Well I thought I would report on my experience this last weekend using a(previously acquired of course) BB certificate with the Summer Sleepover rate. I called Marriot twice before the stay to ask, and received one confident 'yes' and one 'I don't see why not."

But when I checked out the guy, when I asked for my certificates, said 'oh, no. that is only when you pay in full with a visa, not when you use a certificate.' I asked him where it said 'in full' and he said it was just assumed. Then I called Marriott, because he was unyielding, and got a customer service person. She said the I don't see why not line. But then when I asked her to tell this to the front desk guy, she said, hold on, let me check with my supervisor. The woman she transferred me to tried to tell me that I couldn't do it, but ended up asking me dumb things, like 'are you trying to use the one that you just got on the rate?" and "Is it expired?"

I got annoyed and said, look, is there an actual policy on this or isn't there? Then when I finally gave the phone to him, he didn't talk to her in my presence, but had called her back while I waited for about 45 minutes.

Then he came out and said well she confirmed that I was right and you can't do this but I am letting you anyway so here you go. Needless to say I wasn't that grateful, seeing as though I couldn't get any straight answer and all of my time was waisted by people who seemed to be trying anything not to let me get this deal.

My questions are, is there an actual policy on this or is it deliberately vague so that individual properties can make their own decisions with individual guests? My natural problem is that how is this deal any different from any other goodies that you get with a rate? For instance, no one argues with my using Bonus Bucks as partial payment if the rate includes free dinner or tickets to a zoo or something else that has a similar monetary value, but it seems to have considerably more trouble attached when the rate includes getting another Bonus Buck. Also, I paid more for this rate that if I had just checked in at their cheapest rate, so essentially I PAID for these certificates, and they tried to yank them from me just because of the form of payment that I had used for part of it.

It seems that the only actual restrictions I can actually get from them are that it is a two night deal where you must use the visa. Other than that they have not been able to nail anything down, though this guy sure tried. I really hate this, because if they are going to have deals like this, they shouldn't try to fight with you over something that is not clear, becuase being made to feel like you are trying to get away with something is not really a fun feeling to have when you are trying to have a relaxing weekend. Also they sure have plenty of customer service people who seem to be giving the green light on this, so that puts us doubly in an awkward position.

Anyone else have any more luck getting more specific answers?