I have now done two EEO two-for-one weekends. (Great promo, by the way.)

In the first case (at the Marriott New Orleans), the folio showed two nights at the quoted rate, followed by a credit for the second night, followed by the net taxes, followed by my credit card payment. (Exactly as I expected.)

In the second case (at the Marriott MSP Airport), the folio only showed one night at the quoted rate, followed by taxes, followed by my credit card payment. In and of itself, this was no problem for me. But I immediately noticed it and thought it was interesting that, according to the folio, I wasn't even in the hotel for that second night.

Where it DID have an impact was at breakfast. The rate I was on was a "two-for-breakfast" included rate, and the restaurant was showing my room as being empty. I had to get the front desk involved, they sort of mused about whether the Marriott customer service agent should have allowed me to use the EEO cert with the "two-for-breakfast" rate, and then just comped the breakfasts.

I'm convinced that had the front desk recorded the stay the same way the New Orleans folks did, the restaurant would have had no problem running the bill. The Marriott agent specifically offered me the "two-for-breakfast" rate, so I doubt there is some policy not to allow customers to use EEO with these rates.

So, for those of you using these certs, you might want to take notice of how they post the nights to the folio: running incidentals to your room might be a problem on your last day if they do it wrong. I believe that the New Orleans folks did it the "right" way and the MSP did it the "easy" way.

(FWIW, I am not at a point where I am closely watching status-nights. I don't know whether the 2nd night of the EEO promotion is intended to count towards status or not.)

[This message has been edited by pinniped (edited 08-06-2003).]

The TFB rate is definitely eligible for use of EEO certificates. Any publicly available rate is eligible. I've done it myself many times.

I have had problems occasionally getting breakfasts comped on the "free" weekend night. (Mondays are not a problem as a Platinum member -- and no days are a problem if the lounge is open.)

Usually, I complain long enough to get what I believe I am entitled to receive. Once the hotel wouldn't budge. I was not happy at all. Seemed like a lot of bad will for a couple of breakfasts. I don't really eat that much!

Bruce

I had the same argument at Marriott Raleigh RTP about two years ago (I think). I had booked a TFB rate for 2 nights with 1 night free -- according to the certs this is allowed.

When I checked I inquired about the breakfast for both mornings and they said "It's only for the first morning, the second room night is free, but not the breakfast." While I could kinda see their logic, I didn't think that was the point.

There was a lot of arguing going on (this hotel is fine but stinks in the way they treat elites -- too many repeat guests that they don't give a $#@%) and in the end the manager gave in, but only after a stern warning that it was an exception.

I am really glad I don't have to go to that hotel anymore -- this was AFTER I'd had been a repeat guest for week upon week for several months!

As an aside, the funniest (in hindsight) was the Courtyard Richmond that said even though I booked TFB, they as a franchise don't offer that. I said I paid $10 more than the regular rate for breakfast, and it doesn't include breakfast? yep... well in the end they adjusted my rate down to the regular rate and the General Manager called and apologized to me.... but again that's another story

Well I just got back from the Albuquerque Pyramid North Marriott using the EEO 2 for 1 deal. We too did the Two-For-Breakfast rate and when we checked in, the agent happily gave us a card good for both mornings. The problem was when we used the card the first morning, the waiter acknowledged it and told us that we could add a tip if we wanted but that the breakfast was free. So we added a tip and later that night noticed we had been charged the full amount (according to the TV Folio Review system). I called the front desk and asked them to remove the breakfast, but leave the tip. The next morning, they had removed the entire breakfast AND charged us for both nights at the hotel. Again, I went to the front desk and explained the problem (didn't want our waiter not getting his due!). She removed the second night's charge and told us not to worry about the tip - that it would be taken care of. Well we made sure by finding the waiter - he said he in fact got the tip! Strange stuff. Then we had breakfast again, this time leaving a cash tip. Overall, a very confusing experience, but some how I think we came out one tip ahead!

Also, FYI, about the hotel, we had a nice Executive Suite room - good size, but not really a suite - just a large sitting area with a second TV, only separated by a half-wall...no fridge, microwave, etc. The bed however was extremely hard! I've stayed in Marriott's in the past (was platinum a couple of years ago) and never had a bed so hard.

-Mike

[rant]
I really wish the hotel industry (or at least the Marriotts, HHonors, and Starwoods of the world) would standardize their use of the word "suite". Hotels shouldn't be allowed to throw around "King Suite", "Executive Suite", or "Studio Suite" on things that aren't really suites!

We got burned once at a Towne Place Suites. Booked a suite, got to the hotel, and realized that there were no "real" suites anywhere in the hotel! We packed four people into the slightly-elongated-but-otherwise-normal hotel room for one night (arrived at 9pm and couldn't exactly cancel), and then got 2 Priceline rooms down the street for the rest of the stay.

I don't care how loose they play it with the word "suite", as long as it's standardized so I know what I'm booking.
[/rant]

I believe the T&C on the reverse of the EEO 2nights-for-1 coupon does state that meals are not included in the free night.

When I reserved my weekend stay at the Fremont Marriott using the EEO at TFB rate, also confirmed that breakfast is only included on the 1st night, not the 2nd. Therefore, I did expect to be charged for breakfast on Sun.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that their extensive Sunday Champagne Brunch in the Harvest Cafe was offered to us at the "American Breakfast" rate ($6 off). The brunch included, in addition to the American Breakfast:
- Filet Mignon
- Steamed white string beans & au gratin potatoes
- Smoked salmon w/ requisite capers, chopped onion and eggs
- salads (pasta, regular)
- seafood tray (shrimp & crab claws)
- dessert tray

I felt we got a good deal, esp. considering the spread at the brunch.

Good point ntamayo - I actually noticed this as well after I had booked the room, even though the agent told me they would both be free. So I kept my mouth shut when I checked in to see what the desk clerk would do - she simply wrote the card to expire the day we checked out - so we got both for free...

-Mike

I'm ressurecting this thread because I hope someone has the answer to the following question:

Do you get 2 nights stay credit when using a Buy 1 Get 1 Free EEO weekend cert?

This is important to me as I am going to be cutting it close for requalification purposes and wanted to know what the general consensu is with respect to how the hotels are now treating these certs and how they impact on nights for tier requalication purposes.

Frankly, I never had considered this issue before and could not find an answer within these pages.

Your assistance would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

NJ

The short answer is "no nights are credited for no-charge stays"

"Elite Membership Requirements


Only nights personally stayed and individually billed at participating hotels are credited toward Elite membership and renewal. Accounts may not be combined to achieve Elite membership."

Go to URL marriott.com/rewards/terms/elite.mi and scroll down to about mid-screen and you'll see the entire section.

Having said that, it's gone both ways for me -- sometimes the "free" night earns me a night's credit, sometimes it doesn't.

Just as a thought it could be, when a hotel has to manually correct charging for a night that should have been free that although they cancel the charge they forget to reset the night's count to N/A (or however they code it).

So, if it were me, I wouldn't count on it happening.

Thanks for the anser Rahmanbar.

Here's another question that I think I know the answer to.

When using a bonus bucks for a 2 night stay, both nights will appear onthe folio and credited as 2 ngiths -- the only thing that should be different is that you should have $100 less bucks to pay (although if the hotel does it correctly, you should earn points on that $100.00, as well).

So, by using the Bonus bucks, I will still nights credit for all the nights stayed at the property, right?

I have gotten one extra night credited in approximately the 6 or 7 times that I have used the EEO offer. I would agree with rahmanbar and say you should count on getting one night of credit in using an EEO.

A bonus buck is treated like cash. You should earn points and nights when you use one. However, you cannot combine a bonus buck with an EEO, since you are not paying for both nights with an EEO.

In general, I have not been getting night credit for the free night.

In principle I agree, but I have used both together when staying 3 consecutive weekend nights.

I agree.

In practice I give them the BB upon check-in (BTW I always retain a photocopy).

It's treated as a deposit (or partial payment) and the folio that comes under the door early on check-out day treats it as a payment (or prepayment) and the the subtotal on the bill shows 2 nights' lodging charges + applicable taxes followed by the $100 (pre-payment) and the correct total due.

It's still 2 'paid' nights and point accumulation (and night count) based on 2 paid nights. (All that's really happened is that you, in effect paid both night's applicable chargesl via two payments.)

Thanks all for your comments. It was in keeping with my expectations, but should one get an extra night, I certainly won't complain!