Originally Posted by
msp_flyer
I am having the same problem. I have $300 of Mariott gift cards to use. Three nights at the hotel using member advance rate is $618. Called Mariott res but agent says gift cards cannot be used for this rate, i must pay $919. In other words I lose 2/3 value of my gift cards.
Is this legal? Has anyone found a workaround?
At check-in or checkout from the hotel, ask the hotel to change payment to deduct funds from gift card instead and to refund the bank card?
If the hotel cooperates with refunding the bank card so as to deduct the funds from the gift card, just make sure to keep close tabs on the gift card balance if the card value exceeds the cost of the stay as shown on the invoice. I have seen hotels mess this up even on non-prepaid rates.