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
May 18, 2022, 10:43 pm
#3406
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,335
Good intel, thanks! Did you make your push for the late checkout during check in or through the app beforehand? I'd happily take the earlier checkout in exchange. Not sure if it'll matter as much being a Sunday, but it looks like there is a lot of suite availability on Saturday currently at all levels.
May 18, 2022, 11:37 pm
#3407
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, United Premier Silver, National Executive Elite
Posts: 151
Good intel, thanks! Did you make your push for the late checkout during check in or through the app beforehand? I'd happily take the earlier checkout in exchange. Not sure if it'll matter as much being a Sunday, but it looks like there is a lot of suite availability on Saturday currently at all levels.
May 19, 2022, 1:29 am
#3408
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,302
I believe the best advice is pick only a suite/room you would be happy to receive. This might only be the highest category, or it could be more.
There's zero transparency to the process. I've gotten my first choice and I've gotten my lesser choice.
I also agree with the advice to consider expanding choices if you don't clear on Day 5.
There's zero transparency to the process. I've gotten my first choice and I've gotten my lesser choice.
I also agree with the advice to consider expanding choices if you don't clear on Day 5.
May 19, 2022, 12:18 pm
#3409
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
If you want to expand your choices after day 5, you can do that, but the default is that the system will continue checking for your original selection through T-1.
May 19, 2022, 8:06 pm
#3410
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Tit, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,123
Apparently can’t apply SNAs to St Regis Bahia Beach. I asked Ambassador why and was told “the hotel inventory is limited” and therefore SNAs cannot be used. So dumb - at least allow them and then don’t clear if there isn’t inventory. The SNAs just piss me off with all the games that now exist. Love Hyatt where I can confirm at booking and very few hotels opt out.
May 23, 2022, 11:57 am
#3411
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,165
SNA - no confirmation or waitlist response?
I have some SNA request in, however one of them I never received any confirmation of the request. I can see it in my reservation... however it is also T-4 days to the stay and I also never received any email that normally shows up at T-5 days that either confirms or says that I am still waitlisted for the SNA.
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
May 23, 2022, 8:58 pm
#3412
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
I have some SNA request in, however one of them I never received any confirmation of the request. I can see it in my reservation... however it is also T-4 days to the stay and I also never received any email that normally shows up at T-5 days that either confirms or says that I am still waitlisted for the SNA.
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
So everything working as it should.
May 24, 2022, 5:18 am
#3413
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,735
I have some SNA request in, however one of them I never received any confirmation of the request. I can see it in my reservation... however it is also T-4 days to the stay and I also never received any email that normally shows up at T-5 days that either confirms or says that I am still waitlisted for the SNA.
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
Anyone else have problems with SNAs like this?
May 24, 2022, 7:52 am
#3414
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,879
I went to check on a pending SNA request within 5 days of check-in and it was still listed as pending. I noticed, though, that my room had actually already been upgraded to a suite. The next day (still 4 days out) my request was rejected. It seems to me like the hotel manually upgraded me?
May 24, 2022, 8:57 pm
#3415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
I went to check on a pending SNA request within 5 days of check-in and it was still listed as pending. I noticed, though, that my room had actually already been upgraded to a suite. The next day (still 4 days out) my request was rejected. It seems to me like the hotel manually upgraded me?
May 25, 2022, 7:08 am
#3416
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
Forgive me if this was addressed previously. I tried searching.
I just booked a room at the Westin San Diego (Downtown/Bayview) using a regular rate. When I tried to use an SNA, it only gave me choices of other standard guest rooms (same room with double beds instead of one king.) Definitely no suites or larger rooms amid the four choices.
I still have a day or two to cancel the reservation. So I might just book elsewhere.
If I'm understanding this correctly, the Westin has decided that those are "premium" rooms, and thus eligible for an SNA. Is that what's happened?
I just booked a room at the Westin San Diego (Downtown/Bayview) using a regular rate. When I tried to use an SNA, it only gave me choices of other standard guest rooms (same room with double beds instead of one king.) Definitely no suites or larger rooms amid the four choices.
I still have a day or two to cancel the reservation. So I might just book elsewhere.
If I'm understanding this correctly, the Westin has decided that those are "premium" rooms, and thus eligible for an SNA. Is that what's happened?
May 25, 2022, 7:24 am
#3417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,475
Bonvoy has the following in T&C now:
Suite Night Awards may only be used for standard suites or other premium rooms as designated by the Participating Property.
May 25, 2022, 9:16 am
#3418
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
Trying to use Suite Night Awards for the first time
I applied 2 suite night awards to a reservation I have this weekend Sat-Mon, which is the Memorial Day weekend (high occupancy). Request was made about 2 months ago, and now 3 days prior upgrade is not confirmed even though the hotel shows plenty of suite availability for bookings. Are they generally stingy with these and won’t issue award even if suites are available? Or they prefer to wait until check-in time?
I did get a notification 5 days out saying they are working on my upgrade, but can’t confirm it yet.
I did get a notification 5 days out saying they are working on my upgrade, but can’t confirm it yet.
May 25, 2022, 10:13 am
#3419
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Mileage Plus, Marriott Rewards, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 686
I applied 2 suite night awards to a reservation I have this weekend Sat-Mon, which is the Memorial Day weekend (high occupancy). Request was made about 2 months ago, and now 3 days prior upgrade is not confirmed even though the hotel shows plenty of suite availability for bookings. Are they generally stingy with these and won’t issue award even if suites are available? Or they prefer to wait until check-in time?
I did get a notification 5 days out saying they are working on my upgrade, but can’t confirm it yet.
I did get a notification 5 days out saying they are working on my upgrade, but can’t confirm it yet.
May 25, 2022, 3:16 pm
#3420
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Germany
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 85
I have an upcoming reservation for 13 nights at the St Regis Mauritius for September this year - it is a BRG rates in case that makes any difference.
Currently I have 13 SNAs in my account: 8 of them expire June 30 and 5 on December 31.
On the website I can not apply the SNAs for my reservation in September (which makes sense), but on the app I would be able to do so. Do you think it’s worth trying? I don’t want to risk any change in rate for the BRG rate. The T&Cs for the BRG say:
“Please be aware, any modifications made to your reservation are not allowed and will invalidate this approval”
Currently I have 13 SNAs in my account: 8 of them expire June 30 and 5 on December 31.
On the website I can not apply the SNAs for my reservation in September (which makes sense), but on the app I would be able to do so. Do you think it’s worth trying? I don’t want to risk any change in rate for the BRG rate. The T&Cs for the BRG say:
“Please be aware, any modifications made to your reservation are not allowed and will invalidate this approval”