Mar 4, 2019, 1:50 pm
Last edit by: mahasamatman
NOTE: this thread is for discussing promotions and discounts on gift card purchases and cash-back rebate sites etc.
Discussion about gift card usage can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html
For more details, see the first post of this thread: New to this thread? Start here: Intro - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18858149-post1.html
You can use Marriott gift cards to pay for Marriott stays (not applicable for discounted prepaid rates), resort fees and parking fees, treatments at the spa, dining at Marriott properties and more. Keep in mind, however, that some Marriott brands do not accept Marriott gift cards. This includes Bulgari, Design Hotels, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and possibly more.
Historical portal earning and noticeable deals and discounts (July-2020):
Rakuten: 1.5%
MrRebates: 0%
TopCashBack & BeFrugal:
Discussion about gift card usage can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html
For more details, see the first post of this thread: New to this thread? Start here: Intro - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18858149-post1.html
You can use Marriott gift cards to pay for Marriott stays (not applicable for discounted prepaid rates), resort fees and parking fees, treatments at the spa, dining at Marriott properties and more. Keep in mind, however, that some Marriott brands do not accept Marriott gift cards. This includes Bulgari, Design Hotels, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and possibly more.
Historical portal earning and noticeable deals and discounts (July-2020):
Rakuten: 1.5%
MrRebates: 0%
TopCashBack & BeFrugal:
Asia Pacific: 5%
Europe, Africa, etc: 5%
US/Canada Properties: 3%
US/Canada Properties: 3%
There are others as well. See evreward.com and cashbackmonitor.com for other current deals.
Pros and cons of buying hotel Gift Cards:
Pros:
1. 15% discount. We do not get additional earning from credit card since we would have earned the same points by paying with cash (credit card)
2. Good for mattress runs at reduced costs. Assume score lower room rates.
Cons:
1. Commitment to a single brand Marriott. Eliminate the flexibility of stays with Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and other brands.
2. GCs are prepaid funds. The funds do not earn anything (interest). We lose the time value of money. The longer we do not use the GCs, we more we lose.
3. GC values are not protected (perishable). The physical GCs can get lost or stolen. We may forget to use the GCs. The GCs can be hacked and value drained. After the GC purchases, the credit card protection is gone.
4. GCs are not accepted at all hotels. Marriott hotels are more decentralized and it carries so many brands. Some do not follow Marriott rules and they may not accept those GCs even though they should. A lot hotels overseas do not accept the GCs.
5. GCs have limitation. At current time, they can't be used to book prepaid hotel stays. This defeats the main purpose of buying the GCs. The GC holders are not entitled for the discounted hotel rates.
6. GCs are dominated in US $ only. Even if they are accepted at foreign location, GC holders lose further more from foreign exchange. With credit card, we may get to choose to charge in USD $ or local currency.
7. GCs can't be redeemed for cash. If GC holders ever want to get the cash out of the GCs due to financial hardship, they can only be sold at the secondary markets like eBay etc. at steep costs.
To check card balance, visit gifts.marriott.com.
For Customer Service call +1 800.442.6132 or email [email protected].
Gift Card Registration: Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered on gifts.marriott.com. Value of replaced card will equal balance on card at the time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged.
Notes:
1) If you make an LNF/BRG adjustment to your reservation you will still get cash back.
DIRECTIONS FOR A HOTEL TO PROCESS A GIFT CARD
Click on Givex icon
Enter login and password info at 2 levels
- property info
- employee info (password is birthdate MMDD, at least at this property)
Enter gift card number
Click on Check Balance (other 2 options are Activate and Redeem)
Click on Redeem
Enter amount to use
Enter card number again
Click Calculate
Click Submit
I used an e-gift card and a plastic one. It’s the same process for both. No swiping.
Enter login and password info at 2 levels
- property info
- employee info (password is birthdate MMDD, at least at this property)
Enter gift card number
Click on Check Balance (other 2 options are Activate and Redeem)
Click on Redeem
Enter amount to use
Enter card number again
Click Calculate
Click Submit
I used an e-gift card and a plastic one. It’s the same process for both. No swiping.
MASTER THREAD: Current Marriott Gift Card, Cash Back, Tricks & Promos
Oct 6, 2014, 2:26 pm
#916
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
Top Cash Back now 5% on most Marriott properties (maybe all). Ends in "six days" (12 October?)
http://www.topcashback.com/marriott-international/
http://www.topcashback.com/marriott-international/
Oct 6, 2014, 2:53 pm
#917
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Top Cash Back now 5% on most Marriott properties (maybe all). Ends in "six days" (12 October?)
http://www.topcashback.com/marriott-international/
http://www.topcashback.com/marriott-international/
Oct 10, 2014, 2:59 pm
#920
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
Marriott cards have disappeared from the MyPoints store. I'm wondering if they sold out and won't be stocking any more since Marriott cards disappeared from rewards redemption a while back.
Oct 11, 2014, 5:29 am
#921
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Interesting. Please keep me updated on this... I will remove from the OP if it looks like it's truly dead.
Oct 13, 2014, 6:26 pm
#922
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
I was right about MyPoints store no longer being a source of gift cards. I emailed customer service and got this reply:
"At this time - Marriott is no longer participating in loyalty programs - so we will no longer be offering Marriott gift cards as a redemption option. We are trying to find another travel option for our members and we hope to have one available soon."
"At this time - Marriott is no longer participating in loyalty programs - so we will no longer be offering Marriott gift cards as a redemption option. We are trying to find another travel option for our members and we hope to have one available soon."
Oct 14, 2014, 2:34 pm
#924
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
I was right about MyPoints store no longer being a source of gift cards. I emailed customer service and got this reply:
"At this time - Marriott is no longer participating in loyalty programs - so we will no longer be offering Marriott gift cards as a redemption option. We are trying to find another travel option for our members and we hope to have one available soon."
"At this time - Marriott is no longer participating in loyalty programs - so we will no longer be offering Marriott gift cards as a redemption option. We are trying to find another travel option for our members and we hope to have one available soon."
Nov 6, 2014, 7:25 am
#927
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Programs: MR Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 108
Amex has a new $50 off $200 only at FS Marriotts. Tweet #AmexMarriott with a synced card.
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/54369
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/54369
Nov 7, 2014, 4:29 am
#928
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
Amex has a new $50 off $200 only at FS Marriotts. Tweet #AmexMarriott with a synced card.
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/54369
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/54369
Nov 7, 2014, 10:33 am
#929
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
As long as you purchase at a FS Marriott in person (not online), the credit should post. If uncomfortable, make sure you're subscribed to Amex email alerts, try one, and make sure you get the email confirmation (which is typically instant). This works out to a 25% discount - about as good as it gets. I used Tweetdeck to sync 15 accounts and will snag $3,000 worth of creidt for $2,250 this week.