Simple example: Las Vegas Cosmo stay 01/02-01/06 4 nights - Terrace Studio king

Points redemption: 140,000 points for 4 nights (35K per night)

Gift Cheques: $1,000 for 135,000 points. Cost for 4 nights - $716.80, still have left over for at least another night. All these nights count as Elite nights and you will still earn regular MR points for the stay as PLAT (10,700 points)

great example, but
 

I have used 210k points where my bill would have been a little north of 5k. So depending on the property etc the Cheques sometimes are a better value. Sometimes the points are actually a better value.

I think you would be hard pressed to find a deal like that right now, but I got a week at Waikiki for 100K Christmas before last ($200-300 a night otherwise). Still you are correct in saying that a $300 a night room would eat through those gift cheques pretty darn quick.

Also, for a platinum staying at a Marriott and using the Cheques you would get back 15,000 points, meaning the $1000 would only cost you 120k points (135K - 15K= 120K).

It is still $1000 cash that I didn't need to shell out, that now will just be spent somewhere other than Marriott...

Happy Travels!

That is true, it really depends where you want to use the checks and at what time to use them. The point is, there is certain time it is good to have the cheques but with that choice taken away, it just make me sad. :(

Can you order more than 1 set?

Definitely screwed my self this past summer using 50k pts per night at a vacation club when "cash" was a better value.

If you don't use them in a year are they toast?

Thanks

You can order two at once, and of course can repeat that as often as your point balance allows.

Yes.

That all said, the year-end restriction on the 28% discount on gift-cheques for Elites has been in place for years now, and the difference in price (135K for Gold and Platinums vs. 190K for those without status) is applicable as long as I can think, yet has been always only been valid for the current year.

So I would guess that Marriott may indeed be moving away from the paper certificates towards a gift-card that is just easier to handle, yet I have not seen any indication that the discount will not be implemented again for 2012...

Greetings - Dirk

It would be great if they still issue Marriott Gift Card in place of the paper cheques at the same rate of 135K for $1,000.

Just ordered 3...considering ordering 3 additional for a total of 6 on Dec 31st...

+1

Can the Marriott Concierge please respond
 

Yes, can the Marriott Concierge please respond with details.

I just ordered a set as I could not wait for an answer.

I have a stay coming that will cost me 45000 points for 3 nights or $472 if paid in cash.
Would you buy $1000 worth gift cards for 135k points? (the rest to use later)
I dont see any discount for elites to get the cards cheaper.

I am just unsure if gift cards such a good deal in this case (not counting elite nights advantage)... 6 nights in this place would cost me 90000 points, or 944

For 135k I can get 9 nights, or in cash equivalent $1416.

Again, not counting the benefit of getting elite nights - points are a better deal it seems?

tried another hotel Cat5
cost per night $266, points per night 25000
135000 give me 5 nights
or they can give me $1000 - 3 nights
seems a no brainer...

there must be some sort of cost threshold per room and Cat type (points per night) where gift cards make sense.

Sure it is.

My example:

Tier 4:

5 nights - 80,000 points or $500 (tax and all) - which would be savings of little over 10k points.

Don't forget 5th and 10th night are free if booking on points, not if booking with $$.

Agree but a few of my stays I can only do 4 nights so the 5th night has no value.