Earning on Flight & Hotel packages
Dec 9, 2019, 10:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 245
Earning on Flight & Hotel packages
I'm looking at hotel & flight packages on marriott.com and they're pricing within $5-10 of other booking channels. Is there a benefit to booking through Marriott? (other than it paying a commission to Marriott of course
) I have a Bonvoy Amex but I'm guessing it wouldn't earn at 5x level because the hotel is prepaid.
TIA
Shuttle
) I have a Bonvoy Amex but I'm guessing it wouldn't earn at 5x level because the hotel is prepaid.TIA
Shuttle
Dec 9, 2019, 4:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Q: Am I booking this package directly with Marriott?
A: No. Vacations by Marriott has partnered with a third-party company (Expedia, Inc.) that specializes in bundling our great hotels with other travel components to create complete packages.
Source: https://www.vacationsbymarriott.com/faqs
So, aside from the fact the commission actually goes to Expedia, you also will have to deal with Expedia for any customer service issues with the flight. In doing that, you add an additional human being between you and the airline prior to your trip. (Any problems on the day of your flight due to IROPs should be handled directly by airline staff.) Although you might get a terrific Expedia agent should you need to deal with a flight issue, you also could get a lousy one.
Personally, I wouldn't book an airline through a third-party like Expedia unless I was saving a ton of money. (Everyone values money differently, but I wouldn't classify $5-10 as a ton of money.)
Q: What charges will appear on my credit card statement?
A: The charge for your Vacations by Marriott package will appear on your credit card statement as “EI VBMarriott.”. You will be charged at the time of booking for the entire cost of your package.
Dec 9, 2019, 6:28 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 245
When you book this way, you're actually booking through Expedia. From the Vacations by Marriott website FAQs:
Q: Am I booking this package directly with Marriott?
A: No. Vacations by Marriott has partnered with a third-party company (Expedia, Inc.) that specializes in bundling our great hotels with other travel components to create complete packages.
Source: https://www.vacationsbymarriott.com/faqs
So, aside from the fact the commission actually goes to Expedia, you also will have to deal with Expedia for any customer service issues with the flight. In doing that, you add an additional human being between you and the airline prior to your trip. (Any problems on the day of your flight due to IROPs should be handled directly by airline staff.) Although you might get a terrific Expedia agent should you need to deal with a flight issue, you also could get a lousy one.
Personally, I wouldn't book an airline through a third-party like Expedia unless I was saving a ton of money. (Everyone values money differently, but I wouldn't classify $5-10 as a ton of money.)
Doubtful. Again, from the FAQs (same link as above):
Q: What charges will appear on my credit card statement?
A: The charge for your Vacations by Marriott package will appear on your credit card statement as “EI VBMarriott.”. You will be charged at the time of booking for the entire cost of your package.
Q: Am I booking this package directly with Marriott?
A: No. Vacations by Marriott has partnered with a third-party company (Expedia, Inc.) that specializes in bundling our great hotels with other travel components to create complete packages.
Source: https://www.vacationsbymarriott.com/faqs
So, aside from the fact the commission actually goes to Expedia, you also will have to deal with Expedia for any customer service issues with the flight. In doing that, you add an additional human being between you and the airline prior to your trip. (Any problems on the day of your flight due to IROPs should be handled directly by airline staff.) Although you might get a terrific Expedia agent should you need to deal with a flight issue, you also could get a lousy one.
Personally, I wouldn't book an airline through a third-party like Expedia unless I was saving a ton of money. (Everyone values money differently, but I wouldn't classify $5-10 as a ton of money.)
Doubtful. Again, from the FAQs (same link as above):
Q: What charges will appear on my credit card statement?
A: The charge for your Vacations by Marriott package will appear on your credit card statement as “EI VBMarriott.”. You will be charged at the time of booking for the entire cost of your package.
Thanks writerguyfl 😀