YoungBubbie

lovemc

Hi all, I've done a bunch of LNFs before the new program merger, but got my first LNF approval after 8/18 and had a weird situation. The original Marriott rate I booked and the lower price on 3-party were both flexible (free cancellation 2 days prior to check-in), but the current LNF rate changed to non-refundable... I never had such changes before, is this a new thing or it's simply the agent's mistake? I've emailed the person back but haven't got any reply.

RafKa

Bumping this question, which I've also asked in the past... anyone??

travelswithmyself

Oops I forgot. LNF got back to me:

1. You earn points on up to three rooms, but night credit on only one room

2. LNF claims and rewards can be for up to three rooms, not more

3. Yes you can receive 3 x 5000 points

4. They did not answer the question about whether it's better to book 3 rooms in one booking or singly. I personally have done it both ways

5. If you find a multi-day stay, you can book first night and ask for points, and then the remainder in another booking and ask for 25% off.
BUT unlike SPG, they will consider the whole stay as one, and the rates have to be lower. You can't find a rate that is only lower on day 1 and LNF/BRG that and then do another rate on day 2-7. The whole stay will be considered and the rates averaged out.

Regarding this point, even in SPG there have been quibbles about what's allowed and not allowed. Some agents have not approved getting both types of rewards at the same hotel. I would not take what I've written here as 100% accurate even though it came from the LNF team.

doog1000

Looking at the terms it says a claim must be submitted 24 hours prior to checkin. However as recently as May 2018 in this thread people say they have successfully submitted as late as 10pm date of arrival.
Do people know which is correct?

svo242

Wondering if Marriott is as flexible as Starwood was in terms of cancellation policy? I know with Starwood, I would book the flexible/refundable rate, and even if the cheaper rate I found was non-refundable/cancellable, it would still go through. Is this the same with Marriott or no?

shevboyz

No, it won't go through. Have to be same cancellation type.
in fact, the past months, SPG brg has also move towards the same stance with regards to cancellation type as Marriott lnf.

jedicat666

Already merged my accounts and did a BRG claim for St.Regis Istanbul on march 2019. My first ever BRG. Amidst the merger I did not think it would go well, however 13 hours after submission it was approved with a rate of 209 EUR incl tax. ( down from 334eur) Not sure if this is at all good, given the dates are far out, im still a newbie with BRGs.

xar

Hi all,
I have a query on my LNF claim which was rejected.

Here's the details:
1. I booked the room from SPG/MR website at 250 a night. (lowest, non-refundable rate) I booked this in late July 2018 for an upcoming stay in Dec 2018.
2. This week, i found a 3rd party website offering the same room / same date at 240 a night.
3. Next, I went to file for a LNF claim and it was rejected because the agent said that the official SPG/MR website is showing that same room / same date at 235 a night.

They seem to ignore my original reservation rate of 250 which i have already paid for back in July, hence was the agent right to reject my claim? If yes i really do not see any incentive to book early.

Thanks!

azmojo

IIRC, LNF claims have to be submitted within 24 or 48 hours, can't remember, and you're well past that .
​​​​​

xar

T&Cs
You must find a qualifying Comparison Rate and submit a completed claim form within 24 hours of booking the reservation through the Marriott reservation channel, and at least 24 hours before the standard check-in time at the applicable Marriott hotel

Assume I booked the room on 5th July 2018 for a stay on 5th Dec 2018, My interpretation of the above T&Cs is that I am eligible to file a LFN claim between 5th July - 4th Dec 2018.
Thoughts? But strange thing was the agent didn't point out that I missed to eligibility but rather only mentioned that the SPG website was lower and ignored my original (higher) reservation amount.

danger

Did you submit your

?

xar

Nope its been more then 24 hours since i booked but still less then 24 hours before my check in.

danger

On a strict reading of the T&Cs, I'm on your side. The comma is misplaced. But your chances of successfully arguing that are slim to none.

azmojo

The idea, of course, is that Marriott isn't going to try to compete with price changes in the future. Their real guarantee is that you can't find a lower rate anywhere else RIGHT NOW. Your chance is Zero.

Why doesn't their rejection letter mention this? Probably just laziness and selecting the wrong form-letter reply, or they saw more than one reason (legit or not).