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
May 25, 2018, 10:50 am
#1277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
The reason I asked is, I am on the phone with a Marriott Reward agent who is seeing a Travel Agency code attached on my reservations booked thru eBates and MrRebates. Therefore the bookings would NOT earned me anything, point, stay and night credits. I called to check was that the Member Rate on a particular property is listed under Package, and is even cheaper than the AAA/Senior rate, but it is listed under "Packages" This got me worried. Finally got hold of the Marriott agent who said on his end the Member Rate was much higher than what I have booked, and there is a Travel Agency code attached to it.
Then I asked him on a Marriott property where I also have a reservation under AAA rate booked thru MrRebates. He said at his end, the rate is the same, BUT it also has the same Travel Agency Code attached to it, therefore NOT eligible to earning.
Wow, I do not know the CB sites even though sending you to the Marriott website to book "direct", it also has an agency code attached, therefore making the booking not eligible to earn?
I understand the code is needed for the tracking for paying back to the CB sites, BUT, would you earn points and stay / night credit booking thru the CB sites? Or I am misinformed by the front line agent who is just alarmed by the Travel Agency Code attached to the booking?
Since many here use the CB sites for their bookings, what are your actual experiences?
May 28, 2018, 9:46 am
#1280
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion, Southwest Companion, United Premier Gold, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 16
If I use my company code for a reduced rate, do I still get the cashback? Just stumbled across this post and it is great if I can 5% cashback on all my Marriott bookings. I spend a ton with them every year. Thanks for any help.
May 28, 2018, 6:56 pm
#1281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Anybody knows how the older giftcards issued before Marriott switched to Visa processing, is processed when the swipe machine is down?
Am at a Springhill now and the swipe machine could not process my older giftcard, (GivEX?). Not sure it is the card itself or the system issue as it keeps timing out. FD manager knows cards cold be manually processed but she did not remember how to convert a 20 /21 digits older gift card to a 16 digits credit card type number to make the system take it - like adding a digit in the front to make it a Visa or an AMEX, then drop a group of digits so the toal would be `6 digits instead of the current 20 and 21 when the last check digit is included.
Card is Active Status, registered, and viewable in Marriott gift card website once I log in my account. I showed this to the FD manager and she had no problem the card should work, but could not make it work. Help desk could not tell her how to manually process it and told her to wait for a call back.
I am hoping the ever so knowledgeable FTers would post an answer.
UPDATE
All 20 digits including the last lone single digit that shows far away from the main groups of digits need to be entered in order for the system to recognize it as valid card. Only manual processing can do, swipe would never work.
See more details,on my other post if interested to know more.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29805509-post2.html
Am at a Springhill now and the swipe machine could not process my older giftcard, (GivEX?). Not sure it is the card itself or the system issue as it keeps timing out. FD manager knows cards cold be manually processed but she did not remember how to convert a 20 /21 digits older gift card to a 16 digits credit card type number to make the system take it - like adding a digit in the front to make it a Visa or an AMEX, then drop a group of digits so the toal would be `6 digits instead of the current 20 and 21 when the last check digit is included.
Card is Active Status, registered, and viewable in Marriott gift card website once I log in my account. I showed this to the FD manager and she had no problem the card should work, but could not make it work. Help desk could not tell her how to manually process it and told her to wait for a call back.
I am hoping the ever so knowledgeable FTers would post an answer.
UPDATE
All 20 digits including the last lone single digit that shows far away from the main groups of digits need to be entered in order for the system to recognize it as valid card. Only manual processing can do, swipe would never work.
See more details,on my other post if interested to know more.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29805509-post2.html
Last edited by Happy; May 29, 2018 at 10:43 am
May 29, 2018, 10:46 am
#1282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Jun 8, 2018, 1:11 am
#1285
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
Jun 11, 2018, 3:01 am
#1286
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bangkok / London
Programs: BA Silver, AmEx Platinum, AVIS Presidents Club, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,106
Acceptance of eGift Cards
I have a Marriott eGift card purchased on the official Marriott website. Tried to use it at the Marriott in Bangkok in the hotel restaurant and they said they don't take it. Does anyone know if these are only valid in specific hotels or if all Marriott's should take them? I know the voucher can't be used in other brands like W, Westin, St Regis etc as per the terms but it doesn't say anything about some Marriott's accepting them and not others. For info, I would like to use it at either the Marriott Marquis Bangkok or the JW Marriott Bangkok.
I am hoping this is just a local issue with one particular staff member but wanted to check just in case. Thanks!
I am hoping this is just a local issue with one particular staff member but wanted to check just in case. Thanks!
Jun 11, 2018, 6:48 pm
#1288
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,055
I have a Marriott eGift card purchased on the official Marriott website. Tried to use it at the Marriott in Bangkok in the hotel restaurant and they said they don't take it. Does anyone know if these are only valid in specific hotels or if all Marriott's should take them? I know the voucher can't be used in other brands like W, Westin, St Regis etc as per the terms but it doesn't say anything about some Marriott's accepting them and not others. For info, I would like to use it at either the Marriott Marquis Bangkok or the JW Marriott Bangkok.
I am hoping this is just a local issue with one particular staff member but wanted to check just in case. Thanks!
I am hoping this is just a local issue with one particular staff member but wanted to check just in case. Thanks!
Jun 13, 2018, 2:24 am
#1290
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: MR Platinum, QRPC Platinum
Posts: 97