I really struggle to find a good redemption on the Cat 1-4s.
Most of the hotels I end up staying at are either above cat 4, or very inexpensive where I would not want to burn these.
I did use one or 2 at the JW Grand Rapids last year which was an excellent redemption.
I am currently planning a trip to SE Asia, and realize how valuable these cat 1-4s can be. I actually somewhat regret my decision to go with the points, but considering it pushes my balance over 270K, I will be eagerly waiting for the next hotel to miles bonus and hopefully cash in for 180K miles and 7 nights at the JW costa rica which would be an excellent value.

You are right if you look at it on a per night value, 4 single night stays yielding 2 free nights is tough to beat, but I wanted to hit minimum of Gold this year, and if I take the 2 free nights everytime I will not be able to requalify.

Fall Megabonus will definetely be for the 2 free nights which I will redeem at one of the Courtyards near Phuket which are going for $250+ on the nights I want. Plus I already hit Gold for 2012 so I am not worried about transferring my business.

it isn't that it is a bad idea, but it could happen that it doesn't post that quickly. And as you can't make a reservation using it until it posts...

Just wanted to report back. I called back in today after I met the requirement of my requested lower offer and the CRS credited my 20K points for 15 nights stay immediately.


Yes, you are, the free certs are limited to Cat 1-4 hotels. While that may work for some, it doesn't work for everybody. I rarely stay at anything less than a Category 6, and even then it is usually an airport hotel which might happen once a year, or possibly my once or twice a year business trip (most of my travel is leisure). So having a few of the Cat 4 or below certs does little for me. Points all the way for me. YMMV.

I was thinking about the same thing too. I wonder if he should call Marriott, and see if they can let him reserve his room with a credit card, and swap it with his certificate as soon as the certificate posts, assuming it will post before he checks out.

Well, maybe this is obvious, but you won't earn your certificate until after your second stay in November. So, your certificate will only be valid from the time it is issued (which should be fairly quickly after the second stay) until May 31 2012, and again in a cat 4 or lower hotel.

Billy

As others have said, it varies. I prefer points, but if I don't think I'll make # of nights to get the points then 2 free nights at a Cat 1-4 beats a poke in the eye with a stick (American phrase, for the int'l folk reading this thread). I've found domestic Cat 1-4s that can be expensive that are worth using the certs for, but I realize others don't.

Cheers.

Guys, I didnt get a notification about this but instead I am registered for:
Marriott Rewards� MegaBonus 2011

Earn 35,000 points after 20 paid nights + an additional 15,000 points after 25 paid nights (up to 50,000) when you use your Visa� card


is my offer switchable to this one?

If you're plat, then Marriott allows a switch. If you're lower ranked, they may, but you'll have to call MR to find out.

Billy

great, thank you - sent an email and got my two certs for the summer offer.
will see how this period turns out later.

I have never done the Visa megabonuses (and I don't have it in my account to look at T&Cs), but any Visa card works, including Visa branded debit cards -- correct? My credit cards are 2 AMEXs and 1 MC, but no visas so I wanted to make sure.

My guess is that as long as it processes through the VISA network it will work.

I don't think Visa Signature = Visa
See this eHow web page:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5007455_wh...edit-card.html

Here are the list of all the Visa Signature credit card from Visa.com
http://usa.visa.com/personal/visa-signature/apply.jsp

As I said before, this visa signature requirement is to lure customers to apply and use Marriott's Chase Visa Signature Reward Card.

Bad idea to count on it? Yes. Bad idea to do it if it happens to post in time (but not count on it)? No.

I have no experience with this kind of promo at Marriott. I do know that in several other hotel programs where I've participated in these kind of stay X times, get a free night certificate promo, the free night certificate took longer to post than the stays themselves took to post (ie, the free night cert did not post at the same instant the stay posted). If Marrriott does this promo the same way, three days would most likely not be enough.

Again, while not knowing how it works specifically at Marriott, based on other programs, if the hotel where you want to use it lets you book a free night on points within hours of check-in, then you may be able to use a free night certificate just as close to check-in. But if it has capacity controls on regular points stays, then I would expect at least similar capacity controls on the free night cert. So it may depend on the particular hotel more than just the certificate.

Finally made the call today and the extra 5k points posted immediately.

If you want to be sure your visa works for the Megabonus, contact MR and get a written confirmation so that in case points don't show up you can dispute.

Usually my e-certs pop up on my account 1 day after checking out from the second stay.