I usually settle the bill the day before check out, having them either post the final nights charge or just adding one more night manually to the amount so that I can go through the entire process during the day and not when I am in a hurry to get to the airport, sometimes very early in the morning. I find that some properties can process quickly, but most take about 5-10 min and longer if you have several cards. By using this process I have never had a problem getting it accepted.

Once, in Beijing, they weren't sure how to process so they made a photo copy. A week later and still nothing. I called the hotel and asked if I could help. About another week went by and they charged my gift card. The JW in Shanghai had no problem - took 5 min.

Only place I have not had any luck is any Ritz Carlton, despite the info on this board that suggests it will work - I have not been able to get it to work.

Billy

Interesting they were able to process with a photo copy. I recently had a US Marriott tell me at check-out time that their computer network was down and they couldn't accept my gift card for payment because they needed to swipe and photo copy would not work!

Any ideas how the St. Kitts Marriott treats GC? I was planning on using 2-4K worth in Dec.

On a topic unrelated to GC, but related to St. Kitts are you Platinum, and if yes have you seen this offer -
From October 1 - December 21, 2012, stay any night and enjoy more space and upgraded furnishings when you stay in one of our newly renovated suites.

One Bedroom Suite with Resort View - $159
One Bedroom Suite with Ocean View - $199

A limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Please see below for more terms and conditions.

For Reservations:
Click on "Check Availability" to make an online reservation, or call 1-800-MARRIOTT from within the US, or one of our toll-free worldwide reservation numbers outside the US and quote the Promotional Code for this offer.
Valid through: December 21, 2012
Promotional Code: E0P

I did and jumped on it. But when I made my reservation I found the Royal Ocean Suite, 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King or 2 Double, Sofabed, Bathrooms: 1.5, Ocean view
was available for the entire trip for 199. WOWOWOWOWOOW. I have a 2 and 5 year old and the extra space is AWESOME!

Any experience with Marriott gift cards at the Ren in TLV? And can someone explain to me the basis for arguing that a gift card in US dollars be used as shekels?

When you use your GC, GIVEX (the programme/company that supports the GC) will convert the USD you have on your GC into whatever currency that the hotel is using.

I have used it in Germany, Hong Kong and I got the GIVEX exchange rate.

The only problem I have with using GC in Europe is to find someone that has the password and login to GIVEX. So it would be a good idea to let the FD knows that you are using GC to pay at check-in.

great! I have this hotel booked for next April - glad to hear they know how to work GCs :cool:
With GC outside the US I have started to pay the evening before and have them make a copy of the card if they don't know right away how to handle it. This has cut back on some of the major issues when check-out takes > 1/2 hr and you are cutting it close to the airport.

I've had cases where they input the card number manually, and they can get the number off of a photocopy as easily as off the card itself.

Marriott Recommends Replacement of Legacy Gift Cards
 

Has anyone been notified that Marriott recommends certain cards be replaced before Feb.1, 2013? I found the information at the bottom of this link https://gifts.marriott.com/product.a...10&co=US&nt=CJ and clicked on FAQ's

A Marriott CSR told me it may take longer to process the older cards after Feb. 1, 2013.


Dear Marriott Guest,

In April 2011, Marriott upgraded its GiftCard Platform. You are receiving this message because you are holding a card that was issued out of our Legacy system. If your card begins with one of the following sets of numbers, please read below for instructions on how to use your card or request a replacement:

77518
33734
48227
85395

Q. Can I redeem my Legacy Card?

A. Yes, your Legacy Card can be redeemed. If you are not going to redeem your card within the next 30 days, we recommend you visit the Legacy Card replacement instructions

Q. Why do I need to replace my Legacy Card?

A. In April 2011, Marriott upgraded its Prepaid Card Platform. As of February 2013, Legacy Cards will no longer be supported by the upgraded platform. You will need to request a replacement card product for any remaining balances on Legacy Cards.

Option #1:

If you plan on using your card and depleting the balance within the next 30 days, please feel free to present your card to the front desk at check-out to apply your card balance to your guest room folio or at a participating hotel outlet.

Option #2:

If you will not be immediately using your card, please scan or digitally photograph the reverse side of each prepaid card illustrating the card has been cut into two halves across the magnetic strip (see below). The account number MUST be clearly visible.



Attach the completed LEGACY CARD REPLACEMENT FORM and severed card image file to an email message and send to: [email protected]

Option #3:

Fax the completed LEGACY CARD REPLACEMENT FORM and reverse side of card illustrating it has been cut into two halves across the magnetic strip.

The account number MUST be clearly visible.
The fax number is: (801) 468-4247.
Option #4::

If you would prefer to use our standard mail option, please send original card with the LEGACY CARD REPLACEMENT FORM to:

Marriott Legacy Card Replacement
Attn: Customer Support Team
310 Bearcat Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84115

v We recommend the card be sent in a manner that can be tracked since we cannot be responsible if the envelope is lost in the mail and not received.

v It is recommended you save a duplicate of all sent documents with the card image until you've received a replacement card.

v Allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks for processing from the time of receipt.

Thanks for the heads up!

Cheers. Sharon

Thanks!

I have 2 unused 33734 and 1 has just under $50 balance on it.

It so happens that we have 4 stays at one for each week starting tomorrow. So we would deplete the old cards completely. Whew!

OTOH, how Marriott would know the contact info of people holding such cards?

My cards are the Travel Cards which are obtained from redeeming Citi card's ThankYou Point awards. There is no way Marriott's incentive marketing dept which handles Travel Card would know who obtained such cards. Card bears expiration date to 2020 fwiw.

You didn't have to activate them, and you didn't ever check their remaining amounts at the Marriott Gift Card site? Either of those two would have been clues to them, I would think...

My guess would be that MR got a list from the sellers of the cards. I'm pretty sure the cards had to be sent from someone and may have even been handled by MR or their fulfillment center. Now those that have been gifted the cards may be in for a real surprise!

Gift card vs. e-gift card
 

I purchased a large amount of gift cards from Marriott (they had a good promotion going on). The gift card T&C's states that it is accepted at any Marriott property. The gift card facilities messed up on my order so they sent me an e-gift card with my amount. In the e-mail and in Marriott's T&C's it states this is to be used like any physical gift card.

So far I have had two hotels seemingly decline it. I was told from gift card services that this was accepted at all Marriott's. I e-mailed Marriott and they replied and stated that these hotels would accept the gift card. I am currently a guest at one of these hotels and they called the hotel on my behalf. I was told that they spoke to the manager (who would be reaching out to me today, which never happened) and they verified it with Joe (a Marriott employee) that they would in fact accept my gift card.

After not hearing from the manager all day, I went downstairs to verify that everything was good to go with my gift card and to question why Jessica never reached out to me. I was informed that they will not be accepting my e-gift card and that although Marriott did call, the person they talked to had no authority to make a claim like that.

I was made to feel like I was scamming the hotel and it was hostile for me. When I inquired why the manager never reached out to me, I was merely informed that they will talk to me on checkout (11/25).

I e-mailed Marriott again and called customer service (my phone call was a documented 40 minutes long because of the wait). They told me that while all Marriott's should accept this gift card, it is up to the individual facility.

I ended up eating candy bars for Thanksgiving due to the two hotels charging everything to my credit card and maxing them out. I was unable to withdraw funds from my bank due to the holiday. Marriott said there is nothing they can do about this. Gift card services said while they were at fault, there is still nothing they can do. It is up to the hotel's discretion on whether or not they accept a gift card (regardless if it is digital or physical).

I just wanted to give a warning to people out there. If I knew this could of happened I would of never purchased these gift cards. I didn't know that accepting gift cards was discretionary.

I guess I am curious on what some of you would do in this situation. I am honestly tired of arguing and I am thinking about just cutting my losses and having this gift card go to waste. Marriott says there is nothing they can do.