Here's my situation - tell me if I'm crazy:

Sitting on 390,000 in points.

Staying at Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista for 7 nights for a spring break trip to Disney with family.

Category 5 hotel.

Have a 2 bedroom room that you can't normally get using points.

Got what I think is a pretty good rate of $152 per night (not including tax).

Considering getting $1,000 in Marriott Cheques for 135,000 points (28% off the regular point amount of 190,000 points for elite members through 12/31/12.

So not a penny per point.

But feels like a good deal to me given category 5, 2 bedroom, & that this will cover 94% of room cost.

A category 5 is 25,000 points per night with the 5th night free so the 7 nights would cost me 150,000 points.

This seems like a decent deal to use the points for Marriott Cheques, right???

Thanks for any input.

i think it might depend on what type of rate you are using!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...xclusions.html

let's see what other MR FT'ers have to say about this.

is that a gov't / company rate in the locality? you might be SOL on using the cheques.

Looks like you & I posted a somewhat related question at the same time!

I am on a AAA rate which seems like it might fall into the exclusions bucket.

pretty neat, eh?

i don't know if these are new or recent exclusions on the T&Cs. maybe this is more MR program enhancements. =)

I would check ahead with the property or check with MR. I called MR and they told me that corp rate was ok. Came to the hotel and they had to call MR to verify. It was stressful as I cashed my points for those 40x$50 cheques. however it all worked out. To avoid stress verify ahead with the property.

I think it's a good use of the points as you get your elite night credits and points on all the money spent. Works out to be about a wash. I am sure you could calculate the exact percentage usage.

I have used them with AAA rate but also been told I can't use them with a AAA rate. So hit and miss.

Good luck.

P.S. Put away the calculator on your trip and just have FUN!

Consider getting a travel package instead.

For 200.000 pts you ll get a cert to stay at a 1-5cat hotel PLUS 50.000 miles or even better for 270.000 pts you ll get 120.000 miles!!

Way better value for your points!!

PS: Also i have never had a problem with the AAA rate when paying with checks!!

Hello,

Has anyone been able to use Marriott cheques for a Niagara Falls package at the Marriott Falls and Spa hotel? I have a reservation for the "Kids love Niagara" and I'm trying to confirm this.

Also, at the back of the cheque, it says reservations should be made in advance using Marriott worldwide reservations. Does it mean the cheques are not valid for reservations made online at the Marriott website?

Thanks.

Nicholas- Where did you find this? I can't seem to get this to come up. Thanks.

https://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi
https://www.marriott.com/rewards/mor...,000&type=call