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
Jun 3, 2017, 3:33 am
#1232
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Just got a cashback offer properly tracked giving me 4% back via TopCashBack. Quidco wasn't tracking Marriott properly so I gave TCB a shot (which is weird as they are usually much more consistent than TCB). Happy it tracked and paid properly. If you're booking at Marriott - can't go wrong with 4% off via cb.
Jun 3, 2017, 9:19 am
#1233
Join Date: May 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Silver, MRP Platinum, Marriott Vacation Club Chairman, SPG Platinum, Cunard Platinum,
Posts: 967
Just got a cashback offer properly tracked giving me 4% back via TopCashBack. Quidco wasn't tracking Marriott properly so I gave TCB a shot (which is weird as they are usually much more consistent than TCB). Happy it tracked and paid properly. If you're booking at Marriott - can't go wrong with 4% off via cb.
I wish I'd known about this site sooner. With each 1000 USD spent I would have netted back $40.
Well this is the route I'll be using to reserve rooms in the future. I am kicking myself for not knowing, and not researching, a payback site like TopCashBack!
But I'll be sure to use it in the future. Again, thanks for the post!
Jun 8, 2017, 2:22 pm
#1234
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 423
I have gold status due to my AMEX Plat. Does the free upgrade on rooms only apply when you pay the accomdation in $ (for example, pick the cheapest regular guest room but free upgrade)? Or does it also apply when you use your points (for example, pick the regular guest room for 15000/nite but free upgrade to larger guest corner room)???
Jun 8, 2017, 4:55 pm
#1235
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
I have gold status due to my AMEX Plat. Does the free upgrade on rooms only apply when you pay the accomdation in $ (for example, pick the cheapest regular guest room but free upgrade)? Or does it also apply when you use your points (for example, pick the regular guest room for 15000/nite but free upgrade to larger guest corner room)???
- Tom
Jun 9, 2017, 2:48 pm
#1236
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
I'm already keeping a private list (not postable, but available by PM request) of obscure booking sites for LNF, so if anyone besides me would like to have a list of "easy/tough to deal with hotels for alternative payment methods," someone else will need to keep that list.
The following errors occurred with your submission:
USirritated has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.
Confused :-)
Steph
Jun 30, 2017, 5:36 pm
#1237
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,004
Use gift card with just the digits and pin?
I left my gift card at home but have a photo with the digits and pin. Can the hotel process the card even though I can't physically present it?
I will be redeeming a 3 other physical gift cards, so hopefully it appears more legit.
I will be redeeming a 3 other physical gift cards, so hopefully it appears more legit.
Jul 1, 2017, 6:20 am
#1238
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
Yes. Marriott has been using e-gift cards for years and I present scraps of paper to the FD for payment. Of course you will need to find a hotel employee who knows how to process a Giv-Ex (gift card vendor) payment, which could be the greater challenge.
Jul 21, 2017, 5:12 am
#1240
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Has anyone had trouble getting cashback from TCB for Marriott bookings that made 7 months in advance? Any hint on how to secure the cash back? TIA!
Jul 21, 2017, 3:11 pm
#1241
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Marriott Titanium; UA 1K; Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 441
Unfortunately, I don't have any great hints on how to secure the cash back as I am only successful less than half the time. If I cannot find the transaction in my account (so I can submit a missing claim), I open a ticket and let them know the time and date of the transaction. Then they will make it so I can open a missing claim with that information. Sometimes they pay out, sometimes they don't. I have been denied for making a booking that they say isn't eligible due to rate type but their reason for denial is bs as I have had payment denied and been paid for back to back reservations made the same way with the same rate. They are very unreliable... Not sure how much is TCB's fault vs Marriott's.
Jul 21, 2017, 6:39 pm
#1242
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
Yes, unfortunately I have had issues with TCB as well (even for reservations not made that far in advance).
Unfortunately, I don't have any great hints on how to secure the cash back as I am only successful less than half the time. If I cannot find the transaction in my account (so I can submit a missing claim), I open a ticket and let them know the time and date of the transaction. Then they will make it so I can open a missing claim with that information. Sometimes they pay out, sometimes they don't. I have been denied for making a booking that they say isn't eligible due to rate type but their reason for denial is bs as I have had payment denied and been paid for back to back reservations made the same way with the same rate. They are very unreliable... Not sure how much is TCB's fault vs Marriott's.
Unfortunately, I don't have any great hints on how to secure the cash back as I am only successful less than half the time. If I cannot find the transaction in my account (so I can submit a missing claim), I open a ticket and let them know the time and date of the transaction. Then they will make it so I can open a missing claim with that information. Sometimes they pay out, sometimes they don't. I have been denied for making a booking that they say isn't eligible due to rate type but their reason for denial is bs as I have had payment denied and been paid for back to back reservations made the same way with the same rate. They are very unreliable... Not sure how much is TCB's fault vs Marriott's.
Jul 22, 2017, 8:17 am
#1243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
I agree that TCB is worse than other CB sites, my favourite is Mr. Rebates - it didn't track for some big items for some reason and I was too slow in discovering them so I lost about $50 in cashback.
TCB gives 5% for Marriott and Mr. Rebates's rate is 3%, and I'm making a 10 nights reservation so the difference in cash back is substantial.
Aug 10, 2017, 3:59 am
#1245
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
It looked like Ritz GC are only good at Ritz hotels so I haven't pursued that.
Can anyone confirm that?