Amy - check out Southern California.

skimthetrees is correct *in theory*. However, these are partial packages, i.e. the 'airmiles' have already been awarded, and so if you (are able to) upgrade an OC9 to NC7 what actually happens *in practice* is that the OC9 gets refunded with 165K (not 390K) deposited in to your account; then the NC7 partial package is ordered, which costs 315K (not 540K). The result/value is obviously the same, 315K - 165K = 150K.

Yes, more than once.

A couple more codes that are missing from the wiki (if someone would like to update it?)

The 7-Night Partial Package Tier 4-5 reward code is/was L870 (I don't know the xx0T initial package code), i.e. for the wiki: "NC7 QL87 = OC Tier 4-5 L870 (refund value: 315K)"
The 7-Night Partial Package Tier 1-3 reward code is/was L830 (I don't know the xx0T initial package code), i.e. for the wiki: "NC6 QP99 = OC Tier 1-3 L830 (refund value: 195K)"

This goes someway (or perhaps the whole way!) to explaining why the NC7 is QLxx not QPxx.

[This is the first time I have attempted using BB codes so please go easy on me if I have completely ballsed them up.]

have you tried converting anything less than OC9 to to a NC7?

The process used to upgrade would apply just as easily to less than OC9. However, your 'justification' for upgrading may become a little more difficult: e.g. "I was waiting until after the merger to sort out my TP upgrade on the advice from Marriott, that's why I only ordered an OCx with the expectation to upgrade to NC7 later."

An important piece of information that I don't think has been mentioned here before: if you get an agent that remembers the rules from before the merger, you were not supposed to be able to upgrade/downgrade a Marriott TP (OC5-9) to/from a Ritz Carlton TP (Tier 1-5) and vice versa. Hence, in theory, you would only have justification for upgrading an OC Tier 1-3 to a NC7 (and obviously ignoring the fact Marriott state you can not upgrade at all).

I am going to attempt to call and update my OC5 7 night to a NC4. Would someone kindly link me back to the newest directions of how to do this successfully. A couple of questions: Does this extend my Certificate by another year? When I am ready to use it, do I have to have reservations made prior to the expiration, or do I have to have used it by the expiration? Has anyone had luck having the CSR swith their OC5 for a NC5 by asking? Thank you all for your patience with me!! I appreciate the time many of you take to help those of us who cannot stay current due to our schedules. Thanks!!

How many times you need assurance? There is no particular link or "depository place" on the "direction" how to do this successfully. But empirical data points abound, as late as a few days ago with a full details of the steps. All you need to do is to read back a page or 2. Need more assurance? Read back more pages. It is not too much to ask you to read back last 5 to 10 pages to see the DPs yourself.

There is no change on anything, incl the part you keep wishfully thinking about "having the CSR swith their OC5 for a NC5 by asking?" if that means you will get an NC5 from an OC5. Absolutely not going to happen. However, by upgrading with 60K pts, it is a possibility provided you can find a rep willing to do so. Once again, the UK number is your best bet and the number is in the Wiki. Most all needed info on conversion in order to lead the CSR, are in the Wiki.

Hypothetical - if I was able to convert OC9 to NC7 - would i be able to apply it to this type of reservation?

I have 5 nights at StR Bora Bora on points, and can get two more nights with points + cash upgrade.

Would I be able to apply the NC7 (if I was able to obtain) to this reservation?

New data point for the new year.

I've read/followed the majority of this thread and now that I have a plan for how to use the travel certificates I made it happen :)

Last July, I purchased two OC1-5 travel packages. I have an upcoming trip that I wanted to use the certificates to book two rooms at an NC5 hotel.

1) Verified that I had an extra 120,000 MR points in my account (2x60,000 to upgrade from NC4 to NC5)
2) Call the UK Marriott # in the wiki (+44 20 7012 7312). In total, the call took about 25 minutes.
3) Explain that I have a booking I wanted to make, and I wanted to Cancel my two 830T certificates and convert them to two QP91 certificates. I did need to be clear with the rep that I was going to be using additional points from my account to upgrade the certificate.
Canceling two 830T (OC1-5) added 90,000 points (2x45000) to my account
Ordering two QP91 (NC5) subtracted 210,000 points (2x105K) from my account
4) The rep said that their "specialist" wasn't in the office, but she would leave detailed notes and have him do it the next day
5) True to form, the next day (today), I got an emails saying that my old certificates were canceled and new certificates were ordered.
Email clearly states that 830T certs were canceled
Second email clearly states that QP91 certs were ordered and 210K points were redeemed
Email (and account) state that the expiration is one year from today
As typical, App is up-to-date, website doesn't show the updated information yet.

Well Done! Can I ask what time of day you called the UK number?

Cheers for the clear steps. Did you use the 830T, etc. terminology?
^

I called around 10 AM Central.
Marriott's hours are 8AM-6PM GMT

Yup, the rep was familiar/comfortable with 830T/QP91.

Hypothetical - if I was able to convert OC9 to NC7 - would i be able to apply it to this type of reservation?

I have 5 nights at StR Bora Bora on points, and can get two more nights with points + cash upgrade.

Would I be able to apply the NC7 (if I was able to obtain) to this reservation?