Originally Posted by rrgg

Hi Marriott Bonvoy Lurker I, II, III,
I understand Marriott is ending the ability to extend a free night award in any circumstances. If true I hope something may be done to address the timing of certificates.

Say one is issued late July, and I have a regular trip in August where I'd like to use it. Sometimes a property is already sold out by then, or due to dynamic award pricing I must reserve back in January before receiving the FNA. Holding a room with points while waiting doesn't work, because swapping in the FNA causes a repricing. Or let's say a FNA is issued 7/31 and I want to use it 8/1 of this year or 8/1 of next year. That's practically impossible.

Some ideas for enhancements:
1) Make them 13-month or 14-month certificates
2) Or let members choose the annual issue month (or effectively change the Amex or Chase card anniversary date)
3) Or let members actively issue the certificate from their Amex or Chase account when ready. So it sits on the card side as a benefit to be exercised. It expires 12 months from the exercise date.
4) Or if a FNA expires, award maybe 1/3 of its value in points to reduce the sting.

Originally Posted by Marykatesmom

5) Unlimited point additions. The irony that both my Ritz and Marriott AMEX’s, 85K isn’t enough to get a “Free Night Award” even with adding 15K to get a free night is astounding.
6). Reserving 1 night a year on points without having the points like the old “Points Saver” that could be swapped out for FNA without changing the points would take care of a lot of nasty repricing surprises.