Old Jul 30, 2016, 4:21 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Slickw
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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:
  • Select Packages - Deals from the Topic drop down menu
  • Submit your request
As a reminder, status.marriott.com will periodically have additional updates.
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
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Marriott Travel Packages

 
Old Aug 24, 2018, 6:50 am
  #6301  
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by LDoc
There is a lot of good work here to determine the reward codes and point values, but I am not completely sure how this information unlocks getting things we all want to accomplish (i.e. upgrade with 30K points OR downgrade with 30K refund) when speaking with a CSR. Or, is the code detective work only about canceling a travel package and getting points refunded (45K for the cat 1-4 + difference in higher category costs)?
I fully intend to upgrade my cert to a cat 7 or even cat 8. I think Marriott is not allowing upgrades because this system is convoluted and confusing. There also don't seem to be "guard rails" so to speak based on what we're slowly learning - you could get exactly what you want on the first try or get royally screwed.

I'm trying to figure out the partial package table to be able to call in and "exchange" my 225k (nonsense) Tier 1-3 partial cert for a 225k Cat 7 cert (which I'm guessing is either going to be QP107 or QP07 depending on if the codes go to 3 digits or not).

If we can give the rep a booking code then the odds if this working go way up
nick793 is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 7:23 am
  #6302  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Originally Posted by kapooncha
Has anyone been able to successfully redeem points (not a TP) for an SPG property?
Yes, I was able to book : Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai for 2 nights 66K points each. Which is a great deal considering it includes all meals and 2 activities per day. Cash rates are just over $1K per night.
imverge is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 7:44 am
  #6303  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,501
Originally Posted by Happy
It is the INTENT that counts

The INTENT has NEVER been putting customers benefits ahead. I dont think anybody can deny this.

The INTENT has always been to generate the highest breakage, or in other words, to reduce the highest possible amount of liability carried on the books with the least possible cost (actual hotel stays).

That is why they did not communicate and deliberately not only kept everyone in the dark, but INTENTIONALLY sent out trial balloons with totally misleading "information". If you care to look back, MOST of the "information" the SPG Lurker was told to tell us, has NOT come true whatsoever. In fact in many cases the opposites happened when people are urged to do things on the other directions,

Just look at how the system is designed for those who have attached their certs to the properties as they are being to do so would be for the best of their benefits - when they tried to make any change to the bookings even though the hotels have not changed categories - Certs were automatically canceled by the system with point refund - it takes a Hercules effort to get your cert back so you would not become one of the "breakage" that Marriott has been factored in.

It is not bad marketing strategy, nor customer relation issue. It is a well-thought out, carefully planned strategy. A strategy being formulared based on the data it has collected from the customer reaction to the trial balloons set off since April that led to the final days, fully intended for only one thing - to benefit the corporation, using an extremely questionable handling of the customers.

Remember, Marriott initially had NO intention to refund the 30K overcharged points, and using the bogus Peak point pricing to justify the action.

Here is a simple analogy
If you have bought a merchandise for future delivery, paid the price sight unseen. You went ahead to pay it even a lesser merchandise would cost less, but in good faith you expected to receive a better product because you paid more. Now the merchant informs you, "Oh, the merchandise has arrived, you can pick it up in a month's time. Though here is a small thing - the merchandise is not what you ordered, just slightly different (cheaper), but it would function the same nonetheless. We would not provide a refund for the price difference, because the merchandise has the same function anyway. (we will pocket the extra payment, sucker.)"

Ask anybody who is put in the above situation, Would he accept the above explanation AND the lower quality merchandise that he initially did not want, and opted to pay a higher price for a better merchandise?

If the above is not a fraud I dont know how to describe the scenario.

That is exactly what has happened here, even though it is committed by a big corporation, not a store you paid for your merchandise and only be told lesser value merchandise would be delivered, but you would not get the refund of the price difference - the essence is the same.
If you actually believe any of this, then you really should focus on Hilton or Hyatt. Seriously: it is 100% what I would do if I genuinely felt that Marriott was evil to the core. I'd switch to Hilton and not think twice about it.

And they have instant Diamond status for a credit card they pay you to carry. They have a global footprint that is reasonably comparable to Marriott. The give Diamonds the same nonupgrades that Marriott gives Platinums. It won't even be painful for you.
pinniped is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 7:45 am
  #6304  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by imverge
Yes, I was able to book : Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai for 2 nights 66K points each. Which is a great deal considering it includes all meals and 2 activities per day. Cash rates are just over $1K per night.
Did you have to call to book this or did you manage it online?
FlyingMoonwards is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 8:14 am
  #6305  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 297
Originally Posted by imverge
Yes, I was able to book : Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai for 2 nights 66K points each. Which is a great deal considering it includes all meals and 2 activities per day. Cash rates are just over $1K per night.
Looks really nice to include all meals! Can you please share what other hotels are you staying at in DuBai? I need some ideas cuz we have never been there! Thanks
musicscrip is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 8:16 am
  #6306  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by wonderman
Raffles from HfP appears to have, St Regis NYC:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/0...europe-routes/
I was able to redeem for SR Princeville in Kauai @ 60k per night (did it online) - though not sure if it counts as it isn't an all-suite resort
ukinny2000 is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 8:59 am
  #6307  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by ukinny2000
I was able to redeem for SR Princeville in Kauai @ 60k per night (did it online) - though not sure if it counts as it isn't an all-suite resort
To add another data point, I also managed this 2 days ago on an SPG (not all-suite) property.
FlyingMoonwards is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 9:03 am
  #6308  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
What a nightmare, cancelled a cert reservation 2 days ago and they cant figure out how to reissue the certs bc they are still tied to the cancelled reservation.
Was on the phone for 2.5 hours was put through to a specialist and they ended up transferring me back to the regular awards number.
That rep told me to call back in 48 hours but even if they can reissue I cant use the certs until 9/18.

... marriott
stallion114 is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 9:14 am
  #6309  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
Originally Posted by stallion114
What a nightmare, cancelled a cert reservation 2 days ago and they cant figure out how to reissue the certs bc they are still tied to the cancelled reservation.
Was on the phone for 2.5 hours was put through to a specialist and they ended up transferring me back to the regular awards number.
That rep told me to call back in 48 hours but even if they can reissue I cant use the certs until 9/18.

... marriott
It won't help those who already have problems, but I had better results before August 18 detaching the reservation before cancelling than when making changes to a reservation with a certificate attached. That strategy may not work anymore because of the changed status of legacy certificates.
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Old Aug 24, 2018, 9:41 am
  #6310  
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,731
Originally Posted by pinniped
If you actually believe any of this, then you really should focus on Hilton or Hyatt. Seriously: it is 100% what I would do if I genuinely felt that Marriott was evil to the core. I'd switch to Hilton and not think twice about it.

And they have instant Diamond status for a credit card they pay you to carry. They have a global footprint that is reasonably comparable to Marriott. The give Diamonds the same nonupgrades that Marriott gives Platinums. It won't even be painful for you.
Fully intend to once the current PP runs out and my large size SPG pts are used up.

Since you mention HHonors - To be honest, HHonors social media team presence on FT has been very responsive on any issues we have in the past. They replied to PMs, they asked the hotels to verify things, they at least show a front that they CARE their customers.
Earlier this year Hilton FCO suddenly showed our point redemption no longer has the point value paid after the hotel deleted the existing reward table for the month and jumped 15K on some day and no availability on other days. Contacted HHonor representative on FT, got immediate response and subsequent follow up to assure Hotel has the reservation, not to worry. They will keep an eye on and notate the account.
Hotel also has replied with an email to confirm everything is fine. The display change probably is due to HHonor IT when hotel raised redemption prices (revenue-based). We actually have fallen down to the Basic member with Hilton. Yet, the team is just as willing to help a regular member as they would with their Diamonds or Golds.
A friend's recent experiences in Alaska when a Hilton property walked them, have a very satisfactory resolutions from the Corporate and the property itself after a second discussion. Corporate issued goodwill pts. Hotel refunded the point cost + goodwill pts, and issued 2 Be My Guest vouchers as an apology. He, by the way, is also a Regular member with HHonor. I see many Plats have trouble getting their Plat compensation when they are walked or very poorly treated.

The willingness to help demonstrated by HHonor Team is appreciated and valued. Unfortunately, Marriott now no longer shows it actually cares.

This is the fundamental part. It is NO LONGER THE SAME despite it has tried to act this way the 2 years after it acquired a sizable competitor so the SPG folks would not deflect. Now everything is final, you are their captive customer, it no longer needs to put up a false front any more.

Besides, WHY such a big corporation chooses such PECULIAR WAY to communicate to its customers? Have you read anywhere official releases on Marriott's own website? SPG own website?

Had it not for the blogs and FT forums, we the customers would be in even worse shape.

We can accept a rough transition, but we should not accept lies after lies when none of what they said can be delivered. How a company handles crisis clearly shows the company current management's culture. So far, what I see is not a promising sign going forward. Of course YMMV.

You certainly can continue to put your blind faith on Marriott and hope they would recover from the current fiasco which should NEVER happen from the beginning considering they have 2+ years to ponder their approach, and they have 4+ months to actually implement what they want to do. Yet, every area you look, is issues after issues.

For us. and may be many others, our hotel stays are 100% leisure out from our own pocket. We dont have a corporate expense account to foot our bills. How we are being treated by the company we give our hard earned money to, does matter.

May be it is time for you to try other chains and have a real life comparison instead of just keeping a blind faith.may be it is time for you to try other chains and have a real life comparison instead of just keeping a blind faith.
EDIflyer likes this.

Last edited by Happy; Aug 24, 2018 at 2:20 pm Reason: correct typos and grammar
Happy is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 10:17 am
  #6311  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,386
Originally Posted by Julie17




Thanks for compiling the table. I think it's missing New Cat 1-4 QP84 skimthetrees received with a 105k value. I'm struggling with the logic on that one. What a puzzle this is!

Skimthetrees, just to confirm, is the net change in your points balance so far zero, computed as follows?
Upgrade OC8 to NC6= 30k cost
Downgrade NC6 165k to NC4 105k = 60k refund
Upgrade NC4 105k to NC5 135k = 30k cost
Yes, that is correct. Zero points difference at the end of the day for all those transactions.

Somewhat interestingly, in the first step when they cancelled my OC8 partial I had a 135k points balance (correct since I had 0 before), then after the supervisor ordered me the NC6 for 165k my account showed a -30k balance (I owed Marriott 30k points). I do not know if this is common but it was a bit of a surprise to me to see a negative points balance.
skimthetrees is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 10:55 am
  #6312  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by nick793
I fully intend to upgrade my cert to a cat 7 or even cat 8. I think Marriott is not allowing upgrades because this system is convoluted and confusing. There also don't seem to be "guard rails" so to speak based on what we're slowly learning - you could get exactly what you want on the first try or get royally screwed.

I'm trying to figure out the partial package table to be able to call in and "exchange" my 225k (nonsense) Tier 1-3 partial cert for a 225k Cat 7 cert (which I'm guessing is either going to be QP107 or QP07 depending on if the codes go to 3 digits or not).

If we can give the rep a booking code then the odds if this working go way up
Any chance that you have succeeded doing so?
rickyking88 is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 11:03 am
  #6313  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond
Posts: 70
I just called in and waited 40 minutes on the phone just to be told that they are not allowed to cancel/change any TP until 9/18.

Really bad, my points are now locked on a cat 6 I plan to use for thankgiving trip. Why did they trick us into buying and locking us down like Paypal holding funds.
justned is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 11:25 am
  #6314  
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 49
This is a DP regarding just how little control SPG/Marriott reps have regarding access to customers' points. I had to cancel a SPG Moments event and they told me it was fine and they could credit my account. The next day I received this email.
_____________
We have just found that we have still not gained access to refund the Points for these packages as of yet. We are hoping to gain access in a couple of days. I have added your account numbers to our list of members needed refunds/or manual purchases and as soon as I am able to add the points back I will. I will follow up with you once it has been completed.

I apologize for the delay. With such a large merger we are working to sort through and correct any issues as soon as soon as possible. I appreciate your patience.

[name redacted]
SPG Moments - Liaison

Last edited by bdschobel; Aug 25, 2018 at 9:54 am Reason: removed employee's name
LDoc is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2018, 11:26 am
  #6315  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Originally Posted by FlyingMoonwards
Did you have to call to book this or did you manage it online?
Had to do it over the phone.
imverge is offline  

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