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Originally Posted by RafKa
(Post 29770328)
The more I think about it, the more I think this may be the case, esp with Cat 1-5 packages. Even if the Certs map into Cat 1 regular rate, you’d be getting 382,500pts worth of pts and miles for 300,000 pts (120k miles = 300k pts + 7 nights @ 7,500pts each). If certs map into Cat 1 upside would be 82,500pts If certs map into Cat 2 upside would be 117,500pts If certs map into Cat 3 upside would be 152,500pts Again, am I missing something here? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.c...travelpackages Read the TP part, and in another write up the speculation. https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.c...age-arbitrage/ |
What you are missing is that you DON'T get award night points x nights if you cancel the hotel cert. For example if you get a 270 point 120k miles plus cat 1-5 and then cancel the hotel cert you get 35 (or was it 45)k points back into your account, slightly more if it is cat 6 but NOWHERE near the point value of points/night x 7!!!!
I'm sure they will not give more (but not so sure about less) when the programs merge - no program ever has :(
Originally Posted by RafKa
(Post 29769813)
So, I never booked a Marriott Travel Package in my life, but based on the Lurker's response below on the SPG forum, I got thinking...
10. Question on the "floater certificates" being canceled and points redeposited into the account on Aug 1st. Does this include outstanding Marriott Travel packages here: Flight and Hotel Packages Marriott Hotel Packages Floater certificates, including outstanding Marriott Travel Packages, will be cancelled and converted to equivalent points, credited to the member’s account for future redemption. <added by Starwood Lurker 18May18> So, if I book, say a 230,000 MR pts for 7 Cat 6 nights package + 50,000 AA miles, am I right in thinking I would get the equivalent of 7x Cat 6 points credited back to my account (7x30k = 210k) and still keep the 50k AA miles? This means that 50k AA miles (or Avios, in my case) would have cost 20k MR points, instead of 120k (considering there'll be a 5k bonus for every 60k pts converted). Or am I missing something here? There's a likelihood that would map into a lower Category, correct. But from the wording, it looks like it'll be a straight points conversion, and not another 7-night cert (which I don't really like as I prefer to book 5 nights at a time to maximize points). |
My guess is that you’d get the equivalent amount of points the package is worth. So a 7 night category 1-5 is worth 6 x 25K = 150K since the 5th night is free. This is the amount in points the certificate is worth if you booked with points. Would be great to get confirmation on how it officially works.
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Originally Posted by AICML
(Post 29770636)
My guess is that you’d get the equivalent amount of points the package is worth. So a 7 night category 1-5 is worth 6 x 25K = 150K since the 5th night is free. This is the amount in points the certificate is worth if you booked with points. Would be great to get confirmation on how it officially works.
A question for the board - I tried to use another cert I have expiring in September for a booking in March - was told not possible. I presume I will have to book something pre August, cancel it, and then will have a cert. valid till July 2019 to use pre changover ? |
Just out of interest but can anyone clarify when the peak/off peak dates kick in? I ask because I cannot figure out if they kick in for 2019 bookings from August or they kick in from booking made from Jan 2019. Apologies in advance if I am being dense.
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Originally Posted by EmeraldLady
(Post 29770710)
When I cancelled a Cat 9 cert last year, the figure of 160.000 appeared in my Activity (the underlying Cat 1-5 with 120.000 Avios had cost 270.000 and then 120.000 on top to upgrade)
A question for the board - I tried to use another cert I have expiring in September for a booking in March - was told not possible. I presume I will have to book something pre August, cancel it, and then will have a cert. valid till July 2019 to use pre changover ? |
Originally Posted by musicscrip
(Post 29771330)
Everyone would be really mad if they only refund 160000pt for a cat 9 travel package because we didn't cancel it ourselves but they cancel on us. In reality, they should be refunding 270000pt...7 nights at cat9 For a Cat1 to 5 I believe you would only get back 45K. You can do the math for each incremental pt refund based on the difference needed for each category up. Keep in mind, the miles can not be reversed. Hence the math, and the "rub". |
Originally Posted by t1c
(Post 29769531)
Just out of curiosity are you doing 2 packages because Bali business class is 120k or more R/T for just 1 person if your using all points.
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Originally Posted by theOtherHolmes
(Post 29767860)
We just did this. Transferred SPG to MR for a cat 5 7-night package with 120K AS miles. We used the cat 5 7-night for Hangzhou JW Marriott next March, then we will pay for Bali accommodation (likely Amankila), then we fly back on CX (100K AS for two in J). We will have two night stopover in HK, and stay at the Ritz on points. If you have never been to China, consider using the 7-night certificate in Shanghai. If you want to use Alaska miles to get your CX, you need to get your miles ASAP since flights in March and April 2019 are already available for redemption. |
Originally Posted by Happy
(Post 29771861)
It does not calculate this way. When you cancel, the redemption is recalculated AS IF you exchange hotel pts for miles, the overage would then be refunded to you.
For a Cat1 to 5 I believe you would only get back 45K. You can do the math for each incremental pt refund based on the difference needed for each category up. Keep in mind, the miles can not be reversed. Hence the math, and the "rub". |
Originally Posted by Happy
(Post 29771861)
It does not calculate this way. When you cancel, the redemption is recalculated AS IF you exchange hotel pts for miles, the overage would then be refunded to you.
For a Cat1 to 5 I believe you would only get back 45K. You can do the math for each incremental pt refund based on the difference needed for each category up. Keep in mind, the miles can not be reversed. Hence the math, and the "rub". |
Originally Posted by pointsbrah
(Post 29772113)
How did you find the availability for when you booked? Did you use BA / Qantas to find it then call in?
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Originally Posted by musicscrip
(Post 29772249)
I totally understand and it makes sense to me IF I am the one who wants to cancel my travel package. BUT if Marriott is doing that to us would be VERY unfair. Because we didn't ask them to cancel our certificate but they are cancelling it to convert pt into new program. I asked about this in the thread so hopefully I will get an answer from SPG Lurker. |
Originally Posted by Willbur
(Post 29772234)
They currently give back 45,000 for a Cat 1-5 when you choose to cancel (which is the equivalent of Cat 1 x 6 nights) but I imagine there's zero chance this is what's refunded if Marriott cancels the cert at their choosing. This doesn't even give you the points to book 2 nights at a Cat 5.
Originally Posted by musicscrip
(Post 29772249)
I totally understand and it makes sense to me IF I am the one who wants to cancel my travel package. BUT if Marriott is doing that to us would be VERY unfair. Because we didn't ask them to cancel our certificate but they are cancelling it to convert pt into new program. I asked about this in the thread so hopefully I will get an answer from SPG Lurker. Currently there is nothing to suggest Marriott would cancel the certificate and not refund the owner anything. Unless I have missed it, which is entirely possible as I came back from a 35 days trip just last week and now is playing catch up. What I believe is, Marriott would replace the existing certs with the categories the old categories mapped to. I hope it would be a fair one because when they do the SPG to Marriott conversion at 1 to 3, ir is a very fair one. You guys are pulling hairs out speculating on things that is totally unknown and most likely would not happen, i.e. cancellating certs without at least refunding the pts at current level. Remember, the Travel Package is designed in a way that you get better value by having the miles and hotel stay tied together. You could choose to do it separately, with less value to you than the TP option if you feel the probability of Marriott not refunding any pts when it cancels the existing certs. |
Should I use a travel package for a Hong Kong visit?
I’m looking at a 2 bedroom, 7 night stay at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong (category 9). It’s 270,000 points for the stay (45k/night; fifth night free). Alternative I could do 7 Nights + 132,000 UA Miles for 390,000 Marriott points. Is either “better”? Currently I am flush with both points and UA miles, but low on Marriott nights (trying to get lifetime status before end of year).
The stay is in October and I’m not sure if there’s a benefit to booking before or after the August merger. |
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