Dec 30, 2015, 10:18 am
Last edit by: rustykettel
Ten (10) Elite Nights are given for each meeting held in a participating hotel under the "Rewarding Events" program. See below for non-participating brands. Information about the Rewarding Events program may be found at https://www.marriott.com/meeting-eve...els/rewards.mi
The 10 elite nights per meeting are independent of any hotel rooms booked in conjunction with the meeting. In fact, no hotel rooms have to be booked as part of the meeting in order to receive credit for 10 elite nights.
Although the Rewarding Events webpage refers to room nights for meeting participants, the most important section is the one that states 10 Elite Nights, regardless if you or your guest is paying for it
In general, a written contract is required (or should be obtained). In many cases, the meeting is booked through a central Marriott group sales office instead of directly with a hotel. If booked through a central Marriott group sales office, there is a three-page contract that makes reference to the Rewarding Events program on page 2 of the agreement. A MR member number should be included in this area of the contract by the group sales office.
FAQs:
Q: What brands participate in the Rewarding Events program?
A: AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, Delta Hotels by Marriott, EDITION, Element, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Marriott, Gaylord Hotels, JW Marriott, LeMéridien, The Luxury Collection, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, St. Regis, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, & Westin.
Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites, & Marriott Executive Apartments do not participate in the program.
Q: How do I find a hotel that participates?
A: Click on the link to the Rewarding Events page and then in the "Plan" section of the page click on the "Find a Hotel" box. Enter the city you'd like to have your meeting in, purpose of event (Business) and then check the "I need meeting/event space" box. Enter the size of your meeting (2 attendees should work) and then click the "Find" box. Leave the start date and end date blank. A list of potential hotels will be shown. The smallest meeting room is not usually shown online --- you may need to call each hotel to find out which one has a boardroom or other small meeting room. Once you've found a small meeting room, then request a quote online.
Q: How quickly will Marriott respond with a quote?
A: Usually within a day or two --- and usually via email. The email should contain a telephone number of the group sales contact. Give them a call and tell them you'd like to follow up on the quote and you're interested in booking the smallest room available for a 2 person meeting for an hour. If they quote a price that's higher than you want to pay, ask them if they can get approval for a lower priced meeting (e.g., a recent quote was for $75 for an 8 hour use of a CY boardroom). They accepted a counter of $50 for a one-hour meeting in the room (plus service charge plus local sales tax). Urban hotels may charge significantly higher rates for meeting space than a smaller, less congested city.
Q: Is a contract required?
A: The terms of the program suggest "yes" --- although there are reports that 10 elite nights have been granted without contracts. A best practice would be to obtain a contract.
Q: How long do points and EQNs take to post after the event is over?
A: Generally, this takes 3+ business days. According to Marriott, it can take 15 business days. If you do not see anything post after 15 business days, contact the hotel before contacting Marriott customer support. The hotel has to be the one to post it.
You will get an e-mail with a subject line Your Rewarding Events Award has Posted: EVENT NAME
Q: Will the hotel know what I am talking about when I say points and elite night credits?
A: Probably not. They may know about the rewarding events points being 3x per dollar spent, but not always. Usually they know of only the Marriott system (Group Posting Tool) where they input how much you spent and when. This is done after the event and is usually authorized by the sales or general manager.
Q: The contract doesn't say anything about points, will I still earn them?
A: YMMV but so far all the electronic contracts from the website state it, but some fail to read it. The paper contracts usually talk about points, but some reports that they don't, but still post. Remember this is a Marriott Rewards benefit that the hotels don't seem to be footing the bill for.
The 10 elite nights per meeting are independent of any hotel rooms booked in conjunction with the meeting. In fact, no hotel rooms have to be booked as part of the meeting in order to receive credit for 10 elite nights.
Although the Rewarding Events webpage refers to room nights for meeting participants, the most important section is the one that states 10 Elite Nights, regardless if you or your guest is paying for it
In general, a written contract is required (or should be obtained). In many cases, the meeting is booked through a central Marriott group sales office instead of directly with a hotel. If booked through a central Marriott group sales office, there is a three-page contract that makes reference to the Rewarding Events program on page 2 of the agreement. A MR member number should be included in this area of the contract by the group sales office.
FAQs:
Q: What brands participate in the Rewarding Events program?
A: AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, Delta Hotels by Marriott, EDITION, Element, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Marriott, Gaylord Hotels, JW Marriott, LeMéridien, The Luxury Collection, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, St. Regis, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, & Westin.
Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites, & Marriott Executive Apartments do not participate in the program.
Q: How do I find a hotel that participates?
A: Click on the link to the Rewarding Events page and then in the "Plan" section of the page click on the "Find a Hotel" box. Enter the city you'd like to have your meeting in, purpose of event (Business) and then check the "I need meeting/event space" box. Enter the size of your meeting (2 attendees should work) and then click the "Find" box. Leave the start date and end date blank. A list of potential hotels will be shown. The smallest meeting room is not usually shown online --- you may need to call each hotel to find out which one has a boardroom or other small meeting room. Once you've found a small meeting room, then request a quote online.
Q: How quickly will Marriott respond with a quote?
A: Usually within a day or two --- and usually via email. The email should contain a telephone number of the group sales contact. Give them a call and tell them you'd like to follow up on the quote and you're interested in booking the smallest room available for a 2 person meeting for an hour. If they quote a price that's higher than you want to pay, ask them if they can get approval for a lower priced meeting (e.g., a recent quote was for $75 for an 8 hour use of a CY boardroom). They accepted a counter of $50 for a one-hour meeting in the room (plus service charge plus local sales tax). Urban hotels may charge significantly higher rates for meeting space than a smaller, less congested city.
Q: Is a contract required?
A: The terms of the program suggest "yes" --- although there are reports that 10 elite nights have been granted without contracts. A best practice would be to obtain a contract.
Q: How long do points and EQNs take to post after the event is over?
A: Generally, this takes 3+ business days. According to Marriott, it can take 15 business days. If you do not see anything post after 15 business days, contact the hotel before contacting Marriott customer support. The hotel has to be the one to post it.
You will get an e-mail with a subject line Your Rewarding Events Award has Posted: EVENT NAME
Q: Will the hotel know what I am talking about when I say points and elite night credits?
A: Probably not. They may know about the rewarding events points being 3x per dollar spent, but not always. Usually they know of only the Marriott system (Group Posting Tool) where they input how much you spent and when. This is done after the event and is usually authorized by the sales or general manager.
Q: The contract doesn't say anything about points, will I still earn them?
A: YMMV but so far all the electronic contracts from the website state it, but some fail to read it. The paper contracts usually talk about points, but some reports that they don't, but still post. Remember this is a Marriott Rewards benefit that the hotels don't seem to be footing the bill for.
Platinum Status in Eight Days and $800 - No Stays Required
Nov 18, 2010, 12:49 pm
#166
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: EWR
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 161
I just booked a short meeting at a local hotel which is not on the Meetings Matter list, so started to worry that it wouldn't count. However this seems to be totally outside of the Meetings Matter promo, therefore I do not believe the hotel list is limited.
http://www.marriott.com/meetings/rewards/travel.mi
http://www.marriott.com/Multimedia/P...am_details.pdf
I will report back my results next week.
http://www.marriott.com/meetings/rewards/travel.mi
http://www.marriott.com/Multimedia/P...am_details.pdf
I will report back my results next week.
Nov 18, 2010, 1:50 pm
#167
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Europe's World City
Programs: OWE, Hilton GOLD and counting
Posts: 1,113
Anyone would like to rent one small meeting room in London area for few days to hold one informal talk?...lol
Nov 19, 2010, 12:40 pm
#168
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: Thai silver(expired), Eva Gold(expired), SPG Gold (expired), MR gold, AA Exp 1MM, UA platinum.
Posts: 404
pro
Taking advantage of Marriott's offer is not scamming them any more than taking advantage of the many other offers identified within FT as the best way to maximize value through a particular program.
Though I'm not convinced that selling essentially pure-profit EQNs tied to an activity that is likely to spur much more high-margin revenue from the majority of incentivized participants is unintentional, I'll presume that Marriott really does regret their decision and I'll consider us lucky to have you policing their generosity.
While you're at it, you might want to keep a vigil for other offers companies make that might be too rich for their own good. Keep an eye on Mile Buzz and some of the blogs run by the more avid FTers and you'll get lots of hot leads. It's easy to find outlandish loopholes being scammed all the time, such as when thousands of bonus miles are earned for making minor purchases and filling out surveys. Oh, and don't overlook the forums dealing with mistake fares... it's a great way for you to contribute to a lubricated system where companies don't even need to watch their step because they can count on their customers to save the day.
On that note, I've noticed that the recent Megabonus offer might be a loophole they want to close. It's possible to purchase twenty $50 nights as a Platinum, stacking various discounts (gift card offers, cash back sites, etc.) to get the actual cash outlay down to about $40, and then earn 300 (arrival gift) + 2000 (Megabonus) + 250 (chase cc) + 750 (regular plus elite bonus earnings) on each night. This amounts to 3300 MR points, a free newspaper, breakfast, gym and pool use, and a place to stay, all for a measly $40 cash outlay, per night. Even if you completely throw out the value of the hotel (which certainly costs Marriott something to provide), the points alone are costing you only 1.21 cents each. You can then take those 3300 x 20 points, add them to others you accumulate similarly, and redeem them via a travel package when an airline that is being victimized by a 50-100% matching miles promo has an active offer. You can easily approach 2 cents per MR point in redemption value this way, even though you paid much less for them and got twenty nights of hotel use to boot. Most people pay far more per point and don't get nearly this value out of their Marriott spending. This is clearly a loophole by which Marriott could be scammed if someone is motivated enough, and they need to be made aware. Shall I take it upon myself to tell them, or will you?
Though I'm not convinced that selling essentially pure-profit EQNs tied to an activity that is likely to spur much more high-margin revenue from the majority of incentivized participants is unintentional, I'll presume that Marriott really does regret their decision and I'll consider us lucky to have you policing their generosity.
While you're at it, you might want to keep a vigil for other offers companies make that might be too rich for their own good. Keep an eye on Mile Buzz and some of the blogs run by the more avid FTers and you'll get lots of hot leads. It's easy to find outlandish loopholes being scammed all the time, such as when thousands of bonus miles are earned for making minor purchases and filling out surveys. Oh, and don't overlook the forums dealing with mistake fares... it's a great way for you to contribute to a lubricated system where companies don't even need to watch their step because they can count on their customers to save the day.
On that note, I've noticed that the recent Megabonus offer might be a loophole they want to close. It's possible to purchase twenty $50 nights as a Platinum, stacking various discounts (gift card offers, cash back sites, etc.) to get the actual cash outlay down to about $40, and then earn 300 (arrival gift) + 2000 (Megabonus) + 250 (chase cc) + 750 (regular plus elite bonus earnings) on each night. This amounts to 3300 MR points, a free newspaper, breakfast, gym and pool use, and a place to stay, all for a measly $40 cash outlay, per night. Even if you completely throw out the value of the hotel (which certainly costs Marriott something to provide), the points alone are costing you only 1.21 cents each. You can then take those 3300 x 20 points, add them to others you accumulate similarly, and redeem them via a travel package when an airline that is being victimized by a 50-100% matching miles promo has an active offer. You can easily approach 2 cents per MR point in redemption value this way, even though you paid much less for them and got twenty nights of hotel use to boot. Most people pay far more per point and don't get nearly this value out of their Marriott spending. This is clearly a loophole by which Marriott could be scammed if someone is motivated enough, and they need to be made aware. Shall I take it upon myself to tell them, or will you?
Blocking all the loop holes = no promotions= no business= no flyer talk
What business can make 90% profit? Rent a meeting room for no show.
Will Marriott loose money with their platinum members; of course not.
The" frugal platinum members" are their best members; they know the value of the Marriott reward program. They are the free publicity for Marriott.
Nov 19, 2010, 1:15 pm
#169
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
I just booked a short meeting at a local hotel which is not on the Meetings Matter list, so started to worry that it wouldn't count. However this seems to be totally outside of the Meetings Matter promo, therefore I do not believe the hotel list is limited.
I agree and posted the same in the past. My thought has been why take a chance!
However, you being the guina pig is good. Look forward to the answer.
I agree and posted the same in the past. My thought has been why take a chance!
However, you being the guina pig is good. Look forward to the answer.
Nov 19, 2010, 5:08 pm
#170
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 593
I just booked a short meeting at a local hotel which is not on the Meetings Matter list, so started to worry that it wouldn't count. However this seems to be totally outside of the Meetings Matter promo, therefore I do not believe the hotel list is limited.
I agree and posted the same in the past. My thought has been why take a chance! However, you being the guina pig is good. Look forward to the answer.
I agree and posted the same in the past. My thought has been why take a chance!
However, you being the guina pig is good. Look forward to the answer.
Nov 19, 2010, 8:13 pm
#171
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: EWR
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 161
FYI, mine was SS and though they started higher I negotiated my rate to $100. Obviously this will be harder to do in a hotel with lots of business meetings or during a peak time. I sure hope this works!!
Nov 19, 2010, 9:07 pm
#172
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 568
Because of this great thread I've booked two legit business meeting rooms for 6 people in the last month, instead of doing them in my boardroom. We had coffee and buffet lunch for about $500 each...I got platinum level points and 20 stays for the two meetings...but I got prior agreement before signing the deal that the stays would come, and they did. Now i've easily made plat for next year with the rollover nights. Marriott should be happy too as I could do 12 of these meetings next year...they earn money they didn't have before from me and I'll get 120 stays. If they cut out rollovers in 2012 I'll cut back on the meetings. Don't know if I have the nerve to hold a meeting with no people.
Nov 19, 2010, 10:53 pm
#173
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: Thai silver(expired), Eva Gold(expired), SPG Gold (expired), MR gold, AA Exp 1MM, UA platinum.
Posts: 404
I agree with the above post. My point is only that people are "debating" this issue, if it's morally right/wrong, if Marriott intended/didn't intend, and if the person should have called Marriott, etc... and I am just saying this is so small it's not even an "issue" to Marriott. They just don't care. We, on flyertalk, put a premium value on status but 99% of the travelers don't care. Shoot, a high percentage of people don't even collect miles/points (shocks me to think it but I know it's true)! I had a real meeting and it was great. I am glad I knew of this deal. It cemented my plat status! Otherwise was going to be close.
Nov 21, 2010, 9:11 pm
#174
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HH Dia, Bonvoy Gold, National EE
Posts: 57
I posted another thread about combining the meeting offer of 10 EQN per booking with the other marriott offer of interim gold offer and retaining gold status until Feb 2012 if you have 12 qualifying nights within 90 days.
Anybody going to try it here? If it works, it will be the fastest and cheapest way to marriott gold.
Anybody going to try it here? If it works, it will be the fastest and cheapest way to marriott gold.
Nov 21, 2010, 10:28 pm
#175
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 358
The US possibility of being credited for meetings we don't show up to seems difficult to implement in Europe : few hotels, generally expensive, generally unwilling to offer 1-hour meeting for 2 persons...
once again Marriott is better for Americans living in the USA.
This is specially bad for Europeans as Platinum status means something in Europe, in terms of what kind of rooms we get.
once again Marriott is better for Americans living in the USA.
This is specially bad for Europeans as Platinum status means something in Europe, in terms of what kind of rooms we get.
Nov 22, 2010, 7:18 am
#176
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Germany/Switzerland
Programs: M&M,UA MP Silver, MR LT Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 202
My experience in Europe is somewhat different: When meeting rooms are available, I never had problems with 60min bookings for 3 to 5 people. Meeting rooms were mostly around 40 square meters and up. Prices started at € 120 which is less then what I'd to pay at alternative office rentals.
Nov 22, 2010, 2:00 pm
#177
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: UA, DL, AA, Sutherlands Lumber
Posts: 7,359
A 2-hour meeting in the Gem City Fairfield is $50 bucks. I need 20 nights to reach gold. This is pretty remedial, but can someone explain why Gold, or even Plat is so desirable? I don't really travel that much, but LOVE to game systems.
Nov 22, 2010, 2:12 pm
#178
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits.mi lists most perks.
Just looking at points alone, the 500 Platinum Arrival Gift points plus the 50% bonus (5 points/$) on normal earnings gets you an extra 1,000 points on a $100 stay. If you value/use your points at 1.5 cents per point, you've picked up $15 in point value alone, just for having Platinum status.
Just looking at points alone, the 500 Platinum Arrival Gift points plus the 50% bonus (5 points/$) on normal earnings gets you an extra 1,000 points on a $100 stay. If you value/use your points at 1.5 cents per point, you've picked up $15 in point value alone, just for having Platinum status.
Nov 22, 2010, 2:16 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Benefits to both tiers are discussed here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-platinum.html
Nov 22, 2010, 3:01 pm
#180
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 257
Has anyone found a cheap meeting room in northern cal? Cheapest I could find after calling several hotels is $200