Jul 30, 2016, 4:21 pm
Last edit by: Slickw
LINK TO CHART
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2019)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
The codes for the new partial packages are:
New Cat 1-4: QP83
New Cat 5: QP91
New Cat 6: QP99
New Cat 7:
The legacy certificates map to the new certificates as such:
Cat 1-5 => Cat 1-4
Cat 6 => Cat 1-4
Cat 7 => Cat 5
Cat 8 => Cat 5
Cat 9 => Cat 6
Tier 1-3 => Cat 6
Tier 4-5 => Cat 7
==================================================
If you are unsure where you will use your 7 night stay, when you request the package, just ask for a category 1-5 hotel. That way you are out of the least number of points. If later, you decide to book for a higher level category, then you can do so and pay the difference the travel package points. If you can't use your certificate within the year, then as close to the one year anniversary (without going over!) call to extend the certificate for one more year. That's as long as they will typically allow, one extension. There is an option to expedite the mileage delivery to within three business days (sometimes faster) for $15. There are reports that this fee may be waived for platinum members.
Effective April 1 2017 re: Southwest & the companion pass:
"Purchased points, points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, and e-Rewards, e-Miles, Valued Opinions and Diners Club, points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment, tier bonuses, flight bonuses, and partner bonuses (excluding points bonuses earned on the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase) do not count toward Companion Pass."
************
Can I book SPG properties with my Marriott Travel Package? As of 9/1/2018 apparently not. see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30155836-post6529.html
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2019)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
The codes for the new partial packages are:
New Cat 1-4: QP83
New Cat 5: QP91
New Cat 6: QP99
New Cat 7:
Originally Posted by Marriott Rewards Insider
Members who purchased a Category 6, Category 8 or Tier 1-3 certificate prior to 8/18 are able to request a one-time exchange for a Travel Package one category lower. This process will cancel your current Travel Package, reissue a Travel Package one category lower and result in a refund of 30,000 points to your account. To submit a request, follow these steps:
Source: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...es-update.html
- Select “Packages - Deals” from the “Topic” drop down menu
- Submit your request
Source: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...es-update.html
The legacy certificates map to the new certificates as such:
Cat 1-5 => Cat 1-4
Cat 6 => Cat 1-4
Cat 7 => Cat 5
Cat 8 => Cat 5
Cat 9 => Cat 6
Tier 1-3 => Cat 6
Tier 4-5 => Cat 7
==================================================
If you are unsure where you will use your 7 night stay, when you request the package, just ask for a category 1-5 hotel. That way you are out of the least number of points. If later, you decide to book for a higher level category, then you can do so and pay the difference the travel package points. If you can't use your certificate within the year, then as close to the one year anniversary (without going over!) call to extend the certificate for one more year. That's as long as they will typically allow, one extension. There is an option to expedite the mileage delivery to within three business days (sometimes faster) for $15. There are reports that this fee may be waived for platinum members.
Effective April 1 2017 re: Southwest & the companion pass:
"Purchased points, points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, and e-Rewards, e-Miles, Valued Opinions and Diners Club, points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment, tier bonuses, flight bonuses, and partner bonuses (excluding points bonuses earned on the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase) do not count toward Companion Pass."
************
Can I book SPG properties with my Marriott Travel Package? As of 9/1/2018 apparently not. see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30155836-post6529.html
Marriott Travel Packages
Aug 4, 2018, 9:10 am
#4651
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 270
Still waiting on your *prediction*.
Last edited by zozeppelin; Aug 4, 2018 at 9:21 am
Aug 4, 2018, 9:12 am
#4652
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 746
My actual prediction is that in the crunch to get the transition completed they won't be able to do what they want--which is map current TPs to new categories to preserve breakage and inefficient rejections--and that they'll just refund 150K + nx30K where n is Cat - 5.
Aug 4, 2018, 9:52 am
#4653
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
My actual prediction is that in the crunch to get the transition completed they won't be able to do what they want--which is map current TPs to new categories to preserve breakage and inefficient rejections--and that they'll just refund 150K + nx30K where n is Cat - 5.
Aug 4, 2018, 9:57 am
#4654
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
It would be interesting to know the breakdown of how the hotel portion of travel packages have been redeemed in the past. If most customers used all 7 nights, it might increase the likelihood that MPG decides to just offer a full points refund and avoid the aggravation of some of the other options.
I have redeemed MR points for numerous travel packages and have been able to utilize every night of each one before they expired. Since Marriott freely extended certificates, I never had trouble redeeming them. While a straight points refund would be great, I would get almost the same value from a restricted certificate with the same number of points.
If you hadn't just redeemed for multiple travel packages, how would you make a market in the hotel portion of travel packages with a one night bid/offer spread? My answer would be bid 5 nights and offer 6 nights. In other words, if I hadn't just redeemed for multiple awards, I would be willing to pay 100K MR points for a 7-night Category 5 certificate and I would sell mine for 125K. I am not suggesting doing something that might result in having one's account terminated, but this is the type of analysis I use in other areas.
I have redeemed MR points for numerous travel packages and have been able to utilize every night of each one before they expired. Since Marriott freely extended certificates, I never had trouble redeeming them. While a straight points refund would be great, I would get almost the same value from a restricted certificate with the same number of points.
If you hadn't just redeemed for multiple travel packages, how would you make a market in the hotel portion of travel packages with a one night bid/offer spread? My answer would be bid 5 nights and offer 6 nights. In other words, if I hadn't just redeemed for multiple awards, I would be willing to pay 100K MR points for a 7-night Category 5 certificate and I would sell mine for 125K. I am not suggesting doing something that might result in having one's account terminated, but this is the type of analysis I use in other areas.
Aug 4, 2018, 9:57 am
#4655
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 432
My actual prediction is that in the crunch to get the transition completed they won't be able to do what they want--which is map current TPs to new categories to preserve breakage and inefficient rejections--and that they'll just refund 150K + nx30K where n is Cat - 5.
Aug 4, 2018, 10:15 am
#4656
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 746
It would be interesting to know the breakdown of how the hotel portion of travel packages have been redeemed in the past. If most customers used all 7 nights, it might increase the likelihood that MPG decides to just offer a full points refund and avoid the aggravation of some of the other options.
1--Worst Case. My Cat 1-5 becomes a Cat 1-4. I use it for a booked stay at HK Courtyard however it will only be used for 5 nights. Net value to me--100K, which is acceptable.
2--Better Case. Points refund. I use 140K for 5 nights at HK Rennaissance and keep an extra 10K.
3--Best Case. Cat 1-4 becomes Cat 1-5. I use it for a week at Courtyard Midtown East in NYC and save 140K points plus two free night certificates.
It's pretty clear which of these Marriott would want me to do! Just depends on if they can actually get the IT solution together to make it happen.
Aug 4, 2018, 11:15 am
#4657
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
There is no benefit to booking a hotel now at which you don't plan to stay.
Based on what Marriott has always done, cancelling a hotel reservation made with a travel package e-certificate returns the e-certificate to your account at its original value, as though it had never been used. If the hotel you reserve subsequently goes to a lower or higher category, there is no penalty or benefit. Otherwise members would have been able to game the system to improve the value of e-certificates.
Based on what Marriott has always done, cancelling a hotel reservation made with a travel package e-certificate returns the e-certificate to your account at its original value, as though it had never been used. If the hotel you reserve subsequently goes to a lower or higher category, there is no penalty or benefit. Otherwise members would have been able to game the system to improve the value of e-certificates.
Because of the uncertainty of how Marriott would treat the unattached certs, it has caused lots of confusion and anxiety for folks who are holding those, esp their targeted hotels would go down in pts per night, or the targeted hotels are SPG properties.
Personally I am a bit resentful on how Marriott is handling this. Why would we have to play "cliff hanger" when there could be some very simple solution(s) that would be fair to both the customers and the Marriott corporation? The only reason behind this current uncertainty is because Marriott tries from every angle to MINIMIZE its costs on the old TPs as evidenced by how much more expensive the new TPs are. A devaluation no matter how Marriott would spin it. Airlines on the other hand while devalue their miles often at least most the time they gave you several months notice so you can plan accordingly.
Just the treatment of keeping us in the dark till after the fact, is an UNFAIR treatment to members in my opinion.
Aug 4, 2018, 12:38 pm
#4658
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
If I'm transferring to VS, how long do I need to wait after creating an account (thought I had one but apparently never created one)?
Aug 4, 2018, 12:38 pm
#4659
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 270
My actual prediction is that in the crunch to get the transition completed they won't be able to do what they want--which is map current TPs to new categories to preserve breakage and inefficient rejections--and that they'll just refund 150K + nx30K where n is Cat - 5.
What about TPs detached after Aug18? I assume that can not be points refund, otherwise I think a lot of people would drop their reservations and book less nights at the same property, probably 5, and save the remainder for later. Happy to be wrong there.
Aug 4, 2018, 12:49 pm
#4660
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
I don't think Marriott can treat detached certificates differently than never-attached certificates. It's nearly impossible to justify such an action.
Aug 4, 2018, 12:52 pm
#4661
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 270
I am very torn on a Cat 6 booking that the hotel will go down to new Cat 4 (i.e. from 30K currently to 25K after Aug 18). We do plan/need to stay there. The reservation was made BEFORE Marriott put out its new chart. I upgraded the Cat 5 cert to Cat 6 and attached to the reservation. A few weeks later Marriott put out the new charts.
Because of the uncertainty of how Marriott would treat the unattached certs, it has caused lots of confusion and anxiety for folks who are holding those, esp their targeted hotels would go down in pts per night, or the targeted hotels are SPG properties.
Personally I am a bit resentful on how Marriott is handling this. Why would we have to play "cliff hanger" when there could be some very simple solution(s) that would be fair to both the customers and the Marriott corporation? The only reason behind this current uncertainty is because Marriott tries from every angle to MINIMIZE its costs on the old TPs as evidenced by how much more expensive the new TPs are. A devaluation no matter how Marriott would spin it. Airlines on the other hand while devalue their miles often at least most the time they gave you several months notice so you can plan accordingly.
Just the treatment of keeping us in the dark till after the fact, is an UNFAIR treatment to members in my opinion.
Because of the uncertainty of how Marriott would treat the unattached certs, it has caused lots of confusion and anxiety for folks who are holding those, esp their targeted hotels would go down in pts per night, or the targeted hotels are SPG properties.
Personally I am a bit resentful on how Marriott is handling this. Why would we have to play "cliff hanger" when there could be some very simple solution(s) that would be fair to both the customers and the Marriott corporation? The only reason behind this current uncertainty is because Marriott tries from every angle to MINIMIZE its costs on the old TPs as evidenced by how much more expensive the new TPs are. A devaluation no matter how Marriott would spin it. Airlines on the other hand while devalue their miles often at least most the time they gave you several months notice so you can plan accordingly.
Just the treatment of keeping us in the dark till after the fact, is an UNFAIR treatment to members in my opinion.
I think we oversell the cost contribution of the existing travel packages as a whole. In my opinion, a rounding error in the scheme of things due to how few there probably are out there, unattached. They are in the midst of $13B purchase, there has to be much more lucrative items to be focus on minimizing costs for, "synergies" namely removing redundant processes, systems, facilities, people, etc. And has been astutely mentioned many times, companies use the 'one time cost' caveats all the time to sweep acquisition, relocation, reorganization, etc under the rug - and the market buys this. The last thing I think they want is a PR blowup over something effectively insignificant, and I'm sure the blogs would cry bloody murder if something bad happened (can't believe I'm saying something positive about the blogs). They are literally selling packages up to the last day as far as we know, there is no way they're spending any time on how best to nickle and dime them.
Aug 4, 2018, 1:31 pm
#4662
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
So here's the three outcomes I have planned for:
1--Worst Case. My Cat 1-5 becomes a Cat 1-4. I use it for a booked stay at HK Courtyard however it will only be used for 5 nights. Net value to me--100K, which is acceptable.
2--Better Case. Points refund. I use 140K for 5 nights at HK Rennaissance and keep an extra 10K.
3--Best Case. Cat 1-4 becomes Cat 1-5. I use it for a week at Courtyard Midtown East in NYC and save 140K points plus two free night certificates.
It's pretty clear which of these Marriott would want me to do! Just depends on if they can actually get the IT solution together to make it happen.
1--Worst Case. My Cat 1-5 becomes a Cat 1-4. I use it for a booked stay at HK Courtyard however it will only be used for 5 nights. Net value to me--100K, which is acceptable.
2--Better Case. Points refund. I use 140K for 5 nights at HK Rennaissance and keep an extra 10K.
3--Best Case. Cat 1-4 becomes Cat 1-5. I use it for a week at Courtyard Midtown East in NYC and save 140K points plus two free night certificates.
It's pretty clear which of these Marriott would want me to do! Just depends on if they can actually get the IT solution together to make it happen.
Aug 4, 2018, 3:46 pm
#4663
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Programs: DL DM 2MM, AA LTP, Hyatt Globalist, FB Plat
Posts: 826
Aug 4, 2018, 4:05 pm
#4664
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,324
My actual prediction is that in the crunch to get the transition completed they won't be able to do what they want--which is map current TPs to new categories to preserve breakage and inefficient rejections--and that they'll just refund 150K + nx30K where n is Cat - 5.
Aug 4, 2018, 4:49 pm
#4665
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
why? there was cat 5 and there will be cat 5.. there was 8 and there will be 8... anything 8 and above will be valid at any hotel.. clean and simple no refunds remapping rebates and logistical and legal headaches.. your cert is valid for category as stated on the cert...