Mar 4, 2019, 1:50 pm
Last edit by: mahasamatman
NOTE: this thread is for discussing promotions and discounts on gift card purchases and cash-back rebate sites etc.
Discussion about gift card usage can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html
For more details, see the first post of this thread: New to this thread? Start here: Intro - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18858149-post1.html
You can use Marriott gift cards to pay for Marriott stays (not applicable for discounted prepaid rates), resort fees and parking fees, treatments at the spa, dining at Marriott properties and more. Keep in mind, however, that some Marriott brands do not accept Marriott gift cards. This includes Bulgari, Design Hotels, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and possibly more.
Historical portal earning and noticeable deals and discounts (July-2020):
Rakuten: 1.5%
MrRebates: 0%
TopCashBack & BeFrugal:
Discussion about gift card usage can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html
For more details, see the first post of this thread: New to this thread? Start here: Intro - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18858149-post1.html
You can use Marriott gift cards to pay for Marriott stays (not applicable for discounted prepaid rates), resort fees and parking fees, treatments at the spa, dining at Marriott properties and more. Keep in mind, however, that some Marriott brands do not accept Marriott gift cards. This includes Bulgari, Design Hotels, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and possibly more.
Historical portal earning and noticeable deals and discounts (July-2020):
Rakuten: 1.5%
MrRebates: 0%
TopCashBack & BeFrugal:
Asia Pacific: 5%
Europe, Africa, etc: 5%
US/Canada Properties: 3%
US/Canada Properties: 3%
There are others as well. See evreward.com and cashbackmonitor.com for other current deals.
Pros and cons of buying hotel Gift Cards:
Pros:
1. 15% discount. We do not get additional earning from credit card since we would have earned the same points by paying with cash (credit card)
2. Good for mattress runs at reduced costs. Assume score lower room rates.
Cons:
1. Commitment to a single brand Marriott. Eliminate the flexibility of stays with Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and other brands.
2. GCs are prepaid funds. The funds do not earn anything (interest). We lose the time value of money. The longer we do not use the GCs, we more we lose.
3. GC values are not protected (perishable). The physical GCs can get lost or stolen. We may forget to use the GCs. The GCs can be hacked and value drained. After the GC purchases, the credit card protection is gone.
4. GCs are not accepted at all hotels. Marriott hotels are more decentralized and it carries so many brands. Some do not follow Marriott rules and they may not accept those GCs even though they should. A lot hotels overseas do not accept the GCs.
5. GCs have limitation. At current time, they can't be used to book prepaid hotel stays. This defeats the main purpose of buying the GCs. The GC holders are not entitled for the discounted hotel rates.
6. GCs are dominated in US $ only. Even if they are accepted at foreign location, GC holders lose further more from foreign exchange. With credit card, we may get to choose to charge in USD $ or local currency.
7. GCs can't be redeemed for cash. If GC holders ever want to get the cash out of the GCs due to financial hardship, they can only be sold at the secondary markets like eBay etc. at steep costs.
To check card balance, visit gifts.marriott.com.
For Customer Service call +1 800.442.6132 or email [email protected].
Gift Card Registration: Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered on gifts.marriott.com. Value of replaced card will equal balance on card at the time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged.
Notes:
1) If you make an LNF/BRG adjustment to your reservation you will still get cash back.
DIRECTIONS FOR A HOTEL TO PROCESS A GIFT CARD
Click on Givex icon
Enter login and password info at 2 levels
- property info
- employee info (password is birthdate MMDD, at least at this property)
Enter gift card number
Click on Check Balance (other 2 options are Activate and Redeem)
Click on Redeem
Enter amount to use
Enter card number again
Click Calculate
Click Submit
I used an e-gift card and a plastic one. It’s the same process for both. No swiping.
Enter login and password info at 2 levels
- property info
- employee info (password is birthdate MMDD, at least at this property)
Enter gift card number
Click on Check Balance (other 2 options are Activate and Redeem)
Click on Redeem
Enter amount to use
Enter card number again
Click Calculate
Click Submit
I used an e-gift card and a plastic one. It’s the same process for both. No swiping.
MASTER THREAD: Current Marriott Gift Card, Cash Back, Tricks & Promos
Sep 22, 2016, 10:45 am
#1157
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
When I bought my new laptop the reservations started posting correctly, except for Residence Inn, for some reason. Anyway, since then, because I did not get around to turning off tracking cookies on the new laptop, things have been tracking and paying correctly, with the exception of Residence Inn.
I also almost always end up booking Senior rate, btw.
Sep 22, 2016, 11:20 am
#1158
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
Even with cookies enabled, nothing posted for a bunch of stays the past two years. I finally gave up trying to get the cashbacks and quit using TCB altogether.
Sep 22, 2016, 11:42 am
#1159
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
Sep 23, 2016, 12:07 am
#1160
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
Sep 24, 2016, 6:26 am
#1162
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
The cash back programs do differ in how clearly they communicate updates and how easy they make it to follow your reported click throughs, But ultimately they all pass through the same affiliate program. I happen to prefer mr. Rebates in terms of their communication and login, but I don't have any higher success rate with any particular program - it always works if I'm careful to follow the necessary requirements. Good luck!
Sep 26, 2016, 6:16 am
#1163
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
I've totally given up on TCB. I find them to be extremely slow, you have to continually "nudge" them to get any action, they keep asking for the same information (as though they can't read the "nudge" thread), and they've stiffed me on three hotel stays, two Marriott and one Hilton.
Oh, if everything goes well, they may pay a bit more, but "everything goes well" only about half the time in my experience.
I prefer Ebates.
Oh, if everything goes well, they may pay a bit more, but "everything goes well" only about half the time in my experience.
I prefer Ebates.
Oct 13, 2016, 4:04 pm
#1166
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: California
Programs: Bonvoy - Ambassador; AS - MVP Gold
Posts: 90
Not too sure where to find the answer for this or where to ask this, so I'm asking it here...
I'm currently at 48 nights with Marriott. I have 2 certificates which I can use for 2 free nights. Do certificate nights count towards the yearly nights with Marriott? Or to get to 50 do I need 2 additional paid night stays?
Thanks
I'm currently at 48 nights with Marriott. I have 2 certificates which I can use for 2 free nights. Do certificate nights count towards the yearly nights with Marriott? Or to get to 50 do I need 2 additional paid night stays?
Thanks
Oct 13, 2016, 11:32 pm
#1167
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
Not too sure where to find the answer for this or where to ask this, so I'm asking it here...
I'm currently at 48 nights with Marriott. I have 2 certificates which I can use for 2 free nights. Do certificate nights count towards the yearly nights with Marriott? Or to get to 50 do I need 2 additional paid night stays?
Thanks
I'm currently at 48 nights with Marriott. I have 2 certificates which I can use for 2 free nights. Do certificate nights count towards the yearly nights with Marriott? Or to get to 50 do I need 2 additional paid night stays?
Thanks
Oct 14, 2016, 3:41 am
#1168
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
Check Your Promos
Just looked at my husband's account and he was automatically signed up for a targeted promo. He is gold and is at 29 nights. His promo is stay 14 paid nights to maintain gold for next year.
To bad I need our paid stays for my account.
To bad I need our paid stays for my account.
Oct 25, 2016, 3:42 am
#1170
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: AGS, CAE, ATL
Programs: Delta PM 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 511