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If you were also staying at that property over the same nights, they won't give you double credit for any of the nights (just one night per night), but you will get points for the cost of both stays.
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Foiled! Back to the previous posts for advice!
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Originally Posted by mshapiro99
(Post 18794105)
Signed up yesterday. I have 9 known stay dates ... any strategies on how to inexpensively acquire the additional 3 nights needed to qualify by the end of September?
look up any FI or CY, can be had for <$80 a/i per stay |
Originally Posted by OU812
(Post 18794278)
3 nights should not be that hard. If work travel won't get you there, you can always do a "mattress run," at a nearby Marriott. Marriott's E Breaks can offer some decent rates (Rate code MEB). Around Washington, DC weekend rates can some times be as low as $59 per night in the outlying 'burbs. (Just make sure your book on Marriott.com so you get properly credited for the nights you stay. You can look at other booking sites and use any lower rates you find to file a LNF claim to lower your rate even further.) You don't even need to stay overnight at the hotel (but friends or family may enjoy a mini stacation).
Others may do it differently, but when I do a mattress run, I check-in on my arrival night (you must show up at the hotel), go to the room and hang the, "Do not disturb," sign on the door. Call the front desk on the morning I am supposed to check out and tell them I forgot to drop the keys at the FD and the DND is still on the door, etc. They will check you out, with out any issues. Regards, RIP... Yes, weekend rates at hotels in the IAD area can be dirt cheap. Try M11 and M12 codes (MR member/elite member discount codes); sometimes they'll be a bit cheaper. You will generally find the best deals on Thurs/Fri/Sat night. Better yet, why not look for one or two weekend 'staycations' in the area to go with your family. Maybe pay a few extra dollars a night for an inexpensive trip to Gettysburg/Nags Head/Virginia Beach/Williamsburg/Annapolis/Baltimore - that would get you more value for your money, as a small incremental increase in spending will net you an additional family mini-vacation. |
Great counsel! Confirmed that you can't get credit for 8 stay-nights in 4 calendar-nights. Rats. Will look into an out-of-zip-code staycation as an option. I appreciate the insight.
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Doesn't look like we are going to make it to gold via the Gold challenge ... we'll end up 2 nights short ... thanks all for your advice.
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Change of plans ... we are following advice gained here and paying $59/nt + TX for 2 separate stays to complete the Gold Challenge ... the 2 stays will qualify us for 1 extra night to be used within the year, plus Gold Status through the end of 2013.
Couldn't have done it without you! |
FYI, since this was a mattress run only, I searched for the airport in my area on Marriott.com and checked the "My Dates Are Flexible" box. It identified local hotels and it was a matter of clicking into each hotel to see what rate was available, and for what nights. I wanted to be sure to make each night counted as a stay to get the free night, so I spread this out over several weeks.
I did have to prepay to guarantee the rate, but since they are all pretty close to my house and I didn't really want to stay there anyway, it was a matter of checking in on my way home from work, and following the advice provided about calling the FD and saying I forget to return my keys, etc. I admit that I did go to the property and eat the free breakfast ... Is that wrong? :-) So now I know for next time! Marc |
Originally Posted by mshapiro99
(Post 19301751)
I admit that I did go to the property and eat the free breakfast ... Is that wrong? :-)
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Originally Posted by nissan720
(Post 19302327)
Sounds like a very expensive breakfast
The breakfast on these mattress runs is just gravy. |
Originally Posted by mshapiro99
(Post 19301751)
FYI, since this was a mattress run only, I searched for the airport in my area on Marriott.com and checked the "My Dates Are Flexible" box. It identified local hotels and it was a matter of clicking into each hotel to see what rate was available, and for what nights. I wanted to be sure to make each night counted as a stay to get the free night, so I spread this out over several weeks.
I did have to prepay to guarantee the rate, but since they are all pretty close to my house and I didn't really want to stay there anyway, it was a matter of checking in on my way home from work, and following the advice provided about calling the FD and saying I forget to return my keys, etc. I admit that I did go to the property and eat the free breakfast ... Is that wrong? :-) So now I know for next time! Marc |
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
(Post 19302763)
If you go over to the hotel for the free breakfast, why not check out then in person? That way you can get a hard copy of the final bill to use in case the nights and points don't post.
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Originally Posted by mshapiro99
(Post 19302348)
The breakfast on these mattress runs is just gravy.
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Originally Posted by plagwate
(Post 19302949)
I've found it to be cold cereal and microwavable sausage biscuits. :rolleyes: :D
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Originally Posted by mshapiro99
(Post 19302966)
Then I'll bring my appetite!
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