I actually plan on using the two Cat 1-4 certificates that I was "gifted" by Marriott this year for a promo.

Problem is, I am not at all comfortable with how they appear on the reservation. This brings back not so fond memories of my first attempt to use the free cert I was given from the MR Visa. It was an awful experience. I saw 40,000 points on the reservation--I didn't know any better. Days before the reservation, I noticed 40,000 deducted from my point balance (I was already out of the country) and had to really push the issue when I returned to get the 40,000 returned to my account because the free night had expired by the time we returned home. The rep said, "didn't you see 40,000 points on the reservation?" I told her of course I saw that but it didn't mean anything to me because I specifically made the reservation using the free night so I didn't know how they coded their awards. I was very green back then. Only slightly less green now.

Anyway, I'm having a deju vu. I looked at the reservation and I see nothing about these two certs. I do see a reference to 40,000 points (2 nights). I called and asked about seeing 40,000 points instead of the free night certificates, and I was assured no points would be taken out and that the two free certs would be used for this reservation. Meanwhile, the two certs are still sitting in my account.

Can anyone tell me if this is typical (to see 40,000 for 2 free Cat 1-4 nights) to see on a reservation?

I do not want a repeat of last time. It was so ridiculous.

Thanks!!

Dawn

If I remember correctly, the times I have used a deposited free-night e-cert, they were removed from my account when the reservation was made and they were attached to the reservation.

So if you are still seeing the certs sitting "unused" in your account, I might call back and ask another agent just to verify.

Another telling sign is that the times I have used my Cat. 1-5 Visa e-certs (at least for the times when it wasn't a Cat. 5 hotel), the online reservation stated that there was a cert mis-match. I assumed this was because the cert was usable for a Cat 5 (and anything less), and I wasn't using it for a Cat. 5 hotel. So if you have a similar situation and see that note, it probably means your e-certs are applied. If you don't, then who knows.

[Edited to add]
I just checked and I actually have a 2-room/1-night reservation for a Cat. 3 RI (I'm heading to the UT/Ark game in November.) I do believe I used points for 1 room and my Cat. 1-5 ecert for the other. The reservation shows at 30K points total cost, but I only see a 15K deduction from my account.

So your reservation may very well be in order. It looks like Marriott's reservation system shows the points that the award would have cost. But if you haven't had the points deducted from your account and the reservation doesn't say something about not having award certs applied (i.e. you see the "if you don't order the needed awards, Marriott will deduct the needed points automatically 7 days before the stay" verbiage), then I suspect your reservation is good to go.

Note I also see at the top of the reservation page the "The certificates attached to this reservation may not match the number of days, room type, or other features of your stay. Please call Guest Services to ensure you have the proper certificates for your reservation" verbiage. But as far as I can tell, my reservation is in order.

Interestingly enough, I came into the office this a.m. to see a "revised" reservation in my inbox!

I got the gal's name/location from Marriott's Plat line yesterday--I told her this really felt like a deju vu of the first time I tried to use a free certificate, only this time, I know a little more about the MR program so I'm trying to correct it before I get to the property.

It is possible that this was an automated update, but I would bet money against that. The only time I received an updated reservation is if I didn't have enough points to cover stay.

My new folio makes me feel so much better. I literally see the following:

79J2011 SUMMER FREE NIGHT 1-4
Reward certificate number: xxxx3545 0

79J2011 SUMMER FREE NIGHT 1-4
Reward certificate number: xxxx3545 0
________________________________________________
Total points for stay 0

Then, the final night has the fee that I agreed to when I booked it online.

Also, it now states, "You have no unused Rewards certificates on file."

I know I feel better seeing this...one less thing to worry about.

Thanks!

Dawn