Last edit by: Counsellor
LINK TO CHART
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2018)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
When converting your legacy certificate to a new certificate your prior certificate is cancelled and your new certificate will (in most cases) have an expiration date that is 12 months from the date of issuance (today).
The codes for the New Category partial packages are:
5-night packages
NCx = new certificate category
QPxx = post-merger converted partial package
OCx = old certificate category
QLxx = post-merger converted partial package (only QL known so far is QL87 for NC7)
xx0T = initial package;
Pxx0 = partial package;
************************************************** *******
MARRIOT UK: +44 20 7012 7312
For best practices on converting OC to NC, I’ve copied post # 1181 here. Thank you jameswes!
(Also, never use the word UPGRADE. You must say you want to CONVERT your certs.)
IMPORTANT! Possible Points Advance Implications of March 5 category changes: There’s a (potential) issue with the category changes and Points Advance reservations. Marriott included the following information when they emailed some of us about the upcoming changes: “Points Advance — Members who wish to book a points advance redemption under the current Marriott Rewards and SPG award chart are encouraged to order redemption certificates before March 5 to lock in the rate. On March 5, redemption bookings are subject to the new unified program award chart.” We’ve reached out to Marriott to confirm the practical implications of this verbiage, as it sounds like Points Advance reservations will revert to the new pricing if they don’t have certificates attached prior to March 5. To be on the safe side, if your hotel is increasing in category be sure your TP certificate is attached to the reservation before March 5.
Concerning use of TP for peak or off-peak, see post 2179:
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2018)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
When converting your legacy certificate to a new certificate your prior certificate is cancelled and your new certificate will (in most cases) have an expiration date that is 12 months from the date of issuance (today).
The codes for the New Category partial packages are:
5-night packages
- OC5=530T/P530 is now NC4 QP53
- OC6=570T/P570 is now NC4 QP53
- OC7=610T/P610 is now NC5 QP61 (refund value: 45K)
- OC8=650T/P650 is now NC5 QP?? (Refund value: 75k)
- OC9=690T/P690 is now NC6 QP69
- NC4 QP83 = OC5 830T/P830 (refund value: 45K)
- NC4 QP87 = OC6 870T/P870 (refund value: 75K)
- NC5 QP91 = OC7 910T/P910 (refund value: 105K)
- NC5 QP95 = OC8 950T/P950 (refund value: 135K)
- NC6 QP99 = OC9 990T/P990 (refund value: 165K)
- NC6 QP99 = OC Tier 1-3 L830 (refund value: 195K)
- NC7 QL87 = OC Tier 4-5 L870 (refund value: 315K)
- NC5 QP88 = OC7 P880 (refund value: 135K)
- NC5 QP92 = OC8 P920 (refund value: 165K)
NCx = new certificate category
QPxx = post-merger converted partial package
OCx = old certificate category
QLxx = post-merger converted partial package (only QL known so far is QL87 for NC7)
xx0T = initial package;
Pxx0 = partial package;
************************************************** *******
MARRIOT UK: +44 20 7012 7312
For best practices on converting OC to NC, I’ve copied post # 1181 here. Thank you jameswes!
(Also, never use the word UPGRADE. You must say you want to CONVERT your certs.)
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.
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.
Concerning use of TP for peak or off-peak, see post 2179:
The new award redemption chart will not impact Travel Packages. After these changes go into effect, you'll be able to book a hotel within the category assigned to your Travel Package, regardless of whether the dates at the hotel are in off-peak, standard or peak rates.
Travel Package General Discussion Thread
#1441
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
Just to kindly confirm for me, am I correct in saying that if I want to use a Travel Package towards a property that is moving up a category in March, I need to have it attached to that stay beforehand and locking in the Points Advance rate is not suffice (but it would be fine if just using outright points to lock in the rate?)?
Also, when cancelling a stay with an old cert attached, call to ensure it’s detached first so as it recredits back to my account as ‘Old’ giving a longer longevity to it as there is a year extension effectively when converting it across to ‘New’?
Also, when cancelling a stay with an old cert attached, call to ensure it’s detached first so as it recredits back to my account as ‘Old’ giving a longer longevity to it as there is a year extension effectively when converting it across to ‘New’?
#1442
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Thank you. It appears that despite them confirming they had attached my certificate, it was not attached at all. I could tell because my certificate was still showing up as "unused" and my reservation showed my points due as 1,147,000 points.
I called again, and they attached the certificate successfully this time. It has now disappeared from my certificates available. My reservation now says "this reservation has an e-certificate" total points for stay: 165,000. A NC 6 is "worth" 165,000 points. So does that mean the certificate is all that is required, or that I need to pay with the certificate and an additional 165,000 points? Specifically my reservation looks like this:
Points
I called again, and they attached the certificate successfully this time. It has now disappeared from my certificates available. My reservation now says "this reservation has an e-certificate" total points for stay: 165,000. A NC 6 is "worth" 165,000 points. So does that mean the certificate is all that is required, or that I need to pay with the certificate and an additional 165,000 points? Specifically my reservation looks like this:
Room Total Summary
165,000Points
Redemption with Points Upgrade
1 room(s) for 7 nights
- Wednesday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 121000 points + Free Night
- Thursday, XXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Friday,XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Saturday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Sunday, XXXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Monday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Tuesday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Total points rate
165,000 - Estimated government taxes and fees
Included - Total for stay in hotel's currency
Taxes and fees + 165,000 points
#1443
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 736
Thank you. It appears that despite them confirming they had attached my certificate, it was not attached at all. I could tell because my certificate was still showing up as "unused" and my reservation showed my points due as 1,147,000 points.
I called again, and they attached the certificate successfully this time. It has now disappeared from my certificates available. My reservation now says "this reservation has an e-certificate" total points for stay: 165,000. A NC 6 is "worth" 165,000 points. So does that mean the certificate is all that is required, or that I need to pay with the certificate and an additional 165,000 points? Specifically my reservation looks like this:
Points
I called again, and they attached the certificate successfully this time. It has now disappeared from my certificates available. My reservation now says "this reservation has an e-certificate" total points for stay: 165,000. A NC 6 is "worth" 165,000 points. So does that mean the certificate is all that is required, or that I need to pay with the certificate and an additional 165,000 points? Specifically my reservation looks like this:
Room Total Summary
165,000Points
Redemption with Points Upgrade
1 room(s) for 7 nights
- Wednesday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 121000 points + Free Night
- Thursday, XXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Friday,XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Saturday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Sunday, XXXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Monday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Tuesday, XXXXXX, 2019
- 171,000 points
- Total points rate
165,000 - Estimated government taxes and fees
Included - Total for stay in hotel's currency
Taxes and fees + 165,000 points
#1444
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
Just to kindly confirm for me, am I correct in saying that if I want to use a Travel Package towards a property that is moving up a category in March, I need to have it attached to that stay beforehand and locking in the Points Advance rate is not suffice (but it would be fine if just using outright points to lock in the rate?)?
#1445
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
You can't blame all on Marriott. We were all urged to attach the TPs to existing reservations. But a lot people did not do that. Because a lot of the TPs were purchased for speculative purposes. Look around. A lot of the OC1-5 TPs were purchases and the members had no intention to stay at those hotels. So what are the way out of this?? Knock on wood.... And have ourselves to blame too.
Last edited by rny321; Feb 21, 2019 at 11:12 am
#1447
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
It was for a one-bedroom villa with ocean view. This is definitely an upgraded room, although this hotel only has villas, so the only upgrade I believe is the ocean view instead of inland view.
#1448
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: S. Calif.
Posts: 39
My Cat 6 Reservation shows
DATE FREE NIGHT
DATE 50,000
DATE 50,000
DATE 50,000
DATE 50,000
TOTAL POINTS RATE 105,000
RESORT FEE $325
TAX
Free night is 5th night free
Looks like yours is an upgrade of 121,000 points per night
#1449
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Total for Stay
(All rooms) in local currency165,000 Points
Summary of Charges(all rooms)
Subtotal165,000 Points
Total taxes & fees
Included
Total for Stay
165,000 Points
If it says that I don't see how they could possibly charge an additional 121,000 per night. Otherwise it would be included in the total stated, right? I'm nervous because every time I call the CSRs seem to have no idea and all tell you something different, so there's no way to call and be confident in the answer. But I also don't want my reservation to be cancelled a few days before because I don't have the additional points required in my account.
#1450
From my perspective, it wasn't so much what changes they made but the lack of notice beforehand. If Marriott had told customers well before August 18 what the conversions would be, it would have prevented much of the speculation and hostility. Relying only on social media to announce that category changes will no longer be allowed a few days beforehand and not telling anyone what the exchange rate would be isn't going to create customer loyalty. I might be unusual, but I didn't know the exact days I would traveling this year last August, which made it futile to attach old certificates to future reservations. If Marriott had simply posted on its website or sent emails to its customers detailing the conversion process a month or so in advance, the reaction to the changes would have been muted.
1. No one had expected what was going to happen, from all parties. But we all knew it would not be smooth.
2. Most of the TPs are speculative. We all took advantage of Marriott. No one can dispute this fact. Marriott is draining the room revenues.
3. Marriott is about the only major hotel that give us the "point advance". We took advantage of this too.
4. Most of the Marriott Reward staff have been working with customers (at least with me) to solve most of the major issues. My experience is much better than with other airlines and some other hotels.
5. I personally got very good values from the TPs and I'm very grateful for it. There are some frustrations, but the results are very positive.
Going forward, I'll find the balance of Marriott, Hyatt and other less brands. I won't commit 100% to any airline or hotel. That is the way how it works now. Our sweetheart airline or hotel can certainly let us down some times. Do you file nasty divorce with your spouse with some of the mess-ups??
#1451
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
Just to kindly confirm for me, am I correct in saying that if I want to use a Travel Package towards a property that is moving up a category in March, I need to have it attached to that stay beforehand and locking in the Points Advance rate is not suffice (but it would be fine if just using outright points to lock in the rate?)?
It is better to do it this way. Although as long as you have made the Point Advance booking BEFORE March 5th, in theory the rate is locked in, but you would have a very hard time to get the cert attached AFTER March 5th because it requires special handling - given the majority reps dont even know how to handle TP cert bookings, you are asking for more hassle if you dont attach your cert before property category goes up.
The extension happens when the old cert converted to the new cert (in order to be able to attach to the reservation.) When you detach it at cancellation of said reservation, the now NC does NOT give you a new date. Read back a few pages - there are DPs on both NC and OC, when detached, retain the ORIGINAL DATEs without any change.
The ONLY chance you have the validity extended for a new life is when the OC is converted to the NC. Nothing else would.
#1452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
From my perspective, it wasn't so much what changes they made but the lack of notice beforehand. If Marriott had told customers well before August 18 what the conversions would be, it would have prevented much of the speculation and hostility. Relying only on social media to announce that category changes will no longer be allowed a few days beforehand and not telling anyone what the exchange rate would be isn't going to create customer loyalty. I might be unusual, but I didn't know the exact days I would traveling this year last August, which made it futile to attach old certificates to future reservations. If Marriott had simply posted on its website or sent emails to its customers detailing the conversion process a month or so in advance, the reaction to the changes would have been muted.
ALL we have heard so far have been from INDIRECT sources, with contradictory info coming in bits and pieces. People have no way to guide them on what they need to redeem. Can't blame people to speculate on the categories they book. This is not even accounting for the SHORTCHANGE Marriott tried to stiff the Cat 6 and 8 holders by downgrade the redemption value, AND would not refund the overpayment of 30K, until the outcry from everywhere. It took almost a week before Marriott rescinded this obvious "let's fleecing the customers as long as we can get away from it" type of approach. Obviously it has never thought about the SPG 1 to 3 ratio would create so many accounts have large balances that can redeem TPs many times more than historical level. So it decides to take the approach as to test how much the customers can bear, so it can get rid of the liabilities as cheaply as possible.
Just see how difficult it has been for 90% of the cert holders to even just redeem their certs normally, I cannot fathom anyone here would continue to defend Marriott's behaviors.
Had the company been forthcoming and transparent, most of the confusion would not happen. But then, it would not be able to pull the stinky tricks.
#1453
Yes, Quimby4 I see where you're getting that. I would agree except for the fact that at the bottom of the reservation it says in big bold type:….
If it says that I don't see how they could possibly charge an additional 121,000 per night. Otherwise it would be included in the total stated, right? I'm nervous because every time I call the CSRs seem to have no idea and all tell you something different, so there's no way to call and be confident in the answer. But I also don't want my reservation to be cancelled a few days before because I don't have the additional points required in my account.
If it says that I don't see how they could possibly charge an additional 121,000 per night. Otherwise it would be included in the total stated, right? I'm nervous because every time I call the CSRs seem to have no idea and all tell you something different, so there's no way to call and be confident in the answer. But I also don't want my reservation to be cancelled a few days before because I don't have the additional points required in my account.
Upcoming Reservation
Order reward certificate(s) for this reservation
This reservation has e-certificate(s).
Your Reward certificates will be sent to your hotel.
5: Guests
7 Nights
Room 1 #xxx -2 Bedroom Townhouse, Bedroom 1: 1 King, Bedroom 2: 2 Twin/Single Bed(s), Sofabed, Bathrooms: 2. ROOM DETAILS
MAR, 2019 MAR, 2019
Marriott Rewards Redemption with Points Upgrade
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 23, 2019 (21 day[s] before arrival).
CANCELLATION POLICY
EDIT ROOM CANCEL ROOM
105,000 Points
1 room(s) for 7 nights Prices in USD
Saturday, March 16, 2019 34000 points + Free Night
Sunday, March 17, 2019 84,000 points
Monday, March 18, 2019 84,000 points
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 84,000 points
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 84,000 points
Thursday, March 21, 2019 84,000 points
Friday, March 22, 2019 84,000 points
Total points rate 105,000
Estimated government taxes and fees 38.50
Total for stay in hotel's currency 38.50 + 105,000 points
Current points balance: 24,375 points
Choose Room Features
Pending: 2 Double Beds, Extra towels, High floor, Specific cancel policy
Please note Non-commissionable rate 38.50 USD Taxes and fees
Total for Stay(All rooms) in local currency38.50 USD 105,000 Points
Summary of Charges(all rooms)
Subtotal 105,000 Points
Total taxes & fees 38.50 USD
Total for Stay 38.50 USD 105,000 Points
Additional Charges
Complimentary on-site parking
Changes in taxes or fees implemented after booking will affect the total room price.
Last edited by RedSun; Feb 21, 2019 at 2:43 pm
#1454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
Once again, Marriott chose to reply to a Blogger's inquiry, but NOT to the original blog site (TPG which writer has pointed out the new language at the bottom of the March 5th changes and reached out but never got an update / clarification from Marriott.)
Instead, Gary Leff said he "reached out" to Marriott and got the reply which to me, is just as clear as mud because it has not clarify nor affirm, that the old practice remains in place. In fact it just said that you need to call and an CEC? agent needs to manually handle it. It does NOT address the concern whatsoever.
Gary's information so far is the ONLY information the general public has seen. No any official announcement or clarification. Marriott has apparently chosen to IGNORE the writer from TPG, as the writer has promised an update on this as long as TPG has heard back from Marriott. 2 weeks or more have passed, there is NO UPDATE on TPG site regarding this. Again, the only channel getting any "information or noninformation" on this topic is Gary Leff's. Everyone else just quotes him.
More bothersome is, t if you go to OMAAT and read the comments of the same topic article, there are several posters said they were charged MORE pts Last Year when they finalized their ressies after the first point changes. So the Proof is in the Pudding as the old cliche says. I bet that when it comes to finalize those point advance bookings, there would be a lot of battles in getting them done correctly.
#1455
Just to kindly confirm for me, am I correct in saying that if I want to use a Travel Package towards a property that is moving up a category in March, I need to have it attached to that stay beforehand and locking in the Points Advance rate is not suffice (but it would be fine if just using outright points to lock in the rate?)?
Also, when cancelling a stay with an old cert attached, call to ensure it’s detached first so as it recredits back to my account as ‘Old’ giving a longer longevity to it as there is a year extension effectively when converting it across to ‘New’?
Also, when cancelling a stay with an old cert attached, call to ensure it’s detached first so as it recredits back to my account as ‘Old’ giving a longer longevity to it as there is a year extension effectively when converting it across to ‘New’?