Marriott Gift Cards no longer coded as "Visa"
Apr 11, 2011 | 9:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: Top Tiers for 2013 AA, MR, PC Thanks FT!
Posts: 712
Marriott Gift Cards no longer coded as "Visa"
Seems Marriott has revamped the way gift cards are processed. They are using a company called givex. On my recent folio, my giftcard purchase was coded "GIFTCARD" instead of the "VISA" or "CCard - VS" used previously. This could definitely affect promotions which require the use of a Visa credit card. Just a heads-up.
Apr 11, 2011 | 10:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold, Everything else: Dirt
Posts: 805
did you still get points?
Apr 12, 2011 | 4:44 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 653
I would be interested to know if a TravelCard posts differently than Gift Card and if you earn points given the T & C of TravelCard now say no points.
Apr 12, 2011 | 7:02 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 302
I still got points for the giftcard last week which was coded as a "giftcard" instead of a "visa".
Last edited by ncfinfan; Apr 12, 2011 at 10:54 am
Apr 12, 2011 | 8:27 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,140
I've not used the gift cards before, but thanks for the heads up re: them not coding as Visa. As you mentioned, that could affect promos for some folk.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Apr 12, 2011 | 10:08 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: Top Tiers for 2013 AA, MR, PC Thanks FT!
Posts: 712
My stay/points have not yet posted....will update when they do.
For what it's worth, the card I used was a "honeymoon" gift card.
For what it's worth, the card I used was a "honeymoon" gift card.
Apr 12, 2011 | 2:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,815
I was trying to use a honeymoon card on Tuesday morning at check out and the guy was having problems running it. Had to call corporate to try to get it done, but I needed to get to the airport so I just paid with a credit card.
Sounds as though they are processing different, so it's good to know there was a reason.
Sounds as though they are processing different, so it's good to know there was a reason.
Apr 12, 2011 | 2:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 302
Had the same problem last week. They previously coded it as "GC" and now have to code it as "GE" to get the system to accept the card. They seem to have failed to communicate this out to the hotels after they made the change.
Apr 12, 2011 | 3:27 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 12,781
You are supposed to get points for using gift cards - that was the T&C I got when I purchased them. It has worked for me so far. Last stay was about 2 weeks ago and it worked.
Apr 12, 2011 | 5:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 293
I stayed a few days ago. it took me 45 minutes to check out. She had no idea how to do it. She couldn't get anyone on the phone either. i finally called the back of the card and got someone. I gave her my cell phone and she could process it. I asked her how she did it so I could tell the next one.
I got my points. It processed as a Gift card. I didn't need it to process as a visa this time but this will be a difficulty in the future.
I was at the Jacksonville Springhill suites.
I got my points. It processed as a Gift card. I didn't need it to process as a visa this time but this will be a difficulty in the future.
I was at the Jacksonville Springhill suites.
Apr 12, 2011 | 6:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 3,042
1. Have the clerk apply the GC to the bulk (but not the entire) amount of the bill
2. Next, instruct the clerk to bill the remainder to your Visa CC
iirc, it's the final (VISA) posting that triggers & qualifies the stay the qualification for VISA based promos.
Apr 12, 2011 | 6:50 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
I thought that workaround stopped working last fall for the MegaBonus promotion, based on what others wrote on the thread for that on FT.
Apr 13, 2011 | 3:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 3,042
Still I appreciate the heads up & will be careful to reread old promo threads the next time a VISA sponsored promo comes around.
Apr 14, 2011 | 12:30 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: MR PP, UA Silver, SW A-List, HH Diamond
Posts: 346
hopefully the trick of using some gift card credit and then VISA for the remainder works for VISA promotions.