Award Stay only avail w/ Upgrade Fee
Dec 22, 2013, 6:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
Award Stay only avail w/ Upgrade Fee
I'm looking at doing an booking at JW Marriott Khao Lak on/around CNY (end of January this time). Seems like from the dates I'm looking at, the only award stays available include a cash upgrade fee. Never saw one of these before. I'm probably going to go ahead and book it because DW and I have been wanting to go again, but the reward rules are giving me pause:
Is this guaranteed upgrade subject to availability? If so, this seems akin to the UA W-Fare lottery!
- This Rate Requires cash amount per night to be charged for guaranteed room upgrade.
- By purchasing this rate you are agreeing to pay for a room upgrade which is subject to availability as part of your Elite member benefits.
Is this guaranteed upgrade subject to availability? If so, this seems akin to the UA W-Fare lottery!
Dec 22, 2013, 6:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,074
I have gotten this many times in the past. Reserve the room and KEEP checking back and see if room opens with no upcharge. This has happened in both San Juan and in London (JW) and with persistence was able to find the room with no upcharge later.
Dec 22, 2013, 7:22 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
Been clicking around a bit more and found one night w/out the charge, but with Chinese New Year, I think I might be SOL to score for the other nights. Another annoying piece is that the fees are non-refundable within 30 days of the stay AND advance pay. Fees are about the rough equiv of 30 USD per night.
Last edited by eleeut; Dec 22, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Dec 22, 2013, 7:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,074
That is when you you use the change feature to the reservation instead of "cancel". Change it for another date 30 days plus out and then "cancel" that one. 
Dec 22, 2013, 7:47 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
why the ? i've never tried that before on an award booking. i'll do the legwork on checking, not expecting someone to spoon feed me here.
? i've never tried that before on an award booking. i'll do the legwork on checking, not expecting someone to spoon feed me here.
Dec 22, 2013, 8:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,074
Wasn't geared to you. It probably isn't not what Marriott intended to be an option, but the system allows this to take place. YMMV. It just saved me in San Juan recently so I know it it works.