TravelPhotographer

I have about 24 hrs before first of four nights + one night free
to cancel without penalty. But if I then don't show for, e.g.,
airline issues, sickness, etc., how can I both lose points
AND be charged for first night?? Doesn't hotel receive
credit for points? (20K/night) Any strategies for
blocking this potential charge to cc???!!
Thanks in advance for any authoritative advice.

"Considering that your reservation is Marriott Points Reward, it is our duty to inform you of Cancellation and No Show policy. In the unlikely event of late-cancellation or no-show, you will not be able to cover any penalty charges using the reward points.

In case of a Cancellation after the deadline stated in the confirmation or a No-Show, there will be a penalty charge of 165€ (VAT included) that will be charged to the credit card used in the reservation. This charge is equal to the current retail price of the reservation’s first night."

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker

In an instance such as this, the points would be returned to your account and the monetary cancellation policy would apply.

TravelPhotographer

"the points would be returned to your account and monetary cancellation policy would apply."

Thanks for response!
Are there any exceptions? Such as:

a. delayed international flight (weather, strike, mechanical, etc.)
b. medical emergency
c. other unusual out-of-guest-control scenarios?
d. first of 5 nights missed due to a-b-c but 4 remaining nights still wanted by guest

Thanks in advance.

nmpls

I don't know if this is official, but my flight to MEX was delayed 12 hours (from 6pm friday to 6am Saturday) for an 8 night reward stay and the four points just checked me in at 6am without an issue.
I just called ahead and it was cool.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker

Any exceptions allowed would be up to the individual property to decide upon.

paul1268

Fairly new here but Titanium with 400+ lifetime nights with SPG/ Marriott/ Bonvoy and many points bookings. Just received this email and never heard of this policy on a points booking (I have the points). It didn't appear in my booking T & C's. Is this true?

myperks

It is consistent whether it was Marriott or SPG. Cancel before 48 hours and no penalty. Isn’t this just the cancellation policy? The only difference is that if you cancel within 48 hours under SPG, you can ask to forfeit the points instead of the $$$ amount.

MSPeconomist

Unfortunately this is now fairly standard, although SPG gave us the option of paying the no show penalty in points, at the rate in points that was shown on the reservation. Now not only is the payment in money (which can be a real risk at aspirational properties) but it also is at a rate that wasn't put into writing at the time the reservation was made, doesn't reflect discounted rate plans such as AAA that the guest might be entitled to use, and can equal rack rate during high occupancy periods.

paul1268

While I have several points booking in the que, and many in the past, this was the first time I have received this kind of notice. It does appear to be the rack rate as the booking is for January 2020 and the current rate is over $100 less than the penalty. Maybe I missed it but was this visibly disclosed in the actual booking T & Cs? If it wasn't, how would this be OK?

Oxon Flyer

I'm looking at a cash reservation where the Advance Purchase Rate is significantly lower than other rates, but I'm not sure I'll need the reservation. Cancellation policy is "Non-refundable if cancelled more than 1 day after booking".

So one thought is the possibility of doing a rolling "book, cancel the next day and book again" cycle for several days to keep the reservation alive and still allow eventual cancellation.

Doing this is 'legal' within the T&Cs, so setting aside for a moment any opinions as to whether it's ethical or not, can anyone conform what happens when you cancel one of these reservations within the 1 day window ? Is this a straightforward transaction you can do online without any question or complication ? Is your credit card charged then refunded ?

margarita girl

I’ve made some of these reservations when submitting BRGs. You have until midnight hotel time to cancel the reservation. For hotels in Europe, Asia, Oceania the cancel date rolls over at 00:00 GMT (20:00 EDT) so by timing when you make your reservation you can buy yourself an extra day. In Toronto, that means if I made a reservation for Asia at 19:30 tonight, I’d have until 23:59 on Oct 16 (hotel time) to cancel. If I made the reservation at 20:30 tonight, I’d have until 23:59 on Oct 17 (hotel time) to cancel. (I haven’t taken the time to figure out which time zone determines when the date rolls over for the Americas.)

Anyhow, I know you didn’t ask for that but thought you might be interested.

On most reservations, I don’t get charged within the one day window. It has happened 3 times where I was charged immediately out of maybe 15-20 reservations and then had to ask hotel to refund the money since they charged full price. Hope that helps.

Cledaybuck

It looks like Marriott may have finally fixed this. I just made a reservation and it said:
You may cancel your reservation for no charge before 11:59 PM local hotel time on Thursday, February 6, 2020 (2 day[s] before arrival).

LDNConsultant

I think it also depends on your status. Just couple weeks ago the bad weather in NYC (snow) caused me to miss a night in St. Louis. I called my Ambassador and stated that I wont be able to make my flight from LGA-STL and they waived my cancellation fee a

Just today, I had to change my hotel on the day of check in (that I checked in via the app) from Cupertino, CA to San Francisco, CA. I called through my Ambassador whom liaised with the hotel to cancel my reservation without a fee. Often enough the my Ambassador states that its "due to your status and they can override the fee".

honzeek_cz

I have 50+ future reservations for next 12 months and occasionally check for better rates in pricier destinations were I have already made one. Yesterday, I have found cheaper rate in both Aspen and Beaver Creek for next winter.
When checking the total price in original reservations on Marriott.com, I found, to my surprise, that the cancellation policy is "You may cancel your reservation for no charge before 11:59 PM local hotel time on ______ 6, 2020 (60 day[s] before arrival)." I hardly ever book anything with such policy and if so, I mark my calendar to make sure I can cancel before that date. I have not found any note, and cancellation policy in email confirmation I have received is "You may cancel your reservation for no charge before 11:59 PM local hotel time on Thursday, ______ 3, 2020 (2 day[s] before arrival)."

Strangely it was the same case for both properties. So far I have not found any other amended reservation.

Anyone else experienced something like this?

AnotherUnitedGuy

Attempting to book a stay in three weeks, downtown Austin, the Aloft at 7th and Congress. I come across this...admonishment...relative to cancelling this 4-night cash (not redemption) reservation.

14 days in advance. Are you kidding me?I'm accustomed to one and two-day restrictions. A full fortnight is part of reality now? Is anyone else finding this across their needs recently?

ETA: this is a standard-rate, not a prepay-and-save.