UPDATE:

So I checked in yesterday to the Preston Marriott again and they have told me that they do finally have the proper training to accept these gift cards (Thank God), however, they insists that accommodations cannot be paid by gift card (what!!!??)

I have confirmed that this is not the case with Marriott Customer Service, via several previous stays at Marriotts across the UK and the US, by the terms and conditions on gift.marriott.com, and via the 800 number on the back of the card.

Yet they will NOT budge. Is there any way to completely take the Preston Marriott out of the loop and do this at central level?

Has any one else been at a property that says these cards are not valid on accomodation? Is the hotel allowed to make these sort of decisions?

StephanyKR, there seems to be plenty of advice floating around, but you don't seem to want to take any of it.:confused: You keep on trying to do it your way. I along with other posters have given you ample ammunition to resolve this. Do you really want our advice or are you just venting?

I'm sorry. I am fairly new to Flyertalk so I don't understand.

I have explained to them that it is simply a pre loaded visa. I have called the 800 number on the back of the gift card. I have called the UK customer service number provided in this thread. I have printed out the FAQs as suggested by this thread. I have emailed the Customer Service member, Nancy, who also concurs that the gift cards are valid on accomodations. However, that does not change the stance that the Preston Marriot's Finance Team has that these cards are not accepted on accomodations.

What advice I am not taking?

What I see here is everyone at Marriott aggreeing that you have a problem with the cash card but no one going the extra yard to intercede on your behalf. I would try to get Nancy to call the property involved to resolve the problem once and for all. That is, more or less, what she did for me. If this doesn't work call Mr.Marriotts office at 1-800-621-0999 and see if you can get someone involved there. Forward these posts on FlyerTalk by email to show the frustration you have experienced and tell them there are other members just as frustrated as yourself from the lack of uniformity shown at Marriott properties. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your reply. I will await Nancy's response and see what happens next week. It is customary to include Flyertalk threads if you are having problems?

Stephany,

See my private message.

William

This is one of those threads that makes you wish that there was an empowered pro-active Marriott Lurker here who reads all the threads on a regular basis, and who would respond with help for the OP in dealing with the sheer and intransigent incompetence she has been faced with.

Update:
I heard back from 'Nancy' in customer service who is going to contact the hotel next week. Hopefully she will be able to explain to them the error. Its seems that across rural england the Marriott folk are completely disconnected to Marriott International. I know there was some mention of the properties in Northern England are actually managed by another group. That is sure showing here. They were baffled when i requested my Premium Pound Cert (that i have still have not received) staying under the escape program in Jan and now the inability to accept gift cards. Makes me just want to give up.

I just feel like there are no lines of communication whatsoever.

Thank you to all for your suggestions and support. It seems that I may have to throw in the towel on this one.

Many Marriotts are owned and/or managed by other than Marriott. That should make absolutely no difference. Whether the property is located in rural UK or is a Fairfield in Montana or a JW in DC should make no difference. In my opinion, there is no excuse for the way this has been handled nor for the fact that Marriott didn't instantly correct the situation. Good luck and don't give up, or give in to incompetence. You might want to send a private message to Chris, the Marriott Concierge here.

Marriott Gift Card
 

as far as I know the Giftcard can only be redeemed via Visa in the US.

If you need to redeem it in any country such as the UK, Visa swipe would not work in any of the UK Marriott. The hotel would actually need to keep your card and then redeem the full balance from Marriott Gift Certificates, Salt Lake City.

I am not sure how to go about redeeming it if you have a huge balance on the card, and you only want to use a portion of it.

Call Gift Certificate department for further assistance. 001 801 468 4167

Because the hotel would have to redeem the balance centrally from marriott certificates, and because it is not a paper certificate, it is rather complicated process.

hope this help.

What is your basis for this information? Thanks.

thats not correct, I used giftcards in germany and italy and they redeemed the cards via visa.

As i said in my experience UK can't redeem via Visa. It is nice knowing that it is working in other european countries.

Hi

I have used giftcard here a few times, and thats how they have resolved it at a few different hotels.

UPDATE: This is not true. I was able, after arguing for two months, to get the Preston Marriott to accept the fact that these cards are valid on incidentals AND room charges. They then retroactively credited my Amex and charged my Gift Cards since the start of my battle with them. Many thanks so all of your help. Nancy in Customer Service was able to finally get through to these people and made it all come together.

I ran into trouble using these cards in Manchester, Leeds and London but after refusing to take no for an answer and armed with my email correspondance with Nancy print out along with the Gift Card Terms and Conditions I was able to get them to just swipe the darn card.

If any Marriott WORLDWIDE has a machine that takes Visa Credit Cards (which all Marriotts do), they can accept these cards.