My experience may have been an exception. Therefore, it is always better to put your dine on your room bill, as well as any other expenses you may incur while at the hotel.

Remember, some brands you only earn points on the room rate --e.g. Courtyards -- so check the rules for each brand.

Status quo? Still no points for restaurant visits?

Well, you were asking Sharon, and what matters is that the Marriott Visa from Chase is what's avialable where she lives.

Anyway, the point is, if you have any Marriott credit card that earns extra points for purchases from Marriott hotels (whatever that card is), then in most cases you should earn those extra points on restaurant purchases inside Marriott hotels (the main exceptions I would expect is if the restaurant operation is "outsourced" including the credit card billing).

Similarly, if you have a non-Marriott credit card that earns extra points on all hotels (regardless of brand), then in those same cases the card would earn extra points on restaurant purchases inside Marriott hotels.

And, conversely, if you have a non-Marriott credit card that earns extra points on all (stand-alone) restaurant purchases, then you would likely not get those extra points for a restuarant inside a Marriott (because the charge would come through as from the hotel instead of from the restaurant), just as you would not likely get the extra points from a restaruant inside a department store or furniture store (Scan!), because those restaurants often bill through the establishment they're inside of.

So what is the final consensus on this? I will be traveling to STT next month, not staying at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort but was hoping to earn 5x the points by dining at the restaurant and bars there. Otherwise, I'll just leave that card at home.

Dining bills have always been coded as a Marriott charge on my credit card which gives me the 5x. I have also had luck setting up the dummy room at hotels before, so I could get my 20x points per dollar (15 from plat and 5 from credit card). This is just my experience.

That's a really good idea! I'll remember that next time I'm in a similar situation. Thanks. :D

Guess I will have to try it and report back. Setting up a dummy room does seem like an extra hassle. What do you tell the front desk I'm not staying here but want to have all of my bar/dining expenses charged to a room :confused:

I'm into points just as much as the next person, but (for me) going through the hassle of setting up a dummy room (assuming the front desk even agrees; not all do) just to get some extra points for a meal is not worth the effort. If you've got a Marriott Visa & use it at a Marriott hotel restaurant, it will code as a Marriott for the 5pts.

Cheers.

I am always getting the extra points when dining at Marriotts.

My experience with this is with The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. The front desk manager is generally always up front helping check people in and she is very familiar with the process. The first time I asked about it, the manager came over to me while I was eating and said it wouldn't be a problem.

You are just assigned a phantom room. As evidenced by this thread I am sure many people have asked at various hotels. I wouldn't rely on a general front desk agents answer, but rather ask for the MOD to see what they can do for you.

Blasphemy, These are Marriott Points Sharon! Say five Hail Mary's and realize what forum you are in.

I would not normally do it, but I would ask if I was spending more than $25 on the meal.

:D :D

On a dif note - if someone is going to go through the hassle of setting up a phantom room, they need to remember to make sure it's at a property that actually gives points on incidentals ;)

Cheers.

I had a reward stay at Courtyard and didn't earn any points on dinning and parking, all paid with the Marriott visa card.

T&C are pretty clear that you don't earn marriott points on incidentals at Courtyards, only on room rate. You should earn points on your CC as a marriott charge however, 3 or 5 pts/dollar depending on which card you have.