Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
So much depends on the size of the group, whether the meeting is held during a period of low demand, and the organization's negotiating skills and willing to invest time to obtain good terms. There's also the issue of whether the focus is on getting lots of free rooms, upgrades for organization staff, meeting planners, officers, etc. or good deals for all participants.
That's true from the meeting planner side. Is mostly irrelevant to the MR member.
Anyway, back to the OP. If the conference you're attending has a lower rate than what Marriott is offering on their website, book through the conference organization. Give them your MR # (& have them note in the ressie requests an upgrade if available). If they say they can't (most have spots for reward #s; it's not their first rodeo either), then contact the property directly once you have a confirmation # & have them add your MR# to the ressie. Note that oftentimes the conf reservation # doesn't match Marriott's ressie #'ing system & you have to wait until the organizer transfers over the reservations to the Marriott property. Some of the larger conventions I attend the transfer doesn't happen until 2-3 weeks before the actual conference/convention. Prior to that I have to go through housing bureau. After the transfer I can see the ressie in the Marriott system/can contact Marriott directly.
Cheers.