Aug 27, 2018, 11:55 am
Last edit by: beltway
How do I make a booking using a free-night cert?
Follow these steps:
Can I exchange a soon-to-expire free-night cert for points? Extend its expiration? What if the cert has already expired?- Check the "Use points" box when conducting your search for availability. You can also filter search results by category.
- Select a property from the search results and click "Continue" to view available rooms.
- On the property-specific page, you will see several tabs at the top for various rate categories. You should automatically see award rooms; if not, click "Rewards Points" on the tab at top left.
- Select a room.
- On the reservation confirmation page, under "Choose room features," you should see a highlighted box with a note that "You have eligible e-certificates that match your reservation." Underneath that box will be radio buttons allowing you to attach your cert(s) or, in the alternative, to use points.
Marriott Rewards customer service will normally extend an unexpired free-night cert by one year from the date of the request. (Some members have encountered resistance, especially if they have canceled the associated Chase card; if this happens, hang up and call again later.) Each cert may be extended only once.
We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
If I cancel my card after the annual free-night cert has posted, will I lose the cert?We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
No. Once a cert is in your Marriott account, it will not be clawed back even if you cancel your card to avoid paying the annual fee.
Chase Free Night Certificate - Pre-Aug 2018
Mar 1, 2008, 3:09 pm
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,258
Mar 1, 2008, 3:55 pm
#107
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
Unfortunately, no. You must check in by the expiration date. It will not be extended, since Chase buys the certificates from Marriott. They pay a price, which factors in breakage.
Mar 1, 2008, 5:18 pm
#108
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: AA Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 323
Mar 1, 2008, 7:43 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,258
Mar 1, 2008, 9:02 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: CO Gold, Marriott Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 31
oh man, I was wondering where mine for 2007 was and didn't pay close enough attention to see it posted 5/9/07 so I guess it's expired now.
I guess I should look out for my 08 one
I guess I should look out for my 08 one
Mar 6, 2008, 1:15 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 212
Maybe it's right in front of me, but I can no longer find the list that shows my certificate now that they revised Marriott's website recently.
Is it just me?
Thanks,
Sheila
Is it just me?
Thanks,
Sheila
Mar 6, 2008, 1:40 pm
#112
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
It's still there. Mine just posted on Monday.
On Marriott.com click on Upcoming Reservations right below the Marriott logo in the upper left portion of your window or click on Change/Cancel Reservations at the very top of the page to the right.
Sign into your account when prompted.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and under the heading Unused Certificates you will find your Premier Visa Certficate listed. Once you make a reservation with it, and it has been attached to an award reservation, it will disappear from the Unused Certificates list.
On Marriott.com click on Upcoming Reservations right below the Marriott logo in the upper left portion of your window or click on Change/Cancel Reservations at the very top of the page to the right.
Sign into your account when prompted.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and under the heading Unused Certificates you will find your Premier Visa Certficate listed. Once you make a reservation with it, and it has been attached to an award reservation, it will disappear from the Unused Certificates list.
Mar 7, 2008, 8:48 am
#113
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BOS,PIT
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, JetBlue Mosaic, United Silver
Posts: 461
Just wanted to post that I successfully used my Visa Cat 1-4 cert without any human intervention. I searched for the hotel like I was doing an award reservation and chose a category 4 standard award. I proceeded through the reservation process and on the final page it gave me the option of using the e-cert or points. The e-cert was selected by default. I completed the reservation and enjoyed my stay. No problems at check-in or check-out.
Also interesting to note is that when you get to the page for selecting to use points or e-certs, it tells you the exact expiration date of your cert. So anybody that needs to find out the expiration date can just make a dummy reservation and cancel out at the last page.
Also interesting to note is that when you get to the page for selecting to use points or e-certs, it tells you the exact expiration date of your cert. So anybody that needs to find out the expiration date can just make a dummy reservation and cancel out at the last page.
Mar 7, 2008, 9:19 am
#114
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
Hello,
This is correct; you will receive a slip outlining the reward details when you receive your card in the mail.
I would also recommend contacting the Marriott Rewards (801-468-4000). Any of our representatives can quickly review your account and provide you with the details and expiration date of your Visa reward.
Kind regards,
Marie
Also interesting to note is that when you get to the page for selecting to use points or e-certs, it tells you the exact expiration date of your cert. So anybody that needs to find out the expiration date can just make a dummy reservation and cancel out at the last page.
Kind regards,
Marie
Mar 7, 2008, 2:30 pm
#115
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DFW - North Texas
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Marriot Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum/2022 Titanium
Posts: 960
Mar 10, 2008, 10:20 am
#116
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 212
Marie,
Is there any way to change the issue date of this certificate each year? I know they are normally issued at the annual renewal date of the card, which happens to be a bad time of year for me to travel. Since they are only good for six months, it is difficult every year for me to find a way to use the certificate.
It would be a nice feature if we could select the start day of the six months in some way. I would have much more opportunity to use it if it were issued mid-year. I didn't realize this would be an issue when I applied or I would have just applied six months later.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Sheila
Is there any way to change the issue date of this certificate each year? I know they are normally issued at the annual renewal date of the card, which happens to be a bad time of year for me to travel. Since they are only good for six months, it is difficult every year for me to find a way to use the certificate.
It would be a nice feature if we could select the start day of the six months in some way. I would have much more opportunity to use it if it were issued mid-year. I didn't realize this would be an issue when I applied or I would have just applied six months later.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Sheila
Mar 10, 2008, 3:22 pm
#117
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
Hello,
Unfortunately there is no way to choose when the reward is mailed out. It is an automatic issuance at the time of the visa renewal. It's set up to work this way, as the certificate is a reward benefit for keeping the card another year.
Kind regards,
Marie
Unfortunately there is no way to choose when the reward is mailed out. It is an automatic issuance at the time of the visa renewal. It's set up to work this way, as the certificate is a reward benefit for keeping the card another year.
Kind regards,
Marie
Mar 10, 2008, 8:57 pm
#118
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 114
Another rewards certificate question...
I have both a free night anniversary award certificate (cat 1-5) and a bonus bucks coupon. The terms of the bonus bucks coupon indicate that you have to have a two night paid stay, which is fine. I have a three night stay coming up and I was hoping to use the certificate to cover one night, leaving a two night paid stay, and since I'm paying for two nights, then I should also be able to use the BB coupon...when I called MR to ask about this they said that I could not combine offers. That seems odd since folks can stay for 4 nights and use 2 BB coupons, so why not stay for 3 nights and use one coupon and one free night?
Also, couldn't I get around this by checking out after 2 nights (using the BB) and then checking right back in for a 1 night stay? Seems like a hassle for everyone involved, but since the room is 280 bucks a night, I'd like to be able to use my certificate...
I have both a free night anniversary award certificate (cat 1-5) and a bonus bucks coupon. The terms of the bonus bucks coupon indicate that you have to have a two night paid stay, which is fine. I have a three night stay coming up and I was hoping to use the certificate to cover one night, leaving a two night paid stay, and since I'm paying for two nights, then I should also be able to use the BB coupon...when I called MR to ask about this they said that I could not combine offers. That seems odd since folks can stay for 4 nights and use 2 BB coupons, so why not stay for 3 nights and use one coupon and one free night?
Also, couldn't I get around this by checking out after 2 nights (using the BB) and then checking right back in for a 1 night stay? Seems like a hassle for everyone involved, but since the room is 280 bucks a night, I'd like to be able to use my certificate...
Mar 11, 2008, 2:07 am
#119
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
You should be able to make 2 reservations. Make one using the free night cert and then make a 2nd reservation for 2 nights using a BOGO usable rate.
Mar 12, 2008, 6:40 am
#120
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 114
Minor detail, but it's BB not BOGO. More importantly, would two reservations entail checking out and checking back in? That seems like such a hassle -- the outcome is exactly the same to Marriott, why make everyone jump through hoops?