Originally Posted by
Dad to Rei
I am still pretty new to Marriott - moved over after hitting LTD on Hilton, and qualified for Ambassador on my first full year (2024, will do so again this year based upon current travel plans).
My strategy
- For vacations Book the base cash / point rate at the property I want.
- Request only the NUA options that will get me what I want.
- Have a backup (Hilton mostly) property.
- It makes me feel better (more spiteful?) to move my business and spend for that stay
- Cancel the moment i get a reject at the 5 day window. Move my business (for that trip) to Hilton.
I do suspect the more seasoned elites (Flyertalkers specifically) are going to do much like what I am doing.
This is exactly what I just did. Literally.
The danger is the rates can get really high close in. I’m heading to Asia next week for vacation and luckily found good selection/price at Hilton.
If you absolutely want a certain room type at a specific property just avoid NUA and book it.
Be glad they have ambassador with more defined benefits. The old “platinum premier” was a joke.
Im LTT so never need worry about qualification so makes it easy for my to kayak. Smart move to get dual lifetime. Wish I had LT in both programs.
Don’t let the badges fool you. I was a lurker on FT for ages…….
If you stay at one property a lot they should hook you up. MR in general is pretty weak program and it’s hammering miles to a CC where you book award stays is the perk for me.