I went ahead and cashed in 570k points for 2 Category 1-5 packages with 264k UA miles
Attached the certificates to a hotel I will probably not stay in.

Now I can just sit back and watch all the fun.

You may not be able to upgrade your certificate or the cost of upgrades may be significantly higher post August. There're 4 main scenarios (plus their variations):

Scenario 1 - Certificates are converted to points. In this scenario, the certificate is cancelled and you can use points to book any hotel, but the cost differential (in terms of the number of points) is significantly higher between categories post August.

Scenario 2 - Certificates are converted to points-based certificates. Marriott may or may not allow upgrades/downgrades in this scenario. Even if they allow upgrades, the cost differential will again be significantly higher.

Scenario 3 - Certificates are converted to new category-based certificates. In this scenario, upgrades are likely allowed, but they would be based the new TP chart (meaning higher cost).

Scenario 4 - Marriott grants an extension for the redemption of the current certificates for a fixed amount of time. Upgrades/downgrades are likely not allowed in this scenario.

I have just redeemed a AS 120K 7 night Cat-6 package, with the Cat-6 certificate unattached. Now I am just going to wait to see what will happen with this unattached certificate post August merger.

I have redeemed packages earlier but with 2 Cat-8 already attached to Marriott Maui and Waikiki Resorts which will become new Cat-6 post merger. I am hoping that once they are attached to hotels which become higher categories, those certificated will become new Cat-6 certs and would allow us to unattach them and reattach to new Cat-6 hotels. Not sure how likely that will happen though.

Possible but unlikely, unless current cat-8 certs are converted to the new cat-6 certs.

Need help
 

Basic question.

So I have 240k points in my account and 30k MR points in a friend's account. MR to MR points transfer doesn't seem to be working (not sure if they are intentionally blocking it)

The rep said that if I am sure which hotel I want to book, then points can be combined.

So say I get the 120k alaska package with 1-5 cat and I make a Reservation at a cat 5 property. Once I do this and cancel the Reservation, will I get points in my account or a certificate?

If you cancel the reservation before August, you'll just get the certificate back in your account. However, if you also cancel the certificate itself, you'll get back 45K points in your account.

Post merger it'll cost you 60k per category upgrade (assuming upgrading new and/or legacy certs will be possible). Currently upgrading costs 30k. If you are more likely to use the cert at a higher category hotel, or if you want to take the "certs to points" gamble, it may be best to redeem for a higher category. However, no one knows how the old category certificates will map into the newer categories, so there's a chance you miss out.

Another point to consider is whether it may be worth saving some points to redeem at the Cat 7 hotels temporarily at 60k until Dec 31st. If you commit all your pts into a cert and they convert into a new cert post-merger, you'll be tied into that category.

Did you expedite the Alaska Air miles?

If so , what is the time frame to receive it?

If you didn't expedite it, how long should it take?

Long story and spent 5 calls with incompetent CSR to get back points.

Anyways, I never asked for it but I have a pending charge from Marriot Rewards for $20. Perhaps it is for expediting the Alaska certificate that was order yesterday. If so, when should I receive it?

Sorry don't know. I am still trying to get back my 250k points for the 5 night package I did not order. The first CSR I spoke to just order it. When I asked confirmation of package, it wasn't the 7 nights so she ordered the 7 nights but deducted points for BOTH 7 and 5 night packages.

I was told this morning by a supervisor that she needs to call Alaska to cancel the air miles for the 5 nights package b4 I get my 250k points. I sure the heck hope that this doesn't affect the Alaska air miles for my 7 night package. Can anyone confirm that Alaska Air shouldn't be mixing up my air miles for the 5 nights and 7 nights package?

What a total headache!!

Amazing ...just checked my Marriot app account and it is showing I had an award stay for 11 nights at an airport hotel and I checked out today. And it wasn't even my booking nor my stay. Gosh....I can't wait till I redeem all my Marriott points once I get back my 250k points .

What is the phone number to call to solve the Marriott rewards problem?

There is a very simply solution. It should be able to be handled the same way as a category change. Marriott needs to cancel the 5-night hotel partial package and rebook a 7-night hotel partial package. There are special codes which IIRC are P610 for a 5-night Cat 7 partial package P910 for a 7-night Cat 7 partial package. Someone should be able to locate the codes that are applicable to your packages. Trying to cancel the entire package is making the transaction much more difficult than necessary.

Unfortunately that is not what the incompetent CSR did.
Now I am on the phone with another case number for the 11 nights award stay in Pittsburg and checking out today. I never stayed there. But I am getting megabonus for the stay and I am telling CSR they are not my megabonus for July 23, 2018