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
Aug 12, 2022, 10:03 am
#3751
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott, United, Jetblue
Posts: 157
Please convince as many readers as possible to select FNA, less elite competition the better.
Aug 12, 2022, 11:16 am
#3752
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Aug 12, 2022, 5:26 pm
#3753
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,210
If we want to define value as the retail price of the elements (and in this case the retail price of the suite from a successful SNA redemption) then we would also have to agree that hotel resort fees offer really great value for the small price paid. I don't think many would go along with that.
There, hopefully I've made a convincing argument for FNAs over SNAs and you can continue your #winning streak of successful redemptions.
Aug 12, 2022, 9:11 pm
#3754
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
The reason I choose FNA instead of SNA is I’ve been upgraded plenty of times for free and without using SNAs. I’ve never had a hotel offer me a free night unless something catastrophic has happened. So for me FNAs hold a lot more value than SNAs.
Aug 12, 2022, 9:29 pm
#3755
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Totally agree! A FNA is guaranteed. A SNA is not.
Aug 14, 2022, 11:35 pm
#3756
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,579
I admire your ambition. You're combining two precarious Marriott processes to a single reservation with apparent success: one manual (requesting connecting rooms directly with the hotel) and one automated (applying SNAs online to the reservation). This is a real white-knuckle roller-coaster of hazards. I salute you.
Used SNAs for the first time two weeks ago at the Westin Hapuna x 2 rooms x 5 nights. Since we needed connecting rooms, emailed the hotel when I made the reservations to ask what rooms I should request that had a connecting/adjoining option? A manager was very responsive and quickly emailed back what I could request that could still be connected (most SNA options could be) and at the time they also moved our base partial ocean view award rooms to ocean view rooms (which was appreciated - but also locked me out of being able to request the SNAs for about 24 hours).
Was excited for a second when I logged in at +5 days and saw that my SNA requests were confirmed! Unfortunately neither SNA request snagged an actual suite, but it did take our rooms up another category to Premier Ocean View rooms. The view was really nice.
These were my awards for earning Platinum in 2019 and 2020, set to expire today. Despite re-qualifying for Plat in 2020 and 2021, almost all my stays were at Residence Inns where I had already booked the highest room category. So this was my first chance to try and use SNAs and my only opportunity before expiration. Given that plus using them on award stay, feel good about my first experience.
Trying again next month in Brisbane - they have only 1 suite type available that has a connecting option, and getting that is my only way to have connecting rooms with a river view (without paying for it) - so hoping for the best.
Was excited for a second when I logged in at +5 days and saw that my SNA requests were confirmed! Unfortunately neither SNA request snagged an actual suite, but it did take our rooms up another category to Premier Ocean View rooms. The view was really nice.
These were my awards for earning Platinum in 2019 and 2020, set to expire today. Despite re-qualifying for Plat in 2020 and 2021, almost all my stays were at Residence Inns where I had already booked the highest room category. So this was my first chance to try and use SNAs and my only opportunity before expiration. Given that plus using them on award stay, feel good about my first experience.
Trying again next month in Brisbane - they have only 1 suite type available that has a connecting option, and getting that is my only way to have connecting rooms with a river view (without paying for it) - so hoping for the best.
I am going to attempt this (upgrading 1 of 2 rooms and getting them to connect) again in Germany in December with my 3 remaining SNAs - will see how it goes.
Last edited by dbuckho; Aug 14, 2022 at 11:41 pm
Aug 16, 2022, 6:14 am
#3758
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
I agree with ftrichard. In the end, determining the value one yields from a SNA vs. a FNA, is in what value, monetary or otherwise, that we place on the benefits on having a suite. I use my FNA's judiciously, with an eye to value, quality and location. I rarely use my SNA's, as I usually get upgraded due to relationships I have forged with the properties in which I stay. In others, their suites must be desirable, not just two regular rooms with an open connecting door and a sofa in lieu of a bed. I recently spent three weeks in Australia where I alternated between Bonvoy, Hilton and IHG properties. I had suites in all my Bonvoy hotels without using a SNA. At Hilton I had one of my two stays in a suite and none at all with IHG.
Last edited by flyme2; Aug 16, 2022 at 7:25 am Reason: typo
Aug 17, 2022, 3:09 am
#3759
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
I agree with ftrichard. In the end, determining the value one yields from a SNA vs. a FNA, is in what value, monetary or otherwise, that we place on the benefits on having a suite. I use my FNA's judiciously, with an eye to value, quality and location. I rarely use my SNA's, as I usually get upgraded due to relationships I have forged with the properties in which I stay. In others, their suites must be desirable, not just two regular rooms with an open connecting door and a sofa in lieu of a bed. I recently spent three weeks in Australia where I alternated between Bonvoy, Hilton and IHG properties. I had suites in all my Bonvoy hotels without using a SNA. At Hilton I had one of my two stays in a suite and none at all with IHG.
Marriott - get a suite more often than not
Hilton - rarely get a suite
IHG - never get a suite
Marriott still seems to act in the spirit of the T&Cs from the integrated program, which mirror the excellent SPG program in terms of suite upgrade policy for top tier elites.
In Hilton I guess you can up your success rates if you push really hard (like DCS or a friend of mine who's LT Diamond) but god only knows what you have to do in IHG - I guess you have to be RA or you can whistle.
These days I'm travelling solo so I don't care so much. A decent view and a good desk to work at is the main thing I need.
Aug 17, 2022, 10:46 am
#3760
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX/NYC
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, HH G, BR Diamond/*G, BAEC Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 567
Aug 17, 2022, 11:19 am
#3761
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Aug 20, 2022, 12:50 pm
#3763
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MSY
Programs: DL: PM; Marriott: Titanium; National: Executive
Posts: 6
Use SNA with Senior Rate
Have a trip to London Renaissance St. Pancras booked in October - we're traveling with my parents so have booked senior rates. I'd like to use SNAs to try for upgrades on both rooms but don't see the button/choice online. Do I reach out to the property directly? Any tips/advice?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 20, 2022, 3:26 pm
#3764
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Have a trip to London Renaissance St. Pancras booked in October - we're traveling with my parents so have booked senior rates. I'd like to use SNAs to try for upgrades on both rooms but don't see the button/choice online. Do I reach out to the property directly? Any tips/advice?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 21, 2022, 4:40 pm
#3765
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
A Data Point on Granting SNAs
Earlier this month, for the first time, I applied SNAs to a reservation for an upcoming reservation (which starts this Friday). Received a confirmation at 2:35 PM (local hotel time) today.
Which answered two not particularly consequential questions that I (as a first-time user) had:
(1) If the "5 days in advance" fell on a Sunday, is it possible for the upgrade to be granted on a Sunday [Yes]
(2) to what time zone does the advertised "2 PM announce time" apply [apparently hotel time zone, which in my case is the same time zone as my mailing address].
YMMV
Which answered two not particularly consequential questions that I (as a first-time user) had:
(1) If the "5 days in advance" fell on a Sunday, is it possible for the upgrade to be granted on a Sunday [Yes]
(2) to what time zone does the advertised "2 PM announce time" apply [apparently hotel time zone, which in my case is the same time zone as my mailing address].
YMMV