George,

I agree that only using Visa will make this promotion unusable to me. I (probably like many other business travelers) use my company AmEx for all expenses.

While Marriott can determine the exact terms for any of its promotions. It seems that limiting the payment type, it is more restrictive than other offers (i.e. number of stays, weekend stays, etc.)

Just curious, does this (just visa) affect any other business travelers like me?

Seems like Marriott would make the promotions to get more business would be less restrictive to reach the largest market that it can. Although, they are probably trying to get more leasure travellers than business travelers as they are the ones that are less likely to travel at this time.

George...

We usually use our Diners Club card for travel stuff, but, no, switching to Visa for double night credit is NOT a big deal...

sbrower,

Thanks for the tip.

Found out I have 689 nights -- ugh, thought I might be over the hurdle. Although its close, I'm no longer traveling like I used to. Not sure when I will get there -- maybe years.

One silly question, and perhaps two:

Will a MasterCard work?

If not, anybody have the link for the MR Visa?

Thanks.

SuperSlug -

The promotion is specific - use VISA. So using a MasterCard will not get you the double points or double nights any more than using Diners AmEx or some other card would.

As for the link, here it is, but don't count on getting a card immediately, if you apply for one.
www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?page=cont&mkid=69D8&partner_dir_name= marriott_rewards

I'm still confused as to the number of points creditted.

Is it: 2 x base points so what is creditted
to your account 2xbase x 10 per $ for a total of 20 x points per $

OR

is it 10xbase as normal + 1 (to make 2xbase)
for 11 points per $

Thanks!

I am fairly certain in saying:

Base is 10x$1 (Bonus is 2-3 extra for status), so you get 20/$1, plus .2-.3 times 10/$1.

[This message has been edited by sbrower (edited 10-18-2001).]

Count me in with the travelers affected by the VISA restriction.

Using a personal credit card for a company expense is a violation of our T & E policy. I have to use thier AMEX.

The extra 90 days may help me, if I decide to make a run for Platinum.

Hello MagicMan,

I was begining to wonder if I was the only one who must use their company provided Amex while traveling.

George...

edited due to UBB coding error http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by fixthed*mnthing.com (edited 10-21-2001).]

George,

The company that I work for has approx. 20,000 employees that travel. All of us have the same rules to follow. I am not sure how closely they enforce the AMEX only policy. I certainly won't jeapordize my job to find out.

I imagine that other large companies would have similar policies. This makes me wonder how much business the "VISA only" requirement is costing Marriott. Hopefully, it is offset by VISA's financial participation.

Bringing it up again.
Any defnitive answer about the nights starting January 2002. They definitively count for the 2002 status. Do they at the same time count for 2003 or for both or can we chose?

Dampflok,

Yes, stays from 1/1/02 to 3/31/02 receive double nights credit for both '02 and '03 status. This was confirmed to me by the MR Gold Customer Service area. Additionally, the postcard that Marriott sent out for the promo seems to confirm this.