How would you interpret these rate rules from the Marriott.com website? The rate is for a Courtyard in Orlando where the regular rate is $99 and this rate is 10% less, or $89.

The only way to satisfy all of these rules is with a 5-night stay (not a 4-night and not a 6-night...just a 5-night). I was just wondering if one rule took precedent over another when they appear to conflict.

I will resist going on a rant about how Marriott seems to be rolling out more and more 21-day prepaid rates, a la the airlines. This rate is about the only one I can get without the prepaid clause. (If I have to prepay, I'm going to Priceline 100% of the time, to heck with the MR points.)

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Rate Rules
MUST STAY 5 NIGHTS OR LESS
Guarantee Policy
A CREDIT CARD NUMBER IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM/GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
Cancellation Policy
1 NTS RM & TX CXL PENALTY -AS FIRST NIGHT PAYMENT
CANCELLATION PERMITTED
-BEFORE 1800 DAY OF ARRIVAL
Tax Information
TAX 11.500 PCT/ROOM PER NIGHT
Rate Information
LONG TERM STAY DISCOUNT
THE LONG TERM STAY RATE IS A 10 PERCENT DISCOUNT OFF OF OUR
REGULAR RATES
GUESTS MUST STAY 5 NIGHTS OR MORE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS RATE
GUESTS STAYING LESS THAN 5 NIGHTS WILL BE CHARGED OUR REGULAR
RATES, AS THEY WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS DISCOUNT

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It's pretty obvious that the "LESS" word in the second line of the rules is a simple typo, it should say "MORE" instead.

Obvious typo. Rate should say "5 nights or more"

Pinniped, I have some experience with longer-term stays (I have over 400 nights credit with Marriott this year alone), and I don't find anything unusual about this rate, assuming Eugene is correct.

You'll often find tiered rates that get lower the longer you stay. I can't speak for all properties, but the LT discounts usually kick in at 5 or 6 nights. A larger discount might kick in after 12-15 nights, and the largest discount of all generally appears after 30 nights' continuous occupancy. I've generally seen three or four sets of rates (varying with stay length).

Obviously a mis-print in the first line. Just as obvious is the fact that no one at Marriott even bothers to proof read the info that they put out to their customers on the web site. Sloppy, Sloppy Sloppy

Just Passing Thru--

Over 400 nights credit after 320 days in this year??? Permanent residency at Marriott??



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AA 3MM, AA EXP, MR Gold
From: Austin, TEXAS
Agree to TCC code.

Unfortunately that part of the fact page is computer generated based upon the setup of the rate in our reservation system....and what this tells me is yes, this hotel is very sloppy and I'm sure they are wondering why no one is booking it...because they don't have it setup correct....(the system wont allow bookings longer than 5 nights as it's currently setup for them)

So now to answer your underlying question...I would say you could argue that you've met the requirements of the rate if you were to stay less than 6 nights

I've been checked into the same TPS property since January 5. I took most egregious advantage of the double-double promo earlier this year. Socrates could probably figure out my personal info with just a few keystrokes, as I doubt there are many MR members with that many nights' credit this year.

Unfortunately I can't - only a few people (mostly Salt Lake City MR folks) have access to the MR database (for security reasons), everyone else is limited to accessing the database via the reservation system....but we do truely appreciate yours (and everyone else on these boards) business.

BTW: I was at a meeting a few weeks ago where it was mentioned they were adding amenities back for 2003 after cutting them post 9/11 ...(Just thought you guys would like to know)

I too have done many Marriott stays where I took advantage of the long-term discount. I know (some) Residence Inn rates drop enough that a 12-night stay is about the same cost as two 5-night stays. Therefore, if I'm on business in one city for two weeks, I just book a 12-night stay even though I'm back home for the middle Friday and Saturday nights. Makes that middle trip easier because I leave some luggage in the hotel room over the weekend.

I don't mean to rant about those rates; they seem fair to me. I'm just not a fan of what appears to me to be a big movement to prepaid (nonrefundable) rates. Flexibility is my #1 benefit for NOT booking at Priceline, because the points and elite-status upgrade are more than offset by the rock-bottom prices. There is a near-zero percent chance that I will EVER book a nonrefundable rate at Marriott.com, unless that rate is truly within 10-15% of Priceline levels. (And I don't see a $200/night hotel rolling out $75 rates anytime soon.)