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
Mar 27, 2019, 9:52 pm
#1488
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Canada
Programs: Air Canada SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 331
Some of the emails I get from Aloft or Delta's don't mention non-commissionable... those from Westin clearly do.
Does the lack of this phrase in a confirmation mean this reservation is commissionable? Any other way to confirm this status?
Thanks!
Mar 28, 2019, 7:13 pm
#1489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,026
there is really no good way of doing this. BAR, ADV, member (std. discount), LTS, S4B and such rates are almost always commissonable. Corporate rates, extra discount rates, extra point rates and similar ... are almost never. All the other ones in-between ... hard to tell.
Mar 29, 2019, 1:57 pm
#1493
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
Free Breakfast Promotion legit?
Not sure if this is the right thread but I got an email from Bonvoy saying "Enjoy a Free Breakfast". It says that the offer is good for 2 adults and children under 17. They said it is at "participating" hotels in U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America. Anyone else get this email and have any idea if "participating" is very limiting? It says the free breakfast is valued at up to $40, so that seems to be breakfasts that one would get at the better properties.
I just did a dummy booking and it doesn't seem like the breakfast is exactly "free". The rates they are quoting that include the breakfast are $50 more than the pre-pay and save rate. Even compared to the standard member rate it is $28 more.
I just did a dummy booking and it doesn't seem like the breakfast is exactly "free". The rates they are quoting that include the breakfast are $50 more than the pre-pay and save rate. Even compared to the standard member rate it is $28 more.
Last edited by HIFlya; Mar 29, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Mar 29, 2019, 3:17 pm
#1495
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,918
I just started ebates earlier this year so I'm waiting for my first one, but the payment schedule is explained here:
https://www.ebates.com/help/article/...s-115009255748
https://www.ebates.com/help/article/...s-115009255748
Mar 29, 2019, 3:51 pm
#1496
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Ambassador, AA Platinum, Avis Pres Club, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 563
I just started ebates earlier this year so I'm waiting for my first one, but the payment schedule is explained here:
https://www.ebates.com/help/article/...s-115009255748
https://www.ebates.com/help/article/...s-115009255748
Mar 29, 2019, 8:02 pm
#1497
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,918
I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.
You visit ebates, you follow their link to Marriott, you book (you'll get a confirmation email from ebates), you actually complete the stay, some time thereafter you get another email from ebates, and then presumably get paid according to the schedule linked in my previous reply.
You may or may not need to disable ad/privacy blockers for both eBates and/or Marriott.
If your question goes beyond this I really would suggest reading the eBates site and help pages.
You visit ebates, you follow their link to Marriott, you book (you'll get a confirmation email from ebates), you actually complete the stay, some time thereafter you get another email from ebates, and then presumably get paid according to the schedule linked in my previous reply.
You may or may not need to disable ad/privacy blockers for both eBates and/or Marriott.
If your question goes beyond this I really would suggest reading the eBates site and help pages.
Mar 31, 2019, 7:08 am
#1498
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,026
Mar 31, 2019, 7:25 am
#1499
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Ambassador, AA Platinum, Avis Pres Club, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 563