Post 155, a few above your post, mentioned downgrading his cert. I know that I have read a few other similar stories. Of course there is no guarantee in writing on it, but I have found MR customer service quite lenient...

I downgraded from a cat7 to a cat6 (hotel booked as part of a travel package) last week, and got the difference in points refunded back to my account. It was no problem at all.

Anyone know of any promotions currently or to come on converting MR points into travel packages ?
Thanks

Note that based on a number of past posts here in FT, there have been more "problems" downgrading the certs from a TP award versus upgrading them. So realize that downgrading will be a very big YMMV.

Is there anything in the Terms and Conditions of the 7 night certificate that says it is NON-transferrable?

I know i can ask for a 1 year extension, but I rarely stay 7 nights at one property, and it would make a nice gift.

I have a 7 night cat 5 that I may give to my brother (same last name), and want to stay within the rules.

(the airline miles went to my account 10 months ago)


thanks in advance.

It is transferable.

Just a quick update. I can confirm that you can indeed downgrade or upgrade the category level of your certificate. I successfully downgraded my category 9 certificate today to a category 7.

Has ne1 used a TP for a stay at a RC? I am wondering what the equivalent category/tier relationship is.

Also, how does one go about getting credit for using a higher level TP for a lower level facility....is it done at the time of the resisted with the agent?

Thanks

I haven't but you certainly can. RC tiers are listed in one of the TP charts.

Thought to ask the expert here for an advise.

My situation is that my vacation normally only stay at a hotel for 3 to 4 nights. But I do have a rare 5 nights vacation coming up that I had booked already (CAT 5). I had been thinking if I should just go ahead use the Travel Packages and just lose the 2 nights as this might be as close as I can get ever.

My analysis show the following:

270K for 132K UA or 120K AA/Avios

Minus the worth for my 5-nights CAT-5 reward is 100K, I am really redeeming 170K for 132K UA or 120K AA/Avios. That yield 0.776 to 1 ratio for UA or 0.706 to 1 ratio for AA/Avios. Which is still better than the normal < 0.5 to 1 ratio.

Am I on the right track? Or am I out of lunch.

Thanks in advance.

You are focusing in the right area. Basically, how much are those FF miles worth to you versus the cost of your hotel points? Once you have that, then you can calculate what you think the worth of those FF miles are compared against the lose of the Marriott points from not using those 2 days.

Myself, I look at the value of those items, namely the 170K worth of points. I generally cash in above $.01 per point, so that puts the 170K of points worth >$1700 to me in Marriott stays. What value would you get out of those 132/120K worth of airline points?

I agree in your value of $1700.00. My target is always to get the 120k airline miles. We are in One World-so on AA. (Was using *Alliance via US.) For me, that's a J ticket international to SE Asia where we travel about every 2 years. Up to $10k in value. Now, I would never purchase that myself. But, provides great comfort. Some would argue the $10k since I wouldn't actually put out that money. But, $5k would be a good compromise??? In any event, that's what we use all of our points for-travel packages and international J travel.

Thanks for all the respond to my inquiry. I will think thru it more before making a final decision.

I do have one additional question about the miles transfer portion, do Marriott check the recipient's account to ensure it match my info? I would like to transfer to my friend's account so we can book the reward flights in one PNR.

Thanks again.

Yes, the names have to match with the FF miles account. But if you want your friend to get the points, you should be able to "combine" your account and theirs for the award (i.e. pull your points into their account for the award).