Any way to modify [to a higher cat and 'pay the difference'] cert?
 

I get a couple of cat 1-4 SPG free night certificates through my Amex cards every year. Most of the SPG properties I stay at are cat 5+, however. Has anyone had any luck using points or cash to somehow "pay the difference" on these certs to be used at higher category properties?

Nice try! ^ I like your thinking. Unfortunately I don't think that is going to be possible.

Which Amex does this? :confused:

Canadian SPG American Express (personal and business)

We get 2 of these amongst the family from spend on two cards. I find them more and more useless every year due to inflation.

I have never asked, but I notice when you redeem them, that it results in a 10,000 starpoints award credit being actioned against your account with no points withdrawn. I wonder if there is opportunity to pay the difference?

If there is; please let us know!!

Systematically-speaking, it would not be possible to redeem for anything above Category 4.

As far as upgrading the room type at a Category 1 - 4 hotel, perhaps at check-in at the hotel in question, but not before.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC

[email protected]

Free night voucher for cat 1-5. Can you book a 6+ category and pay the difference?
 

I've earned a free night voucher thanks to a "personalised" promo that was offered to me a few months ago. Here is a link with the T&Cs

I was wondering if it could also be used to book a higher category property by paying a difference in cash or points. I doubt it, but I thought I'd double check.

We had a similar question recently, and the post that's now above should help with the answer. :)

i would imagine managers may sometimes confirm in advance if confirming additional cash payment

Adding points to award certificates - does Marriott allow?
 

Between me and the wife - we have several award nights due to cc anniversaries. Most of the Amex ones are capped at 35K per night, so cat 5 properties. The one from Chase RC card is capped at 50K per nights. Can we add extra Marriott points to these certificates to make them usable on higher category properties? We have a modest balance of Marriott/SPG points - and wondering if adding points are allowed.

Example: The Amex cat 5 nights - there are 4 of them, so if we want to use for 4 nights on property with 50K per night requirement, can we add 60K (4x15K) to make it work? Or is that not even allowed?

Thk you in advance.

No, you can not.

Can I top up my free night cert with points?
 

My free night cert is good for up to 25000 points room redemption. A room I'm looking at is 35000. Would I be able to use the free night cert + 10000 points from my account?

This is the third time this topic has shown up this week, although the threads get merged so I suppose it's harder to search for.

You cannot add points to increase the value. You need to find a Cat4 or lower hotel.

Combine Free Night Award + Points for a stay
 

Is it possible to combine a free night award (it says good up to 40,000 points) + 10,000 of my Marriott points, and stay in a 50,000 point hotel?

No. :(