Originally Posted by Schnit

I believe Marriott looks at it as you are buying points. It's silly but that's how they are treating it
I had an issue at a hotel trying to pay for the extra $100 with gift card.

$250 cash for base room and $350 for 2 bedroom at residence inn. It was 20,000 points out 20,000 + $100 to upgrade. It all made sense when I booked. The hotel told me they were being reimbursed a total of $100 from Marriott for points and nothing to pay with cash.

Marriott is clearly keeping a huge percent of the upgrade fee, so guess they can't ask hotel to pay for points when they aren't even getting the money