I can tell you from my OWN experience that once I subtracted the points needed for the airline, I got most of my points back. I'll have to look it up. I'll post the results here in the AM.

the points you get for a return CAT 1-5 7-night cert is 45K. for each CAT up, you get the full 30K back.

Just did 2x AA transfers to use for an EY redemption. Hopefully the points will arrive before my 5 day hold expiration ends!

I cashed in my TP on the afternoon of Thursday June 1, but AA miles have not yet posted to my account. A bit surprised; hopefully tomorrow.

I'm definitely interested in knowing exactly how many points you get back out of the deal - I've inquired before and the offer just wasn't enough for me to even consider. Granted, I've only redeemed for cat 1-5 packages, and that above post seems to indicate that you get full credit back for the upgraded categories... I don't think they even offered 45k for mine, but it's been awhile and I could easily be mistaken.

I just cashed in a bunch of Marriott Travel Packages. Likely will not use them and would be more interested in getting points back to use for future trips. I spoke to a rep and she said that you need to wait almost a year before you can convert back to points. Is this similar to others experiences? Thanks.

My last transfer (non-expedited) to AA took 13 days. :td:

You get refunded the full amount for the incremental increase portion, hence:

Cat 1-5 45K
Cat 6 75K
Cat 7 105K
Cat 8 135K
Cat 9 165K

So if you use it for a 4 night or longer stay it is best not to return it.

I ended up "wasting" it on a seven night $100 a night stay, so I figure those 45k points were worth a little more than 1.5c apiece. I really feel like they offered fewer points than that, but again, that might just be my imperfect recollection.

In FT fashion, what does that all mean? You're looking at 225k for a 120k mile package (or 132k package for United) which is significantly better than the normal miles-only transfer rates. I still value the base certificate at more than 45k, but regardless, it highlights the value that travel packages present. As much as I'll miss SPG (I more or less abandoned MR a couple years ago) I'll survive as long as options like these remain.

I want to book 4 weeks at the same hotel.
I have 2 7 night certs and a friend has 2 7 night certs that I want to use.
Can I book 4 weeks on points and just apply both mine and his 7 night certs?

Also who would get the stay credit in this situation?

The certs from the travel package need to be booked by a Marriott Rewards agent; you can't do it yourself. You will end up with 4 stays booked, each 7 nights long. Elite nights credit will go to the person who redeemed each package.

If the certs are coming from multiple accounts, would there be a way to combine the reservations?

Anyone?

Just before you start your stay. You can book an award stay without the points so I would reserve it as far out as possible and upgrade my cert as soon as I have the points. If you have the points why not just do it now?

Was able to upgrade a Category 1-5 Travel Certificate today to a Category 7. I called several numbers on website and was told could not be done after being put on hold for a considerable amount of time. I finally got the number (1-800-228-2100) for the Silver Elite and was able to get it done. I was beginning to think it wasn't happening. Thanks to FlyerTalk community for suggestion to call the Elite #.