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
Dec 19, 2012, 11:44 am
#481
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
Has anyone else been hit with the 24% service charge on top of the meeting charge (for the room itself)? The language was unclear so I clarified with the sales rep, who said it was only for extras. Then I received the final copy of the bill and found the charge on there for the room. I'm pretty sure it'll be corrected, as I have the clarification in writing from sales, but curious if this is something I'll continue to encounter.
Dec 19, 2012, 12:41 pm
#482
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 928
Well, I'm at 72 nights so I'm going to give this a shot in the Denver Area. Found 300sq ft room is the smallest for a hotel within 10 miles of me. I'll give them a call and see what I get.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
Dec 19, 2012, 12:48 pm
#483
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Well, I'm at 72 nights so I'm going to give this a shot in the Denver Area. Found 300sq ft room is the smallest for a hotel within 10 miles of me. I'll give them a call and see what I get.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
Dec 20, 2012, 8:36 am
#484
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AA SPG Amex
Posts: 4,644
Ways to expedite the posting of nights?
I had a meeting earlier this week and am trying to make sure the nights get posted before I go on vacation next week (since I'd love to arrive at the hotel as Gold). Rewards customer service said that they can't post anything until the meeting is submitted while the event manager is saying that it won't let her post points for ten days after. The two have been trading phone calls but I'm trying to figure out if there is some magic step someone can take that is just slipping their mind in order to expedite this? Everyone has been very helpful and well-intentioned but I'd love to speed things along if possible.
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
Dec 20, 2012, 9:06 am
#485
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
I had a meeting earlier this week and am trying to make sure the nights get posted before I go on vacation next week (since I'd love to arrive at the hotel as Gold). Rewards customer service said that they can't post anything until the meeting is submitted while the event manager is saying that it won't let her post points for ten days after. The two have been trading phone calls but I'm trying to figure out if there is some magic step someone can take that is just slipping their mind in order to expedite this? Everyone has been very helpful and well-intentioned but I'd love to speed things along if possible.
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
I have had similar issues between hotels and MR after meetings. While it is not exactly the same situation as yours, it is close enough to draw a comparison. For more than a decade, I attended 4 business events per year, and about 90% of them were held at Marriott FS hotels. I noticed that my nights and points credits were taking MUCH longer to post to my account, sometimes as long as SEVERAL months, which is not appropriate. What I found out is that for anything other than individual room stays takes longer to post for a variety of reasons, usually related to the sales department, which is responsible for group rates, and also for conference rooms and other non-sleep facilities.
In my case, the excuse was always a variation of this: "Well Sir, we know you paid your folio upon check out, but your group involves 950 rooms, and until all 950 are paid for, we can't submit your stay to Marriott until all the accounting is completed." To which I respond, "Even though I was on a group rate, my actual reservation was not made by a group, it was made by me, and it was also paid for by me before I left the hotel, and I have a receipt, and I am not subject to some large billing which the hotel is waiting to be paid for, so it is totally unreasonable to hold me, or anyone, up just because 3 rooms out of 950 are still outstanding." If that does not work, I always called MR, and relayed the story, and generally found it was resolved either while I was on the phone, or within two or three days. Irritating, but reality. As always YMMV!
Dec 20, 2012, 10:37 am
#486
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
I had a meeting earlier this week and am trying to make sure the nights get posted before I go on vacation next week (since I'd love to arrive at the hotel as Gold). Rewards customer service said that they can't post anything until the meeting is submitted while the event manager is saying that it won't let her post points for ten days after. The two have been trading phone calls but I'm trying to figure out if there is some magic step someone can take that is just slipping their mind in order to expedite this? Everyone has been very helpful and well-intentioned but I'd love to speed things along if possible.
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
If nothing else, do you think it would work to send Rewards a copy of my bill and simply ask that they advance me the status since there are ten nights on the way which will put me over?
Dec 20, 2012, 11:07 am
#487
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
I deal with a local Fairfield for dozens of meetings per year and have had various results with regards to posting of points and the 10 elite nights.
Training seems to be the issue - each time there is a new catering/sales person my posting is in disarray. For example I held a 3 day meeting in mid-October that I just 3 days ago received the 10 elite nights for. Her comment was that she was unable to post the elite nights and had to do it through MR which is rubbish.
The previous sales manager would post them to my account during my meetings and ask me in the hall if I saw them yet. Both points and elite nights would post instantly as she knew the proper way to enter it in the system.
So, my experience has been that when there is turnover, be prepared for a fight as they are not properly trained and I have found MR to be very unhelpful in fixing these problems as they claim they can do nothing as it is the hotels responsibility.
My $0.02.
Training seems to be the issue - each time there is a new catering/sales person my posting is in disarray. For example I held a 3 day meeting in mid-October that I just 3 days ago received the 10 elite nights for. Her comment was that she was unable to post the elite nights and had to do it through MR which is rubbish.
The previous sales manager would post them to my account during my meetings and ask me in the hall if I saw them yet. Both points and elite nights would post instantly as she knew the proper way to enter it in the system.
So, my experience has been that when there is turnover, be prepared for a fight as they are not properly trained and I have found MR to be very unhelpful in fixing these problems as they claim they can do nothing as it is the hotels responsibility.
My $0.02.
Dec 21, 2012, 2:14 pm
#488
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IND
Programs: LT Marriott Uber Titanium; From US CP to dirt (Its been a while)
Posts: 292
I have 3 meetings scheduled over 3 days at the local CY ($100 a pop). Marriott Sales wants to do all the meetings on one contract. The sales lady says each meeting will count separately as its own qualifying event and that I will get 10 nights for each. I told her that this was my primary concern and main (only) reason for using Marriott for the extremely small meetings. When I did this 2 years ago I had them split it out on multiple contracts.
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
Dec 21, 2012, 5:11 pm
#489
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
I have 3 meetings scheduled over 3 days at the local CY ($100 a pop). Marriott Sales wants to do all the meetings on one contract. The sales lady says each meeting will count separately as its own qualifying event and that I will get 10 nights for each. I told her that this was my primary concern and main (only) reason for using Marriott for the extremely small meetings. When I did this 2 years ago I had them split it out on multiple contracts.
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
Dec 21, 2012, 8:23 pm
#490
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 928
Well, I'm at 72 nights so I'm going to give this a shot in the Denver Area. Found 300sq ft room is the smallest for a hotel within 10 miles of me. I'll give them a call and see what I get.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
On the flip side, I could do a mattress run for $170 w/tax to get the 3 nights. But even for $200 for the conference room, that's 10 nights and 7 would roll over.
I stay at Marriott a lot, so $200 is worth it to me. I know to avoid beverages, food, A/V, to avoid any service charge.
So, about $130 for 10 credit nights. Signed the contract and everything, and included my MR number. Very easy and convenient. And I keep my Platinum status for sure for 2013. Good for the frequent Marriott traveler.
And, I will actually bring work to do and occupy the room. Might as well use it for something.
Dec 23, 2012, 12:10 pm
#491
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I have 3 meetings scheduled over 3 days at the local CY ($100 a pop). Marriott Sales wants to do all the meetings on one contract. The sales lady says each meeting will count separately as its own qualifying event and that I will get 10 nights for each. I told her that this was my primary concern and main (only) reason for using Marriott for the extremely small meetings. When I did this 2 years ago I had them split it out on multiple contracts.
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
Has anyone had problems/success receiving 10 nights per meeting when having multiple meetings on one contract?
If you want 30 nights make sure you dont have a meeting 3 days in a row but with at least 1 day between each meeting. If I make 3 different reses for a room for 3 consectutive nights its all considered 1 stay, so even checking out and back in again wont help get more then 1 Welcome gift and all 3 will be considered 1 Stay for the bonuses where its based on stays. So too with meetings
Dec 23, 2012, 1:47 pm
#492
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
If you are doing this cause you will have the meetings and arent looking for the Nights credit, thats 1 thing but if you are looking for 10 nights credit per meeting. I remember reading somewhere that if the meetings were day after day at the same hotel they would all be considered 1 meeting = only 1 10 nights credit and not 30 nights since all 3 days are considered 1 Event
If you want 30 nights make sure you dont have a meeting 3 days in a row but with at least 1 day between each meeting. If I make 3 different reses for a room for 3 consectutive nights its all considered 1 stay, so even checking out and back in again wont help get more then 1 Welcome gift and all 3 will be considered 1 Stay for the bonuses where its based on stays. So too with meetings
If you want 30 nights make sure you dont have a meeting 3 days in a row but with at least 1 day between each meeting. If I make 3 different reses for a room for 3 consectutive nights its all considered 1 stay, so even checking out and back in again wont help get more then 1 Welcome gift and all 3 will be considered 1 Stay for the bonuses where its based on stays. So too with meetings
I asked for 3 separate contracts (one for each day).
I got 30 elite nights credit.
Dec 23, 2012, 6:43 pm
#493
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: AA Pro;Ritz Carlton Ambassador;Hilton Silver: SPG Gold
Posts: 111
Yes, I just did a meeting for 6 people at the Long Island Marriott, Uniondale NY. No food/beverage, no audio visual. Just a room with chairs and they hit me with a 24% service charge + state tax. So I ended up paying room rental plus 35%. Kind of ridiculous.
Dec 23, 2012, 6:47 pm
#494
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Yes, I agree, ridiculous, no kind of about it. I gotta believe that the service charges are negotiable, at least in some locations, but only if you know about them in advance. And if not directly negotiable, then indirectly, by negotiating a gross price by getting the base rate down. Does the service charge actually include anything other than cleaning after?