Jul 26, 2016, 5:56 am
Last edit by: Jaenks
Post great vacation hotels worth saving certificates for. Include the State/Country and category and reason.
Canada
Residence Inn Montreal Westmount Category 4
Located right outside the busy downtown but a quick walk or train ride away. Right near shopping center.
Malaysia:
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur Category 4
Great value for a JW, in the heart of the city and excellent service
Phu Quoc, Vietnam:
JW Phu Quoc - Cat 5 - beautiful beachfront resort with rates from $350-$650 ++/night
Bangkok, Thailand:
Three of the full service Marriott properties are Cat 5. All three have central locations and reputation for good elite recognition:
Florida:
Courtyard Fort Lauderdale East Category 5
One of the closest hotels to the beach that is available for cert use and has a free shuttle to take you to the beach
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles:
Renaissance, DT Willemstad. Category 5.
On an ocean harbor, not a swimmable beach, but in the center of the action for nightlife, also for NYE, Mardi Gras, etc. festivities.
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles:
Courtyard, Category 4!
Brand-new hotel. 5--10 minute walk inland from the ocean beach. It's the only major chain hotel on that island, so all other hotels are available only by paying real money.
Quito, Ecuador
JW Marriott, Category 5
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Renaissance Săo Paulo, Cat.5 Very good location,excellent quality of service,pre-confirmed suite upgrades,executive lounge F&B.
Canada
Residence Inn Montreal Westmount Category 4
Located right outside the busy downtown but a quick walk or train ride away. Right near shopping center.
Malaysia:
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur Category 4
Great value for a JW, in the heart of the city and excellent service
Phu Quoc, Vietnam:
JW Phu Quoc - Cat 5 - beautiful beachfront resort with rates from $350-$650 ++/night
Bangkok, Thailand:
Three of the full service Marriott properties are Cat 5. All three have central locations and reputation for good elite recognition:
Renaissance Ratchaprasong
Marriott Suk 57
Marriott Marquis
USAMarriott Suk 57
Marriott Marquis
Florida:
Courtyard Fort Lauderdale East Category 5
One of the closest hotels to the beach that is available for cert use and has a free shuttle to take you to the beach
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles:
Renaissance, DT Willemstad. Category 5.
On an ocean harbor, not a swimmable beach, but in the center of the action for nightlife, also for NYE, Mardi Gras, etc. festivities.
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles:
Courtyard, Category 4!
Brand-new hotel. 5--10 minute walk inland from the ocean beach. It's the only major chain hotel on that island, so all other hotels are available only by paying real money.
Quito, Ecuador
JW Marriott, Category 5
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Renaissance Săo Paulo, Cat.5 Very good location,excellent quality of service,pre-confirmed suite upgrades,executive lounge F&B.
How are you using your Cat 1-4/5 certs?
Jun 11, 2013, 7:26 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
You should be fine. Since one certificate posted, your account has been noted with the changed promo. They can see that you've made the necessary stays for the remaining certificates. I had to call to get my last certificate since the last two stays came on the last weekend.
Jun 12, 2013, 4:15 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,075
Hong Kong - I used the cat 4 certs for a Jan. booking for the new CY. Price is HKD 1300 and it's hard to score LNF. So I think it's a good way to burn my cat 4 certs.
Jun 13, 2013, 11:45 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,503
Used one for Ft. Hood TX for a midweek stay, would have been $99+tax. Used a couple of more for a weekend stay at the Courtyard Milwaukee, rate was about $139+tax/night.
I only value the Cat 4 certs at $80, however, because it most places where I'd use it, I'd be able to successfully bid $70/night for a 3.5* hotel on Priceline.
I only value the Cat 4 certs at $80, however, because it most places where I'd use it, I'd be able to successfully bid $70/night for a 3.5* hotel on Priceline.
Jun 13, 2013, 8:39 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
I still have one Cat. 4 cert. which exp. Jan. 2014. I earned it this Jan. in the Fall/early Winter promo.
For the Summer Unexpected Bonus, I'm assigned to the Cat. 5 certs. If I earn 2, I'll use them this Sep. at the Athens Ledra. Money rate incl. tax is 180 Euros standard or 138 Euros a night non-refundable.
For the Summer Unexpected Bonus, I'm assigned to the Cat. 5 certs. If I earn 2, I'll use them this Sep. at the Athens Ledra. Money rate incl. tax is 180 Euros standard or 138 Euros a night non-refundable.
Aug 12, 2013, 5:36 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;
Posts: 503
Last year my certificate expired before I could find a hotel to use it at. I just received my 2013 certificate. I would have loved to use it in Manhattan in December, but unless I'm willing to go to NJ or queens or brooklyn, its useless again. I also received two free weekend nights from Hilton, any category. I wish Marriott was that generous.
Aug 12, 2013, 5:45 am
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
read Post #10 (2nd para.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21246166
if you believe it!!!!!!!!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21246166
if you believe it!!!!!!!!
Last year my certificate expired before I could find a hotel to use it at. I just received my 2013 certificate. I would have loved to use it in Manhattan in December, but unless I'm willing to go to NJ or queens or brooklyn, its useless again. I also received two free weekend nights from Hilton, any category. I wish Marriott was that generous.
Aug 13, 2013, 9:43 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
Cert + Points?
My apologies if this has been addressed before. But has anyone had any luck using a Cat 1-4 cert plus points to book a higher category hotel? It sucks but the 1-4 alone (even a 1-5) is basically worthless for anywhere I go and would need a hotel. I called CS and basically said to go pound sand. It doesn't surprise me CS is unhelpful but was wondering if anyone had success with this? Thanks.
Aug 13, 2013, 10:10 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
this question has REPEATEDLY been asked and responded to before.........that's why there's a search function on this forum....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21256854
so, except for one poster claiming it can be done all others, including myself, say NO WAY.........
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21256854
so, except for one poster claiming it can be done all others, including myself, say NO WAY.........
My apologies if this has been addressed before. But has anyone had any luck using a Cat 1-4 cert plus points to book a higher category hotel? It sucks but the 1-4 alone (even a 1-5) is basically worthless for anywhere I go and would need a hotel. I called CS and basically said to go pound sand. It doesn't surprise me CS is unhelpful but was wondering if anyone had success with this? Thanks.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:44 am
#54
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Săo Paulo, BR/Miami Beach, FL/NYC/DXB
Programs: HGP DMD, HHonors DMD, SPG PLT, MR PLT
Posts: 2,295
this question has REPEATEDLY been asked and responded to before.........that's why there's a search function on this forum....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21256854
so, except for one poster claiming it can be done all others, including myself, say NO WAY.........
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...l#post21256854
so, except for one poster claiming it can be done all others, including myself, say NO WAY.........
Aug 14, 2013, 1:54 am
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
perhaps YOU look at how long a poster has been member of FT...............
I could care less as I only read the post and respond (accordingly).............
you can ALWAYS put me on ignore if you don't like my style!!!!!!!!!!
I could care less as I only read the post and respond (accordingly).............
you can ALWAYS put me on ignore if you don't like my style!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 14, 2013, 8:33 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: HSV
Programs: Starwood Preferred Guest / Marriott Rewards / Delta Skymiles
Posts: 57
We are travelling from AL to PA for a wedding. With 2 young children, we cannot make the 12 hour drive straight through. I will be using my certificate for a stay-over in a SpringHill Suites about 1/2 way through our trip. 
Aug 14, 2013, 9:20 am
#57
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
Aug 14, 2013, 9:22 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
BTW I'm using my Cat 1-5 certs to actually stay in nice FS Marriott hotels. From the sounds of the complaining on here, one would think these are just entirely worthless scraps of e-paper. Yes, you can't use them in Manhattan, but other cities worth traveling to certainly exist.
I'll be using mine at the Renaissance Suites O'Hare, Marriott O'Hare, Renaissance Grand St. Louis, Marriott at the Renaissance Center Detroit, Cleveland Airport Marriott, etc.
I'll be using mine at the Renaissance Suites O'Hare, Marriott O'Hare, Renaissance Grand St. Louis, Marriott at the Renaissance Center Detroit, Cleveland Airport Marriott, etc.