Dec 19, 2018, 10:39 am
Last edit by: RedSun
IF YOU HAVE A PREPAID RATE, PLEASE READ THIS WIKI!
Recommended SNA Best Practices:
- According to the Marriott Lurkers in this forum (see post #220 in this thread), as confusing as it sounds, the SNA system is separate from the reservation system, so if a suite is showing as currently unavailable or available on the website, that does not necessarily mean it is currently unavailable or available for SNAs.
As of March 2019, there is an IT bug on Marriott's website that prevents SNAs from being applied to many if not all prepaid reservations. One member has identified a workaround that enables you to "trick" the website into allowing you apply SNAs to prepaid reservation. Several members have reported success using this workaround to apply SNAs to their prepaid reservations. Hopefully Marriott will fix this IT bug in the near future.- After SNAs are redeemed, they are removed from member's account. But they are in pending mode and will only be processed (confirmed or denied) about one week (normally 5 days) prior to actual stay. Any change to the reservation during this pending period may detach the SNAs. Check with reservation agent again to have SNAs re-attached again.
- After SNAs get cleared and confirmed, they are locked with the reservation. Any further changes to the reservation may break the confirmed SNAs. It is a hazard to ask agent to process SNAs again since the SNA processing window is closing
- If your SNA clears, be sure to take a screen shot of what suite category you are assigned in the app and be prepared to show this to the front desk at check-in. Several members have reported being confirmed in certain suite categories when there SNAs have cleared or during mobile check-in only to be assigned lower a category room at check-in. Members who have taken screenshots of their initial SNA assignments have had success in getting properties to honor those original assignments after initially getting assigned inferior rooms at check-in.
- If you are assigned a lower category of room than any of the options offered during the SNA application process and/or if the hotel refuses honor the representations they made at any point during the SNA process, be sure to submit a formal complaint to Marriott and ask for your SNAs used during your stay to be reinstated. If you have followed the screenshot best practice, your screenshot should go a long way towards getting Marriott to eventually refund your SNA, although it may take a long time for customer service to process your request.
Non-Participating Brands:
Not all hotels participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands (subject to change at any time; see Marriott Bonvoy Terms and Conditions for full details): The Ritz-Carlton®, Protea Hotels®, Aloft®, Element®, Design Hotels™, all-suite hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, EDITION®, Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Clubs® and Marriott Grand Residence Club properties. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties. Contact Member Support for individual hotel Suite Night Award participation.From post # 220.
The system is not checking what is available for sale at any marriott.com web site, so you should not be using the web sites as a guide for what is and is not available for SNA approval.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International
FOR ANYONE TRYING TO ADD SNAs TO PRE-PAID NONREFUNDABLE BOOKINGS THAT MARRIOTT IT
CURRENTLY DOESN’T SEEM TO ALLOW, HERE IS A WORK-AROUND. GOOD LUCK!
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30575978-post541.html
All, I believe that I've found a way of getting around Marriott's IT issue where SNA's cannot be used on advance purchase rates. It takes advantage of another error in the Marriott IT system (go figure) where changes in different windows are not handled properly. It seems to work for me - would be great if someone else can confirm.
For this to work, in addition to a pre-paid reservation where SNAs are disabled you need a rate at a hotel where SNA's are eligible - so go book a bog-standard fully flex rate at your local Westin or whatever which you can cancel later if you don't currently have any flexible rates booked.
Log in to Marriott.com and click on "My Trips" (obviously this won't work for people whose trips are still not showing). Open "View/ Modify" in a new browser window/ tab on the flexible reservation first, and then open "View/ Modify" in the non-refundable reservation in another new window/ tab. Go back to the flexible reservation and click on "Start Upgrade Request" and it should take you to a webpage for the pre-paid reservation where you can finally select your SNAs.
For this to work, in addition to a pre-paid reservation where SNAs are disabled you need a rate at a hotel where SNA's are eligible - so go book a bog-standard fully flex rate at your local Westin or whatever which you can cancel later if you don't currently have any flexible rates booked.
Log in to Marriott.com and click on "My Trips" (obviously this won't work for people whose trips are still not showing). Open "View/ Modify" in a new browser window/ tab on the flexible reservation first, and then open "View/ Modify" in the non-refundable reservation in another new window/ tab. Go back to the flexible reservation and click on "Start Upgrade Request" and it should take you to a webpage for the pre-paid reservation where you can finally select your SNAs.
The link for selecting your benefit:
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/
How to cancel an Award request:
Suite Night Award requests may be canceled until 2 p.m. local hotel time the day before you arrive, as long as the Awards have not already been confirmed for use on a reservation. Once your Awards have been confirmed, you must cancel the entire reservation to receive credit back for all the Awards; however, after 2 p.m. local hotel time the day before you arrive, a reservation cancellation will result in the forfeiture of all Suite Night Awards applied to the entire reservation. This is in addition to any other cancellation fees applicable to the reservation itself.NOTE: Always detach the SNA before cancelling a reservation. It's the only way to ensure your SNA is returned to your account immediately. Otherwise, you could be waiting hours/days to see your SNA again.
FAQ : Suite Night Awards - SNA - questions and discussion thread
Jul 26, 2022, 9:08 am
#3721
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
100% agree but both parties had 7-day stays. It just rubs me wrong that upgrades were available at check-in (since they were handing them out), but my SNA request was denied. I would have thought nothing of the SNA denial for a 7-night stay had I not watched the front desk handing out upgrades upon arrival.
Oh and yes, of course I was polite, smiled, etc. I am never the "do-you-know-what-I-think-I-am-entitled-to" kind of traveler. I elevated the issue via Marriott chat and spoke to the front desk manager in person privately.
Oh and yes, of course I was polite, smiled, etc. I am never the "do-you-know-what-I-think-I-am-entitled-to" kind of traveler. I elevated the issue via Marriott chat and spoke to the front desk manager in person privately.
Now that it’s just my wife and I traveling we always try to book Sun-Fri stays to increase the odds of a suite upgrade. Hawaii is always tough. As a platinum my upgrade percentages were like 40% chance, SNA or not. If I could change two things about Bonvoy 1) confirmable upgrades 2) true 4pm elite check out.
Jul 26, 2022, 5:57 pm
#3724
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Jul 27, 2022, 2:11 pm
#3725
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
all the time. Many successful redemptions are listed here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...es-2022-a.html
Jul 27, 2022, 2:51 pm
#3726
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,774
I have used five SNAs this week, in the UK and Germany. The suites acquired have been very high quality and pleasant. I think you have to be tactical with where and when you use them. There is certainly an element of luck.
Jul 27, 2022, 4:43 pm
#3727
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX/NYC
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, HH G, BR Diamond/*G, BAEC Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 567
Jul 27, 2022, 6:11 pm
#3728
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,195
Yet another data point: I used four SNAs on an award stay this coming weekend to a Victoria, BC area property. Cleared several days before arrival, and was upgraded from a studio suite with two queen beds to a one-bedroom corner suite with a king bed and full kitchen. Yes, they do/can work.
Jul 27, 2022, 9:35 pm
#3729
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
It's like trying to redeem Marriott points, and indeed the Marriott program overall - there's still good value to be had, but it requires selective booking (you can't just book any Marriott and expect a great experience) and yes a bit of luck.
Jul 28, 2022, 2:22 am
#3730
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
It's a hit and miss. Used 18 since last November, all in London except for one in Dubai and it was successful. I try to be selective in terms of locations as well to use them.
Jul 31, 2022, 12:21 am
#3731
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 3
Getting two connecting rooms with SNAs?
I was confused by the verbiage on the web site. Is it possible to get a second adjoining room with a SNA? Meaning, I book my standard room; instead of being upgraded to the “presidential suite” or whatever, I ask for a second adjoining room to be paid for with my SNAs?
Jul 31, 2022, 12:29 am
#3732
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
No, unless the hotel has that option as an SNA. Some hotels do have the option of having two connecting rooms to buy or use SNA. I can recall seeing this in one of the Renaissance hotels in Paris.
Jul 31, 2022, 2:46 am
#3733
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,263
- 4 nights in a Rivière Suite at Renaissance Downtown Chicago
- 2 nights (twice) in a Fantastic Suite at W Ibiza
- 1 night in a Deluxe Suite at Castillo Hotel Son Vida (one of my best ever SNAs, a spectacular nearly €2,000 per night suite)
Using them in Asia has felt pointless historically given the high likelihood of upgrades but may be different this year.
Jul 31, 2022, 1:14 pm
#3734
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 352
This is a new one for me. I had a reservation at the Washington DC St. Regis. There was no way to for me to apply an SNA, which is strange as I have used SNAs here in the past. I assumed that this was just one more restriction in the system. But my daughter had a separate reservation for the same night, applied an SNA, and was upgraded two days in advance to a suite. The only difference appears to be that I used a Senior Rate. Could this be the explanation?
Aug 1, 2022, 5:01 pm
#3735
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
This is a new one for me. I had a reservation at the Washington DC St. Regis. There was no way to for me to apply an SNA, which is strange as I have used SNAs here in the past. I assumed that this was just one more restriction in the system. But my daughter had a separate reservation for the same night, applied an SNA, and was upgraded two days in advance to a suite. The only difference appears to be that I used a Senior Rate. Could this be the explanation?