Take 2 Promotion
 

Whats the inside scoop on this special?

I am not a freq Marriott guest, but might migrate there due to this special offer. Three stays=2 free weekend nights.

But does this work as well as it sounds. Will I be able to use the free weekend nights in NYC before expiration on 12/31/02 or are their capacity controls?

Whats the scoop experts?

I don't know about capacity controls. I do know that the certs are for category 4 and lower. None of the NYC properties (other than at airports) are Category 4 or lower. Also, you must pay with a Visa.

You scared the piss out of me (okay, slight hyperbole) because I just pre-payed a Renaissance for one of the stays during this promotion with something other than Visa. This is not correct, you do not need to pay with Visa for this promotion (the previous double nights/double points promotion required Visa).

I think this is a great promo ... there are some pretty good Cat. 4 and under hotels to be had ... just not in NYC unfortunately. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You are right. No credit card conditions.

Too bad they do not state in their ads category 4 or lower properties only for the free weekend. I find this very misleading.

Now I need to check on these categories. Thanks.

That's for the Double/Double that expires 3/31.



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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm gettting there fast.

So sorry, Beckles! I was misinformed on this part. If you come to SAT I owe you dinner! Please forgive me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Do the two free weekend nights have to be taken on consecutive nights, or can they be used as two entirely separate one-night weekend stays?

I see no requirement that they be taken together. In the past (on other promotions), Marriott has sent out multiple 1-night certificates good at category 4 or below hotels. I still have a couple that expire 12/31/02.

Bruce

Don't know if this will apply to the free nights received from this promotion-- I had one free night from last year (similar promo)that I tried to use at the LAS RI-Hughes Center (category 4)the weekend of May 18th and was told I could not because it was blacked out for that date. I tried Fri, Sat , and Sun. night. It appears there are some weekends at some locations where it is not valid for use.

When you've qualified for this promotion you will receive two (2) seperate W14 Weekend Night Category certificates that are good at Category 4 or lower Marriotts. I'm assuming that the W stands for weekend. The 1 stands for one night, and the 4 stands for category 4. Each certificate may be used on any weekend night, provided you reserve your room in advance, advising them that you are using these W14's. You will not receive a nights credit for this stay, but any other purchases, i.e. dinner and gift shop items, charged to your room will get you points. Keep your statement, however, because since you are using a W14, the hotel will most likely not report your other points to MR's.
Then you can make two calls about a month apart to MR, faxing them your statement each time, because the first try NEVER works.

The issuance of two W14s showed up in my Marriott Rewards account (zero points, of course) on 4/9.

Bruce

Anyone know if these will be sent out after you third stay or once the promo ends on June 15? I'd like to use these in June if I can, my third stay will be at the end of this month.

My two W14's showed up on 4/9 also, because I qualified almost immediately. I'm guessing that when these showed up on my on-line statement, the certs would be mailed ASAP, as they have been in the past. However, if I were you, I'd double-book my June reservations. First using the W14's and secondly getting the best rate you can at the same hotel. If you get the W14's in the mail before 6 P.M. on the day of your arrival, cancel the $$$ reservations.

But what happens if you don't get the certificates in time? I understood the cancellation window on W14 reservations closed seven days out (instead of the "1800 on day of arrival" typical of $$$ reservations) and that if you "no-show" a W14 reservation they charge your "guarantee" card the "usual" (rack? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif ) rate.

Could be chancy!

(Edited for wrong smilie.)



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

Can you reserve using the W14's on the web just like any other Marriott Reward reservation, or must you go through the toll-free number for the reservation? I assumed that I could just reserve on the web at a Category 1-4 hotel, but now I'm concerned. Thanks.

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. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif 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.

You're 100% correct. I keep forgetting about the "OR" when retrieving my reservations, because I always book on the web. That's why these forums are valuable. Getting guys like me out of "RUTS"!

Thank you, Bill!

-David

And just where do you think I found this info.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Little did I know that my link would actually appear as a real link! Learning something new everyday at FT!

Not exactly... Starwood's Free Fridays and Free Saturdays are not capacity controlled.