I've honestly been thinking about adding recommendations to the Wiki, particularly as I'm struggling with the same thing myself again. I previously stayed at the Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo during Cherry Blossom season and I thought it was a great use that went beyond the typical "beach for seven days." The hotel itself has a ton of cherry trees and was absolutely gorgeous this time of year. Also conveniently located to the train station and you can easily grab trains to leave Tokyo for day trips.

I take it you prefer to visit multiple locations while traveling, not staying in any one place for more than a few days. If so you will have to break with your habits to take advantage of this excellent offer. Fortunately there are lots of hotels in places worth spending a week at.

I suggest you look for a hotel that is both next to something nice and also a reasonable base of operations for visiting multiple things in the broader area. That's the approach I use. I've booked week-long stays at beach hotels that are also near cities, parks, and/or cultural attractions I'd like to visit. Understand that "near" may mean 2 hours away by car or transit. The world doesn't come on a silver platter.

Updated Data Point - I was still unsuccessful in my latest attempt, but i can confirm the package definitely still exists for Vacation Club owners

TBD if is now restricted to them in practice, and not just in theory

What number to call to extend a travel package?

any help appreciated.

Call MR. Explain your situation. If agent can't help ask for supervisor. Worst case they can't do it.

Doesn't hurt to ask. In my experience if something can be done, they will do it.

Good luck.

Thanks. The deed is done.

Advice needed.

I'm just a bit short of the 270k needed for a cat 1-5 package + 120k AS miles.

I have about 296k UR and 118k MR.
Should u transfer my UR 1:1 to Marriott or MR to SPG to Marriott?

I think MR are valued less?
My primary redemption are primarily premium seats to Asia.

MR = the original Amex home-grown program?

I *think* UR has a better theoretical value, as high as 1 Hyatt point which is around 2 cents for most people. But I don't know (Amex) MR well at all. I briefly had that in the 90's...haven't done anything with it since acquiring my SPG Amex some years ago.

So if both MR and UR are 1:1 to Marriott, I guess I'd use MR first...

We did a 7-night one in Paris and another TP in Hawaii at a resort. Lots of options...think of it as a base for exploring nearby areas instead of being stuck in one place for 7 nights and more options become available.

Yes MR is the Amex home-gown program.

I figured as much as well, but MR does have some interesting transfer partners such as ANA.

The problem, especially on this board, is that MR usually means Marriott Rewards and not Membership Rewards. So it would be better to clarify "MR" as "Amex MR".

Marriott has the book four award nights and the fifth night free. Would this apply to a five night cert, get the sixth free ?

1. By all available evidence, you will simply not be able to get the 5-night package unless you're a Vacations owner. No reports of success in the last few months.

2. No further free night on top of the package free nights.

If you do the math on the 7 night packages and count the miles at a 1:1 ratio with MR points, you will find that you are only paying for 6 nights when you get 7 on the certificate side. It is because the fifth night is free. Even with the travel package.

Here is an example of the Hotel + Air Package 1 category 8 where you get 120,000 miles.

Package Cost: 360,000 MR points
Subtract 120,000 Miles.
Cost of Hotel Portion: 240,000 points

Regular Category 8 Night Redemption per night: 40,000 points
Cost of 7 Nights: 280,000 minus 40,000=240,000 points

So you see, in the end, you are kind of getting the fifth night free. These same numbers work out across all packages with the exception of United. Though even with United, the numbers work out the same if you don't include the 10% bonus points.

This however doesn't apply to the Marriott Vacations Owner five night travel packages. Those packages are based on the pricing of the 7 night packages prior to Marriott devaluing the program in 2011. There is no free fifth night free in the five night package like you see in the seven night package. In face, in the case of the category 9 five night package, you are paying for all five nights and all the miles at a 1:1 ratio. Other tiers have a slight discount on the fifth night.