Maximum Occupancy differs by points versus cash
 

Hi, has anyone else noticed a hotel giving different maximum room occupancy depending on whether its paid with points or paid with cash? I noticed the hotel rooms' maximum occupancy is 2 when points are redeemed, but for the same rooms paid in cash the maximum occupancy is 3. This is a Le Meridien and I would want the breakfast welcome gift for 3 adults, but it seems like I'm at risk of being denied if they refer to my room reservation as having a maximum occupancy of only 2.

Is this common? Has anyone worked around this before? I'm assuming I'll have to be taking a gamble here versus if I were to pay with cash to guarantee the breakfast welcome gift for myself + 2 adults. I'm afraid that if I directly ask they'll also enforce the room limit of 2 adults only if they found out there's 3 (I think Marriott generally is fine with this, but this one is not in North America).

Thank you!

There’s no such thing as a breakfast welcome gift for 3... it’s limited to just the cardholder and another guest, regardless of the total number of guest registered to the room.

Same goes for award stays — they’re good for single or double occupancy only.

I don't think that's always true. I have an award booking right now at the neighboring W Hotel and the room occupancy is 4 3.

Are you sure about that? I've only booked for more than 2 one other time, and they gave breakfast for the 3 guests. On the Marriott site for Elite Benefits, I noticed they specifically mentioned "Member + 1" for Marriott Hotels, JWs, Delta, etc., but then for Le Meridien and W Hotel group, it doesn't make that specification. I assumed based on my prior experience and the wording, that it would include all guests for the room with Member. https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/mem...s/guarantee.mi

Appreciate the help! Curious what others think and have experienced too!

EDIT: Max room occupancy is 3 (not 4) at my award booking at W. And added link to referenced member benefits page.

As per the T&Cs, Sec. 4.3.c:



The limit on 2 guest per room on
award stays is only applicable at a few select properties. The general rule is, in fact, that award stays cover any extra-person charges within the room’s capacity.

It's 1 plus 1 breakfast in a room for elite breakfast regardless of how many people are staying in the room. Many but not all hotels will comp breakfast. When my kid was young, they automatically comped in most cases. He's older now so they don't always...its something I worry too for club lounges and if they'll charge him

We like to stay in 1 room. So I typically pay for rooms when myself but use points w my now older kid so he doesn't get charged extra person fee. I often will call a hotel in advance and ask if they would let me pay for 2 adults and let my older kid stay for free or if I should pay w points for 3

The answer is that it is very common.

The award is specifically limited as is lounge / breakfast access.

Anything beyond occupancy of 2 and breakfast for 2 is purely discretionary as a matter of customer service at the property.

Depending on the specific property and the crew on duty, they may not care at check-in and may comp the third breakfast or they may require a second room or impose a charge or anything else (including walking you if they need the room).

Good call.

(Obviously the property would prefer cash to points, unless almost completely full.)

Never leave it to check-in. Zero negotiating power and all it takes is a bad day for the FD person and you have a major expense.

In the US, occupancy restrictions are rarely if ever enforced, though the Member +1 for breakfast typically is. If in Europe or Asia, the occupancy restriction may well be enforced, and you may have to pay a fee for a third guest.

Have you contacted the hotel to ask? That will be your best source of answer.

You're right, the T&Cs make it very clear - thank you for sharing the reference! And thanks to everyone also providing answers, their experience, and advice!

Yes, I always ask to talk to rooms manager, Hotel Manager or GM and I ask the question (never ever ask revenue manager who is always inflexible). I don't really care either way as I always have a lot of points but obviously would prefer to take the cheapest option and use the points in properties that are not so flexible. And cash rates are so low right now.

And you are right - vast majority of time they tell me to book 2 adults as they want the cash. I have stayed 20 nights in various hotels in the last 5 weeks and they all told me to book for 2 w cash rather than points (no Marriotts however, all Park Hyatts, but I have had exact same experience in Starwood). I have not tried so much with legacy Marriotts.