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
#1021
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
May be a good time to move ahead with this strategy, given the impending Marriott/Starwood merger. Marriott Plat could be worth quite a bit more going forward particularly if benefits are enhanced to match SPG Plat. At the very least it will move you to the top tier when staying at SPG properties.
#1022
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
May be a good time to move ahead with this strategy, given the impending Marriott/Starwood merger. Marriott Plat could be worth quite a bit more going forward particularly if benefits are enhanced to match SPG Plat. At the very least it will move you to the top tier when staying at SPG properties.
But if the added nights in the MR program will have benefit now, go for it.
#1023
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
I wonder if SPG nights will count toward lifetime Marriott status. That would help (though I need the points more). Worst is if they count SPG and increase the requirements.
#1024
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
May be a good time to move ahead with this strategy, given the impending Marriott/Starwood merger. Marriott Plat could be worth quite a bit more going forward particularly if benefits are enhanced to match SPG Plat. At the very least it will move you to the top tier when staying at SPG properties.
Exactly my thoughts. Marriott plat should be worth a little more with the merger.
#1026
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
True, but because they both have three tiers, it's most likely they'd align them to be the same. Requirements to achieve LT status could change post-merger, but anyone who already met the requirements is likely to keep the status.
#1027
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
I would not expect a merged Frequent Guest program until sometime in 2017.
#1028
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
May be a good time to move ahead with this strategy, given the impending Marriott/Starwood merger. Marriott Plat could be worth quite a bit more going forward particularly if benefits are enhanced to match SPG Plat. At the very least it will move you to the top tier when staying at SPG properties.
Hotel owners/franchisees aren't going to want to offer additional benefits just because Marriott acquired SPG. If Marriott increases benefits, I'd expect to see properties leave Marriott for a different loyalty program. Additional benefits cost the owners/franchisees money.
#1029
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Not necessarily. The entire premise of the benefits are that they increase revenue and profits to a greater extent than they cost.
#1030
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
Which SPG benefits do you think would be unrealistic for Marriott to adopt? Are there any Marriott benefits that you think SPG properties might not want to adopt?
Not necessarily. The entire premise of the benefits are that they increase revenue and profits to a greater extent than they cost.
Not necessarily. The entire premise of the benefits are that they increase revenue and profits to a greater extent than they cost.
(2) SNA. Same as above
(3) Guaranteed 4pm check-out. At best, this means longer staff hours since guests may check out later. At worst, in-coming guests gets upset that rooms are not ready.
(4) Your 24 hours. Complicated and harder to manage inventory
(5) Crossover rewards with Delta since they have a partnership with UA.
#1031
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
(1) Suite upgrades (where available). While a lot may claim giving out suites does not cost property more... that is not always the case. Suites are usually larger in size = more time to refresh. Also most suites have additional amenities that a basic room might not have.
(2) SNA. Same as above
(3) Guaranteed 4pm check-out. At best, this means longer staff hours since guests may check out later. At worst, in-coming guests gets upset that rooms are not ready.
(4) Your 24 hours. Complicated and harder to manage inventory
(5) Crossover rewards with Delta since they have a partnership with UA.
(2) SNA. Same as above
(3) Guaranteed 4pm check-out. At best, this means longer staff hours since guests may check out later. At worst, in-coming guests gets upset that rooms are not ready.
(4) Your 24 hours. Complicated and harder to manage inventory
(5) Crossover rewards with Delta since they have a partnership with UA.
#1032
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
(1) Suite upgrades (where available). While a lot may claim giving out suites does not cost property more... that is not always the case. Suites are usually larger in size = more time to refresh. Also most suites have additional amenities that a basic room might not have.
(2) SNA. Same as above
(3) Guaranteed 4pm check-out. At best, this means longer staff hours since guests may check out later. At worst, in-coming guests gets upset that rooms are not ready.
(4) Your 24 hours. Complicated and harder to manage inventory
(5) Crossover rewards with Delta since they have a partnership with UA.
(2) SNA. Same as above
(3) Guaranteed 4pm check-out. At best, this means longer staff hours since guests may check out later. At worst, in-coming guests gets upset that rooms are not ready.
(4) Your 24 hours. Complicated and harder to manage inventory
(5) Crossover rewards with Delta since they have a partnership with UA.
1 and 2. DEFINITELY toast. At best, I could see them adapting a suite program along the lines of Hilton's nor1 where you can buy an upgrade or opt to standby.
3 and 4. Also definitely toast, and you hit upon exactly why they're toast. Any late checkout will be at the hotel's discretion.
None of these seem out of reach, especially if coupled with giving up a couple items. Also, more benefits don't necessarily cost anything... perks are intended to boost revenue and profits, not diminish them. In any case, it's largely speculative at this point. We'll know more as the months pass.
#1033
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
The number one thing that is missing from the Marriott program IMO that both Starwood and Hilton offer is free breakfast. It really annoys me every time I forget and stay at a Courtyard property and find I've been nickled and dimed (or tened and twentied) to death and have to pay for breakfast. Also the BS about full service hotels that don't have a Club Lounge on Weekends and offer you a miserly 500 points.
#1034
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Here we're discussing a way to boost Marriott status rapidly and cheaply. Even in the event that you're a SPG loyalist and believe you'll be getting less bang from the merged program, racking up enough nights to achieve lifetime status with Marriott via meetings is likely one of the most efficient routes to set yourself up for whatever is coming.
#1035
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
I'm not suggesting Marriott will adopt the missing perks. I'm saying that they aren't that substantial when paired off against the ones that Marriott has and SPG lacks, and also that perks aren't designed to cost properties. But that's really a discussion for a separate thread...
Here we're discussing a way to boost Marriott status rapidly and cheaply. Even in the event that you're a SPG loyalist and believe you'll be getting less bang from the merged program, racking up enough nights to achieve lifetime status with Marriott via meetings is likely one of the most efficient routes to set yourself up for whatever is coming.
Here we're discussing a way to boost Marriott status rapidly and cheaply. Even in the event that you're a SPG loyalist and believe you'll be getting less bang from the merged program, racking up enough nights to achieve lifetime status with Marriott via meetings is likely one of the most efficient routes to set yourself up for whatever is coming.
In my experience most people have enough nights for lifetime status at Marriott before they have enough points. So, unless you think Marriott is somehow going to combine Marriott nights and Starwood nights and waive the points requirement and grant you lifetime status, I think this is a very risky strategy. If I were betting, I'd bet that they will combine the Marriott nights and Starwood nights and somehow try to figure out lifetime Starwood points to combine with lifetime Marriott points. But I think you would be looking at at least the current higher Marriott qualification levels. I can only hope that they grandfather Starwood people like me who already have lifetime Platinum (or Gold).