A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,554
Some Marriott-related things to watch out for:
- You need $100 of mileage-eligible spending on your final folio to count as a GS hit. That is always a pre-tax amount.
- At any of the "limited service" Marriott brands (Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield, etc.), incidentals do NOT count towards this total. It may be a nice new Courtyard with a full restaurant and bar, but only the room rate counts.
- At some full-service Marriotts, they sublease space in the hotel to outside restaurants not owned by Marriott. These can accept room charges but usually DON'T count as a mileage-earning incidental.
- Your safest bet is a lobby bar or the hotel's basic breakfast restaurant for a qualifying incidental at a FS hotel. Spas, shops, valet parking services, dry cleaning, etc. - I've had mixed experiences on whether those count or not. You can (and should) confirm with the front desk if you have a question about a specific product or service.
- The parallel Marriott-US Airways 2,000-mile-per-stay promo is very limited: only about 7% of all Marriott properties, and only FS brands in and near North America. (People are discussing this promo in parallel to the Grand Slam, even though they aren't directly related. You can get a hit at almost any Marriott, not just this limited list.)
- Remember to set your Marriott profile to air miles earning. For most Marriott members, this act is so unnatural that it sends shivers down your spine...but for both the GS hits and the 2k promo (if applicable), you must do it before you stay.