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
Jan 31, 2017, 9:27 am
#1216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
First post. Great community here! I have a question and I hope this is the right place for it.
Currently there is a 500 mile bonus for a $200 spend through aadvantageeshopping. My AMEX card is also offering 3000 MR points for $200+ spent at Marriott thru 2/28/2017, up to a total for 6000 points. It stipulates room rate and room charges.
Do you guys think it would work for me to buy a $200 Marriott GC? I'm hoping to get the AA miles and AMEX points bonus. Considering I'm also working on a spend bonus for my AMEX, I thought I could just buy the GC and use it in the future.
Currently there is a 500 mile bonus for a $200 spend through aadvantageeshopping. My AMEX card is also offering 3000 MR points for $200+ spent at Marriott thru 2/28/2017, up to a total for 6000 points. It stipulates room rate and room charges.
Do you guys think it would work for me to buy a $200 Marriott GC? I'm hoping to get the AA miles and AMEX points bonus. Considering I'm also working on a spend bonus for my AMEX, I thought I could just buy the GC and use it in the future.
Feb 8, 2017, 5:39 am
#1217
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
Once again, Ebates is offering 5% on Marriott reservations. Not sure how long the offer is good, though.
Also offering a special $25 per day credit on selected properties in California, Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana with promo code YX1:
Terms and Conditions
Valid seven days a week through 3/31/17. Offer availability varies by participating hotels. Hotel credit is available to use in select hotel food and beverage outlets. Please confirm with the front desk at check-in for details. Daily (based upon number of nights stayed) credit of up to $25 will be applied to folio upon check-out. Any unused portion of the daily credit will not be refunded and may not be used on another day. Cannot be applied to room rate or be redeemed for cash. The hotel credit adjustment is inclusive of all applicable taxes and service charges in the departments/outlets in which the hotel credit may be applied. Must quote promotional code YX1 to receive the promotional rate. Some hotels may not be available at the rates shown. Void where prohibited. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations.
Also offering a special $25 per day credit on selected properties in California, Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana with promo code YX1:
Terms and Conditions
Valid seven days a week through 3/31/17. Offer availability varies by participating hotels. Hotel credit is available to use in select hotel food and beverage outlets. Please confirm with the front desk at check-in for details. Daily (based upon number of nights stayed) credit of up to $25 will be applied to folio upon check-out. Any unused portion of the daily credit will not be refunded and may not be used on another day. Cannot be applied to room rate or be redeemed for cash. The hotel credit adjustment is inclusive of all applicable taxes and service charges in the departments/outlets in which the hotel credit may be applied. Must quote promotional code YX1 to receive the promotional rate. Some hotels may not be available at the rates shown. Void where prohibited. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations.
Feb 8, 2017, 2:48 pm
#1218
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 819
Marriott Gift Cards
I would like a $50 gift card to give to a friend. How many points would I get if I use a MR Visa? When would they post?
In past years I've gotten gift cards at the end of the year and there was double the amount of points. Did I miss that in '16?
In past years I've gotten gift cards at the end of the year and there was double the amount of points. Did I miss that in '16?
Feb 9, 2017, 5:54 am
#1219
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
They haven't had those promos in about 3 years. I for one definitely miss that 10% off they offered around the end of the year.
Feb 9, 2017, 6:54 am
#1220
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
The points post to your MR account when the monthly credit card bill that includes the gift card purchase is sent out.
Mar 5, 2017, 6:21 am
#1222
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Midwest
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Diamond, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver
Posts: 571
Why is so hard for Marriott properties to figure out how to use gift cards. Last month I was at a Fairfield and the GM checked me in and didn't know how to use the travel card. (He made some calls and had it fixed overnight). And than today I was at a residence inn, told them I had egcs and they said I should bring them down when I was checking out. Ff to this am and the same fdc didn't know how to enter them (the paper says use the givex system). He will apply and updated portfolio by noon. Will be interesting to see what happens. Just frustrated that they have such a hard time with a simple payment method
Mar 10, 2017, 9:10 pm
#1224
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Why is so hard for Marriott properties to figure out how to use gift cards. Last month I was at a Fairfield and the GM checked me in and didn't know how to use the travel card. (He made some calls and had it fixed overnight). And than today I was at a residence inn, told them I had egcs and they said I should bring them down when I was checking out. Ff to this am and the same fdc didn't know how to enter them (the paper says use the givex system). He will apply and updated portfolio by noon. Will be interesting to see what happens. Just frustrated that they have such a hard time with a simple payment method
Mar 15, 2017, 11:34 pm
#1225
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,584
Why is so hard for Marriott properties to figure out how to use gift cards. Last month I was at a Fairfield and the GM checked me in and didn't know how to use the travel card. (He made some calls and had it fixed overnight). And than today I was at a residence inn, told them I had egcs and they said I should bring them down when I was checking out. Ff to this am and the same fdc didn't know how to enter them (the paper says use the givex system). He will apply and updated portfolio by noon. Will be interesting to see what happens. Just frustrated that they have such a hard time with a simple payment method
Apr 20, 2017, 9:22 pm
#1226
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 19
Maximizing Marriott Rewards
I'm going to be staying at the AC Marriott, Juan Les pins near antibes, France in August for 4 nights. Originally I was going to book The Room through City concierge for the 4th night free benefit. While shopping around to compare rates, i discovered that the price listed on the Marriott site is significantly higher than the same room available through hotels.com. The difference is around $150 per night. Then I saw the Marriott BRG deal (!) and realized this was essentially the same value as the prestige 4th night free, but better because I could use my Marriott card and earn additional points. Now I'm wondering about other ways to make this an even better deal.... for example using a portal for Marriott where I could earn 4% cashback? I'm also trying to make sense of whether it would be better to use my Marriott card for the purchase (3×??) or go to Home Depot and buy a Marriott giftcard and get 5% back with discover. Or even better, use another a portal to go to Home Depot online (or Staples with my ink card) to buy a Marriott giftcard. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options-- can anyone weigh in here and tell me what I might be missing or the best way to proceed with getting most out of this deal?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Apr 21, 2017, 1:43 am
#1227
Moderator, Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: www.V-Flyer.com
Programs: VS Red, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium - earned out of our own pocket!.
Posts: 2,394
Have your read the sticky at the top of the forum, which answers your questions many, many times over?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ks-promos.html
Nick
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ks-promos.html
Nick
Apr 21, 2017, 6:14 am
#1228
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I'm going to be staying at the AC Marriott, Juan Les pins near antibes, France in August for 4 nights. Originally I was going to book The Room through City concierge for the 4th night free benefit. While shopping around to compare rates, i discovered that the price listed on the Marriott site is significantly higher than the same room available through hotels.com. The difference is around $150 per night. Then I saw the Marriott BRG deal (!) and realized this was essentially the same value as the prestige 4th night free, but better because I could use my Marriott card and earn additional points. Now I'm wondering about other ways to make this an even better deal.... for example using a portal for Marriott where I could earn 4% cashback? I'm also trying to make sense of whether it would be better to use my Marriott card for the purchase (3×??) or go to Home Depot and buy a Marriott giftcard and get 5% back with discover. Or even better, use another a portal to go to Home Depot online (or Staples with my ink card) to buy a Marriott giftcard. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options-- can anyone weigh in here and tell me what I might be missing or the best way to proceed with getting most out of this deal?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Apr 21, 2017, 11:15 am
#1229
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
I'm also trying to make sense of whether it would be better to use my Marriott card for the purchase (3×??) or go to Home Depot and buy a Marriott giftcard and get 5% back with discover. Or even better, use another a portal to go to Home Depot online (or Staples with my ink card) to buy a Marriott giftcard.
Apr 23, 2017, 1:24 am
#1230
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
I'm going to be staying at the AC Marriott, Juan Les pins near antibes, France in August for 4 nights. Originally I was going to book The Room through City concierge for the 4th night free benefit. While shopping around to compare rates, i discovered that the price listed on the Marriott site is significantly higher than the same room available through hotels.com. The difference is around $150 per night. Then I saw the Marriott BRG deal (!) and realized this was essentially the same value as the prestige 4th night free, but better because I could use my Marriott card and earn additional points. Now I'm wondering about other ways to make this an even better deal.... for example using a portal for Marriott where I could earn 4% cashback? I'm also trying to make sense of whether it would be better to use my Marriott card for the purchase (3×??) or go to Home Depot and buy a Marriott giftcard and get 5% back with discover. Or even better, use another a portal to go to Home Depot online (or Staples with my ink card) to buy a Marriott giftcard. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options-- can anyone weigh in here and tell me what I might be missing or the best way to proceed with getting most out of this deal?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!