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
Dec 22, 2006, 11:50 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA MARRIOTT Lifetime Plat Premier ; Marriott Vacation Club
Posts: 1,650
Actually Marriott does offer hotel sampler awards which allow you to split your stay between different properties. You may split your 7 nights among any 3 properties in Hawaii, or in Ireland/UK for 130K or 150K MRPs respectively.
Of course this offer is limited in scope, but still useful for someone inclined to do a visit to either of these destinations on a modified Travel package which would not include the FF miles ( but also requires less points).
Barry
Of course this offer is limited in scope, but still useful for someone inclined to do a visit to either of these destinations on a modified Travel package which would not include the FF miles ( but also requires less points).
Barry
Dec 22, 2006, 12:24 pm
#107
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
The OP's questions and all of the answers have been generally correct in the way we seem to use the term "Travel Package" here on FT. However, Barry's post highlights our misuse of the "Travel Package" terminology here on FT.
Yes, if the Travel Package is a Hotel Sampler.
There are Hotel Sampler Travel Packages and Hotel + Air Travel Packagaes, and as your noticed there is no Hotel Sampler + Air Travel Package. These Travel Package types are mutually exclusive and as such there is no way to do a Hotel Sampler Travel Package and get FF miles, nor is there a way to do a Hotel + Air Travel Package and split the hotel portion between different hotels.
Link to Travel Packages info at Marriott.com
Link to Travel Packages info at Marriott.com
Dec 22, 2006, 12:24 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
IMO, the only reason to purchase a travel package is to get the equivilent of one FF mile per MRP (in most cases) which is an exceedingly good earn/burn ratio. For the OP, they'd be better off using the excellent earn from being EXP on AA for their air, and do the hotel using whatever earn/burn ratio they prefer for a award/paid stay, depending on what the numbers crunch out to.
Guest Services recently (in the last week) changed, at my request, a travel package hotel cert due to expire next week from CAT1-5 to CAT6 without charge due to the assigned hotel changing category after the reservation was made. They first extended the 1-5 cert, then credited back 45K when cancelling the cert and re-debiting for 50K MRP's to "purchase" the CAT6 cert. They then adjusted the account with a customer service credit to reflect the 5K difference. Net zero change to the account. Interesting to watch
Pat
Guest Services recently (in the last week) changed, at my request, a travel package hotel cert due to expire next week from CAT1-5 to CAT6 without charge due to the assigned hotel changing category after the reservation was made. They first extended the 1-5 cert, then credited back 45K when cancelling the cert and re-debiting for 50K MRP's to "purchase" the CAT6 cert. They then adjusted the account with a customer service credit to reflect the 5K difference. Net zero change to the account. Interesting to watch
Pat
Jan 7, 2007, 11:07 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 193
Travel package recommendations where to stay?
Finally, I have earned enough points to redeem my first award. MANY THANKS to the members on this board for your help to achieve the points for a travel package - as a travel package is valued the very best deal.
I'm planning to redeem the award as a 7-night stay (category 1-5, category 6 or category 7) on a beach location. I'm open to any country/location. I have considered to go to one of the following locations
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa
In the last years, I have stayed in many Marriott/Renaissance/Courtyard hotels in CITIES. I'have no experience with beach locations. I'd like to ask you for other beach locations that I should consider. I'm looking for a very special place where I can expect a nice hotel (e.g. rooms in a good condition), good service and a well-equipped wellness center.
Thanks,
Tim
I'm planning to redeem the award as a 7-night stay (category 1-5, category 6 or category 7) on a beach location. I'm open to any country/location. I have considered to go to one of the following locations
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa
In the last years, I have stayed in many Marriott/Renaissance/Courtyard hotels in CITIES. I'have no experience with beach locations. I'd like to ask you for other beach locations that I should consider. I'm looking for a very special place where I can expect a nice hotel (e.g. rooms in a good condition), good service and a well-equipped wellness center.
Thanks,
Tim
Jan 8, 2007, 10:52 am
#110
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
You may find that a topic like yours will be very subjective to most. My 1st and best suggestion to you is to do a search of this forum. There are a lot of existing threads that will provide you with a wealth of info about most of the Marriott beach properties all over the world. My suggestion is do a search using the words "resort" and "beach". You should find enough info to keep you busy for a while.
With that, my favorite beach Marriott in North America is the Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Just about everthing there is great. On the Hawaiian islands, it depends on the beach, pool, and other activities. Personally, I like the Kauai Beach Resort with its pool and the laid back atmosphere of Kauai. But a lot of folks may point you to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa and you probably won't go wrong there. There is an active thread right now with posts concerning some of the Hawaiian resorts.
There are a number of existing threads that compare/contrast the various Carribean Marriotts. So if you want to head to that part of the world, look for those threads.
I have not yet had the pleasure to try out a lot of the non-US based Marriott Beach resorts so I can't comment directly on them.
With that, my favorite beach Marriott in North America is the Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Just about everthing there is great. On the Hawaiian islands, it depends on the beach, pool, and other activities. Personally, I like the Kauai Beach Resort with its pool and the laid back atmosphere of Kauai. But a lot of folks may point you to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa and you probably won't go wrong there.
There is an active thread right now with posts concerning some of the Hawaiian resorts.There are a number of existing threads that compare/contrast the various Carribean Marriotts. So if you want to head to that part of the world, look for those threads.
I have not yet had the pleasure to try out a lot of the non-US based Marriott Beach resorts so I can't comment directly on them.
Jan 8, 2007, 11:27 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Freeload Univ. Where are you sitting?
Posts: 14,818
Just remember that even though you have the certs, that doesn't mean there's availability. In fact, a running complaint is the inability to find 7 consecutive nights any time during the year at some of the more desirable locations.
One way around this, if the nights are "broken" by one or two nights of award unavailability, is to pay for those nights and "bookend" them with the award nights. This can open up a lot more possibilities, if you're willing to pay a little.
Also, availability changes with time. Nail down now what you can find (even if it's split up as described above) and keep checking. You can always cancel with no penalty, as long as you don't wait too long.
One way around this, if the nights are "broken" by one or two nights of award unavailability, is to pay for those nights and "bookend" them with the award nights. This can open up a lot more possibilities, if you're willing to pay a little.
Also, availability changes with time. Nail down now what you can find (even if it's split up as described above) and keep checking. You can always cancel with no penalty, as long as you don't wait too long.
Jan 8, 2007, 12:37 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IND
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SWA CP
Posts: 577
Marco Island
I just returned from a 6-night stay at the newly renovated Marco Island Marriott Resort. The new main pool is fantastic and the beach is great (but a little "shelly"). My wife enjoyed the spa and the kids loved the second pool - the "tiki pool" (more geared to kids activities).
The resort is about an hour drive from the Southwest Florida Airport (RSW) which was very nice and easy to get in and out of.
The resort is about an hour drive from the Southwest Florida Airport (RSW) which was very nice and easy to get in and out of.
Jan 8, 2007, 5:27 pm
#113
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chihuahua
Programs: SPG Plat, HHonor Diamond, Hyatt PLAT, Marriott PLat, UA 1K, AA EXP, DL PLAT, BMI Gold, Co PLAT
Posts: 1,962
I think Sanya should be a good, only 2-3 years old.
Finally, I have earned enough points to redeem my first award. MANY THANKS to the members on this board for your help to achieve the points for a travel package - as a travel package is valued the very best deal.
I'm planning to redeem the award as a 7-night stay (category 1-5, category 6 or category 7) on a beach location. I'm open to any country/location. I have considered to go to one of the following locations
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa
In the last years, I have stayed in many Marriott/Renaissance/Courtyard hotels in CITIES. I'have no experience with beach locations. I'd like to ask you for other beach locations that I should consider. I'm looking for a very special place where I can expect a nice hotel (e.g. rooms in a good condition), good service and a well-equipped wellness center.
Thanks,
Tim
I'm planning to redeem the award as a 7-night stay (category 1-5, category 6 or category 7) on a beach location. I'm open to any country/location. I have considered to go to one of the following locations
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa
In the last years, I have stayed in many Marriott/Renaissance/Courtyard hotels in CITIES. I'have no experience with beach locations. I'd like to ask you for other beach locations that I should consider. I'm looking for a very special place where I can expect a nice hotel (e.g. rooms in a good condition), good service and a well-equipped wellness center.
Thanks,
Tim
Jan 8, 2007, 8:59 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: RTW
Programs: MR Ag, LH FTL
Posts: 947
If you go to Sanya, consider paying rather than using points, as the rates seem quite reasonable. In addition, it is category 4 property, so that would be a waste to use a cat 5 certificate.
Travel packages are the best deal if they let you go where you really wanted to; as someone told earlier, even if Marriott offered a sex change operation for 100 000 points, I doubt anybody will do that, although that would be a steal at 50 cents per point (or whatever). So don't be blinded by the best cost per point; think about if and where you really would like to go.
Travel packages are the best deal if they let you go where you really wanted to; as someone told earlier, even if Marriott offered a sex change operation for 100 000 points, I doubt anybody will do that, although that would be a steal at 50 cents per point (or whatever). So don't be blinded by the best cost per point; think about if and where you really would like to go.
Last edited by slowly; Jan 8, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Jan 8, 2007, 9:41 pm
#115
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 568
You didn't say how many points you have but if you have 540,000 pts I'd suggest you get two 7 nite Cat7 hotel certificates and 240,000 FF miles.
With that two people could fly business class to London for a week, continue on to Paris for a week, then home...leaving some FF miles still in your account for future use.
IMO the real value of the packages comes from not flying economy. While business class can be prices up to 500% more than economy it's usually only 50% more FF miles.
Bookings are best done about 330 days before you would like to go as you have to marry flights with hotel availability ... and doing it early widens your chances. Some hotels never seem to be available for 7 night point stays - like Marriott Grand Flora in Rome (although I did get it for a week in May 2005). Hawaii is also very tough to get. Also, you do not have to use the hotel and air certificates at the same time or on the same trip.
Have fun. It takes a lot of planning ahead for the greatest benefits.
Brian
With that two people could fly business class to London for a week, continue on to Paris for a week, then home...leaving some FF miles still in your account for future use.
IMO the real value of the packages comes from not flying economy. While business class can be prices up to 500% more than economy it's usually only 50% more FF miles.
Bookings are best done about 330 days before you would like to go as you have to marry flights with hotel availability ... and doing it early widens your chances. Some hotels never seem to be available for 7 night point stays - like Marriott Grand Flora in Rome (although I did get it for a week in May 2005). Hawaii is also very tough to get. Also, you do not have to use the hotel and air certificates at the same time or on the same trip.
Have fun. It takes a lot of planning ahead for the greatest benefits.
Brian
Jan 10, 2007, 5:35 pm
#116
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Bonvoy, World of Hyatt
Posts: 145
Travel package vs. regular hotel reward
Hi everyone,
I'm a long-time reader of these forums -- and quite envious of the frequent flyer mile totals and status of many of you -- but this is the first time I've felt the need to ask a question.
I've redeemed 115,000 MP for seven nights at the JW Marriott Phuket. My question is, should I go the travel package route instead? That would cost 165,000 MP, giving me the seven-night stay plus 50,000 airline miles.
I don't need the miles for my flight from SEA to BKK. But what's worth more, 50,000 MP or 50,000 frequent flyer miles?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
I'm a long-time reader of these forums -- and quite envious of the frequent flyer mile totals and status of many of you -- but this is the first time I've felt the need to ask a question.
I've redeemed 115,000 MP for seven nights at the JW Marriott Phuket. My question is, should I go the travel package route instead? That would cost 165,000 MP, giving me the seven-night stay plus 50,000 airline miles.
I don't need the miles for my flight from SEA to BKK. But what's worth more, 50,000 MP or 50,000 frequent flyer miles?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Jan 10, 2007, 6:08 pm
#117
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: UA 2P, AA LT Gold, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,159
Most here are big fans of the travel packages.
It is not a simple question. I generally get about 1.6 cents of value per Marriott point. Sometimes I cash in airline miles for only a penny a point for domestic awards.
I still favor the package as a diversification move. I cash in a package and put miles into AA which I don't fly. I like the flexibility of having miles in Skyteam, Oneworld and Star Alliance. I only fly Star so transferring miles to Oneworld helps me diversify and guards against a Marriott devaluation.
Finally, if you use miles for overseas flights in C or F, you will get a lot more value per mile than you can get for a Marriott point - so the 1:1 ratio will add value.
Finally, you can transfer up to 120K points per package.
It is not a simple question. I generally get about 1.6 cents of value per Marriott point. Sometimes I cash in airline miles for only a penny a point for domestic awards.
I still favor the package as a diversification move. I cash in a package and put miles into AA which I don't fly. I like the flexibility of having miles in Skyteam, Oneworld and Star Alliance. I only fly Star so transferring miles to Oneworld helps me diversify and guards against a Marriott devaluation.
Finally, if you use miles for overseas flights in C or F, you will get a lot more value per mile than you can get for a Marriott point - so the 1:1 ratio will add value.
Finally, you can transfer up to 120K points per package.
Jan 10, 2007, 6:29 pm
#118
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
For me - I always get the travel packages - with as many miles as possilbe - 120K miles.
I value airline miles at more than marriott miles.
For example, I used 35K miles each (on United) to buy several award tickets to/from Hawaii over thanksgiving, and these would price out at over $900 each.
I also think using miles for upgrades is valueable. On United, I can upgrade an "H" or higher fare with 60,000 miles, round trip - confirmed into Business (if available) the day I book the ticket.
You can also score 90K RT Business class tickets to Asia, very valuable to me.
Billy
I value airline miles at more than marriott miles.
For example, I used 35K miles each (on United) to buy several award tickets to/from Hawaii over thanksgiving, and these would price out at over $900 each.
I also think using miles for upgrades is valueable. On United, I can upgrade an "H" or higher fare with 60,000 miles, round trip - confirmed into Business (if available) the day I book the ticket.
You can also score 90K RT Business class tickets to Asia, very valuable to me.
Billy
Jan 10, 2007, 6:47 pm
#119
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
But if you are in a situation where you either have a lot of unused FF miles and don't need any more to get that really nice flight, or if you only want to stay close to where you are and rather pay for your flight tickets, then you may not want to use your MR points for airline FF points. In those cases, you might see if there is a MVCI property close to where you want to go and use your points for a nice stay there (if they have availability.) Getting a 2-bedroom suite in an MVCI property for the same points as a nice Resort right next to the MVCI property can be a very nice use of points especially if you have a family traveling and need extra space. Especially since you will probably get access to all the resort amenities. ^
So the real answer to your question is it depends.
Jan 10, 2007, 7:34 pm
#120
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,468
For me - I always get the travel packages - with as many miles as possilbe - 120K miles.
I value airline miles at more than marriott miles.
For example, I used 35K miles each (on United) to buy several award tickets to/from Hawaii over thanksgiving, and these would price out at over $900 each.
I also think using miles for upgrades is valueable. On United, I can upgrade an "H" or higher fare with 60,000 miles, round trip - confirmed into Business (if available) the day I book the ticket.
You can also score 90K RT Business class tickets to Asia, very valuable to me.
Billy
I value airline miles at more than marriott miles.
For example, I used 35K miles each (on United) to buy several award tickets to/from Hawaii over thanksgiving, and these would price out at over $900 each.
I also think using miles for upgrades is valueable. On United, I can upgrade an "H" or higher fare with 60,000 miles, round trip - confirmed into Business (if available) the day I book the ticket.
You can also score 90K RT Business class tickets to Asia, very valuable to me.
Billy
Which airlines do you transfer to for the Asia bus tix?
