Basic Question: Redemption with Points Upgrade
Jun 5, 2024 | 1:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,145
Basic Question: Redemption with Points Upgrade
I know how "Redemption with Cash Upgrade" works when I search rates, but what about "Redemption with Points Upgrade" work???
Lets' say when I search rates with "Use Award/Points" checked, it gives me "Redemption with Points Upgrade: 65,000 points/stay" option.
I know it's different from just "Redemption: 35,000 points/stay" option.
Could you explain how the "Redemption with Points Upgrade" works?
Lets' say when I search rates with "Use Award/Points" checked, it gives me "Redemption with Points Upgrade: 65,000 points/stay" option.
I know it's different from just "Redemption: 35,000 points/stay" option.
Could you explain how the "Redemption with Points Upgrade" works?
Jun 6, 2024 | 9:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, United Silver, Flying Blue Silver, IPrefer Gold, Hyatt, LHW,
Posts: 214
I have always assumed that the “ redemption with points upgrade” simply allows you to pay for an upgraded room by paying more points for the room than you would for the standard room. I think I have done that, but can’t remember for sure. I’ve definitely used the “redemption with cash upgrade” though, and you don’t earn points for the cash part. Otherwise, there’s been no difference in the stay.
Jun 7, 2024 | 6:40 am
#3
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,366
If you're using your Marriott Bonvoy points, it's just matter of paying more points for a higher-category room (or suite).
If you're using a Free Night Award (FNA), it won't work for a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." FNAs can only be applied to simple Redemptions. Let'e suppose you have an 85K FNA. At the hotel you want, a Redemption for a standard room is 50K points and a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" for a junior suite with a good view is 80K points. You can only book the standard room with the 85K FNA, even though the FNA value exceeds what you would need for the upgraded choice.
Marriott.com makes it easy to apply an FNA for a Redemption, but impossible to apply an FNA to a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." That's not a bug. It's consistent with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Condition.
If you're using a Free Night Award (FNA), it won't work for a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." FNAs can only be applied to simple Redemptions. Let'e suppose you have an 85K FNA. At the hotel you want, a Redemption for a standard room is 50K points and a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" for a junior suite with a good view is 80K points. You can only book the standard room with the 85K FNA, even though the FNA value exceeds what you would need for the upgraded choice.
Marriott.com makes it easy to apply an FNA for a Redemption, but impossible to apply an FNA to a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." That's not a bug. It's consistent with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Condition.
Jun 7, 2024 | 2:47 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,145
If you're using your Marriott Bonvoy points, it's just matter of paying more points for a higher-category room (or suite).
If you're using a Free Night Award (FNA), it won't work for a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." FNAs can only be applied to simple Redemptions. Let'e suppose you have an 85K FNA. At the hotel you want, a Redemption for a standard room is 50K points and a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" for a junior suite with a good view is 80K points. You can only book the standard room with the 85K FNA, even though the FNA value exceeds what you would need for the upgraded choice.
Marriott.com makes it easy to apply an FNA for a Redemption, but impossible to apply an FNA to a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." That's not a bug. It's consistent with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Condition.
If you're using a Free Night Award (FNA), it won't work for a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." FNAs can only be applied to simple Redemptions. Let'e suppose you have an 85K FNA. At the hotel you want, a Redemption for a standard room is 50K points and a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" for a junior suite with a good view is 80K points. You can only book the standard room with the 85K FNA, even though the FNA value exceeds what you would need for the upgraded choice.
Marriott.com makes it easy to apply an FNA for a Redemption, but impossible to apply an FNA to a "Redemption with Points Upgrade." That's not a bug. It's consistent with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Condition.
Actually I used a 85K FNA, and I was wondering if I can use the 85K FNA for a better room...
Unfortunately the better room is available only with "Redemption with Points Upgrade"...
Jun 7, 2024 | 3:53 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,366
But that's how Marriott designed their loyalty program and their agreements with banks issuing FNAs.
From Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions:
iii. Additional restrictions for using Free Night Awards include, but are not limited to, Free Night Awards: (1) can only be applied to a standard room and does not apply to a Premium Room; (2) value cannot be combined with cash or other Award Redemption types; (3) are not eligible for the Stay for 5, Pay for 4 Offer (see Section 3.3.d); and (4) cannot be used at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.