Marriott Gift Cards no longer coded as "Visa"
Apr 26, 2011 | 5:35 am
#46
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Naples FL, Munich DE
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,816
In my experience, not if they know what they're doing.
I stayed at a hotel in Germany over the weekend, and when I went to check out, the Front Desk associate said they had a new procedure for gift cards, and to please bear with her as she went through it since she wasn't completely familiar with it. She got out the instructions, and followed them, and the cards went through without a hitch.
It seemed to work that way. I'll have to see what the remaining balance charged to my credit card turned out to be, but it does seem that the currency conversion fee (3%) charged when VISA handled the gift card transactions didn't apply.
If the process saves the 3%, that's a plus right there.
I stayed at a hotel in Germany over the weekend, and when I went to check out, the Front Desk associate said they had a new procedure for gift cards, and to please bear with her as she went through it since she wasn't completely familiar with it. She got out the instructions, and followed them, and the cards went through without a hitch.
In the past, I find that even if I check the balance of the cards online, I still cannot get it right for foreign transactions due to the currency charge. So if the hotel calls the administrator for a balance on the card, does this mean the balance is in local currency after the currency exchange fee?
If the process saves the 3%, that's a plus right there.
Apr 26, 2011 | 9:02 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Apr 26, 2011 | 12:30 pm
#48
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
I took a Plat challenge in Feb and have done the 18 nights required for that and in the process also on the way to getting 40k bonus points.
This has made my staying at Marriot property very often ..
Apr 27, 2011 | 2:03 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS Plat, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,167
I recently used a Marriott TravelCard to pay for a stay at the San Mateo Marriott. Lucky me, I was apparently the first one to use the card there under the new system. There was a scramble among the front desk employees, and they had to call for instructions and/or authorization. It took about 10 minutes total.
But thanks to this thread, I knew about the potential problem and allowed extra time in case it was an issue. Hopefully next time they'll know what to do, but from lkar's post, it sounds like they'll still need to call.
But thanks to this thread, I knew about the potential problem and allowed extra time in case it was an issue. Hopefully next time they'll know what to do, but from lkar's post, it sounds like they'll still need to call.
As before, the payment was described as "Payment - Voucher" on my receipt, along with my full TravelCard number, so no mention of Visa. The good news is that I have received points & stay credit for both stays.
Oct 31, 2011 | 8:41 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
fyi if anyone wants to take advantage of the Visa Megabonus offer and use gift cards simultaneously, simply use multiple payment methods when you check out. i.e. charge your gift cards for a large portion of the bill, and use a Visa card for a small portion of the bill. In my experience with 3 hotel stays in the US, doing it this way counted all 3 stays for the Visa Megabonus promo. In all cases, I presented my Visa card at checkin, and presented gift cards at checkout, leaving the remaining balance on my Visa. My 4th stay is coming up in early December, and I plan to do it the same way.
Oct 31, 2011 | 8:55 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Is this Megabonus critter targeted?
Oct 31, 2011 | 10:32 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
Not sure, but you must register by today!
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/prom...promotion=VF11
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/prom...promotion=VF11
Oct 31, 2011 | 2:49 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
fyi if anyone wants to take advantage of the Visa Megabonus offer and use gift cards simultaneously, simply use multiple payment methods when you check out. i.e. charge your gift cards for a large portion of the bill, and use a Visa card for a small portion of the bill. In my experience with 3 hotel stays in the US, doing it this way counted all 3 stays for the Visa Megabonus promo. In all cases, I presented my Visa card at checkin, and presented gift cards at checkout, leaving the remaining balance on my Visa. My 4th stay is coming up in early December, and I plan to do it the same way.
Nov 2, 2011 | 12:03 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott/SPG Plat
Posts: 30
Used a gift card in Germany a few days ago and lost about 2% presumably to currency conversion.
It seemed to work that way. I'll have to see what the remaining balance charged to my credit card turned out to be, but it does seem that the currency conversion fee (3%) charged when VISA handled the gift card transactions didn't apply.
If the process saves the 3%, that's a plus right there.
It seemed to work that way. I'll have to see what the remaining balance charged to my credit card turned out to be, but it does seem that the currency conversion fee (3%) charged when VISA handled the gift card transactions didn't apply.
If the process saves the 3%, that's a plus right there.
Nov 2, 2011 | 10:23 am
#55
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA-Gold AA-Gold, Marriott Lifetime Tit. Elite
Posts: 307
Nov 6, 2011 | 5:07 am
#56
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Naples FL, Munich DE
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,816
Jan 25, 2012 | 8:56 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: HHH
Posts: 208
Last week Courtyard Panama MetroMall would not accept my gift card. Clerk claimed that previously the hotel could process the gift cards as VISA but did not yet have a system in place to process gift cards with the new provider. Because my bill was only about $20 in incidentals, I did not pursue the matter.
Last edited by DCAGUY; Jan 26, 2012 at 3:22 am
Jan 25, 2012 | 5:27 pm
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
+1 .......... once the properties understood how to use the new cards (Spanish properties didn't), no problems (4 in China and 4 in Thailand with 3 in Australia to go)