rtpflyer, the terms on the cert say you must call the toll free number. I am not aware of any way to do it on the internet and I think you have to tell them you are using the W14 cert. I don't think it is treated the same way as making a reservation on the website where you indicate you want to use points for a Marriott Rewards Redemption. Anyone know for sure?

Actually, I used one of the 1 night certs that was earned last fall for a stay in KC last month. I never noticed that you should call the 800 number. I made the reservation online and clicked that it was a reward reservation. No one questioned it at all. It may be that the language on the certs have not caught up with the current technology. It's been only a little over a year that you can book reward stays online. Anyone know if other current certs have different language?

I just read the rules on the W14's, that I have, and it states that reservations for using W14's must be reserved thru the 800# printed on the certs. However in the past I have asked the desk, upon checking in to the hotel, if I can use them for this stay and most of the time they accept them. The hotel is reimbursed by Marriott Corp @ a fixed rate for each cert. If it doesn't cost the hotel any extra, they'll usually take them. Last Jan. we reserved a Junior Suite (didn't want to chance an upgrade) in Singapore @ about $230.00 per night. The hotel accepted the certs and credited us $110.00 for each one. I called the 800# to check on when one must cancel a reservation using the W14's and was advised that it was the same rule that the hotel has for it's other rooms. Ie---If the policy is 6 p.m. for other rates, then the W14's may be cancelled by 6 p.m. also. But, after thinking about it further, if it were me, I'd reserve a room @ the lowest rate I could find, and if the certs arrived in time I'd call the 800# and attempt to book using the W14's. Always remember to cancel your other reservation. Once this mistake occurs, it usually doesn't happen again!

THat's the problem with most of these "free stay" promotions. They are only good if you want to visit Aunt Bessie in Outer Mangolia. THey never offer them for the good places to go.

The Renaissance in downtown Chicago is listed as a Category 4 (which surprises me). We stay there every year a few times so I am pleased with the value I will get for my certificates.

Is this limited to only two free certificates or can I stay another three nights and get two more certificates? I couldn't tell from the terms.

Terms & Conditions: Registration for this promotion is required. Weekend night awards expire December 31, 2002, and are valid Friday through Sunday at category 1 - 4 hotels. Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for points/miles, free weekend nights or toward elite level status. A maximum of 2 free nights may be earned per member for this promotion. All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.



[This message has been edited by SeeYa (edited 04-11-2002).]

Didn't Marriott instate a "no blackout" policy. These award nights will be a good test of their new policy...

No, however, they did add a new award tier with no capacity controls that cost more than the standard, capacity controlled awards.

Promotional free nights like these (and Hyatt's FFN and Starwood's Free Fridays and Free Saturdays) are capacity controlled in all the hotel programs as far as I know.

-David

Thanks for pointing out that you must call the 800 number regarding reservations using the W14 certificates.

I have two award reservations using W14's for a total of 3 nights coming up over the next several weeks. These were previously booked via the website (I typically only book through the website to keep all my reservations in one place).

I got a very helpful CSR when I called. She told me that the main reason for calling the 800 number is so that they can notify the property to expect the W14 certificate rather than the usual award certificate. The inventory available for a W14 stay is the same for a regular award stay.

In my case, my usage of the awards have been very useful. I have a one night stay in ALB during the same period as the SUNY-ALB graduation. The best rate I was able to obtain at a Marriott or Courtyard was $169. However, they did have award availability.

Likewise, I was able to get two nights at the Spring Hill Suites in MSY during the last weekend of JazzFest. These rooms are currently going for $189/night.

The W14 certificates I'm using were earned during the promotion at the end of last year. Between my wife and myself, we should earn another 6-8 of these over the next two months. That should cover all my stays at the PIT Renaissance (which unbelievably is a category 3) for Steeler games next fall and for the Baseball in the 'burgh event in June.

Gotta love all those extra free night awards!!

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 04-12-2002).]

Bill .. I thought you could only earn 2 free nights per member?

-David

There are currently two 'free nights' promotions ongoing.

First is the Take 2 promotion. For this, three paid stays = Silver + 2 Free Weekend Nights. This is for stays 3/15 thru 6/15. The free night certificates are issued on a 'rolling' basis as you qualify (apparently) and are good thru 12/31/02. Even if you are currently an elite, you still get the free nights.

Also, there is a AAA promo for which you must register. For this, you receive 1 Free Weekend Night for every 3 paid weekend nights between 3/1 and 6/30. You can earn a max of 3 weekend nights (W14) certificates with this promotion. Award certificates will be issued after the end of the promo and will be good thru 6/30/03.

Marriott hasn't been doing much with bonus points in recent months, but all these free weekend nights certainly make up for it.

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 04-12-2002).]

I've been told you should be able to book these online by entering "w14" in Corporate/Promotional code box but I haven't tried it yet

How about some more postings on availability limitations if any have been encountered. That is always a major concern with "Free Nights" promos as noted above.

Seattle Madison Renaissance 1st week-end in July. Tryed the W14 code in the promotional box on the web. Nope! Called the 800#! Yep, available! Cheapest room $170.00 (AAA).
Booked it! Only one small problem. Since this reservation was booked on the phone, I cannot retrieve it @ Marriott.com. However, I did get an e-mail confirmation within minutes. "Piece-o-cake"!

Actually, Tufbear, you can by using your confirmation number and last name at this webpage: https://www.marriott.com/reservation...-D9A036FF6BEF}

Sorry, I don't know how to make a link within FT.