Originally Posted by chunky649

I brought $400 worth of gift cards when my AMEX had a 20% cash back promo (But $200, get $40 credit). I went to 2 different Marriotts (Courtyard and Spring Hill suites) to buy the the physical gift cards. I got the credit after a few days.

So after I brought the gift cards, I discovered I can't use them on advanced/member price bookings on the website that requires pre-payment. In comparing these rates with the "pay at hotel" rates, there is a BIG difference. So big that it cancels out original 20% discount. In most cases, actually more...

Due to my travel practices, it seems I don't have a good way to spend these gift cards... For business travel, I must use my company credit card. For personal travel, I usually use priceline/hotels.com, and for the rare times I spurge, I pay advanced rates.

Does anyone have any creative usage of these gift cards? I.e. perhaps a marriott hotel that sells other (more liquid) gift cards. Do gift shops (especially overseas) take these gift cards?