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
#2971
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,430
That's a fair challenge. Still, it's the only solution I can think of that's (i) consistent with the limited information provided by Marriott (and the approach to Credit Card certificates), and (ii) semi-logical. I can imagine Marriott taking a hit on outstanding (time limited) certificates on a one-off basis to smooth the transition.
#2972
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold - cheapass economy flyer!
Posts: 241
The one thing I've been wondering is about paying 30K to upgrade our packages from cat 5 (25k/nt) to cat 6 (30k/nt). It seems like Marriott is too kind (and too smart) to convert a 30k/nt package into a 25k/nt package, so I suspect it would convert into a 35k/nt package (cat 5 under the new scheme). I suspect if we wait until Aug 1, we'll have to pay 60K to upgrade from what will be cat 4 to cat 5; whereas right now we could just pay 30K. I think the harder call is whether to pay 90k to move to a cat 8 (40K/nt under current scheme), hoping it maps onto cat 6 in the new chart. It seems like it would probably work, since converting it to new cat 5 would be taking 5k/nt away from us; but it feels less certain, since the new cat 5 level (35K) would be closer to 40K than the new cat 6 (50k). But of course if it worked, you would get a 90k value for 30k, and it seems likely there will be some sweet cat 6's on the new chart.
#2973
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,430
The one thing I've been wondering is about paying 30K to upgrade our packages from cat 5 (25k/nt) to cat 6 (30k/nt). It seems like Marriott is too kind (and too smart) to convert a 30k/nt package into a 25k/nt package, so I suspect it would convert into a 35k/nt package (cat 5 under the new scheme). I suspect if we wait until Aug 1, we'll have to pay 60K to upgrade from what will be cat 4 to cat 5; whereas right now we could just pay 30K. I think the harder call is whether to pay 90k to move to a cat 8 (40K/nt under current scheme), hoping it maps onto cat 6 in the new chart. It seems like it would probably work, since converting it to new cat 5 would be taking 5k/nt away from us; but it feels less certain, since the new cat 5 level (35K) would be closer to 40K than the new cat 6 (50k). But of course if it worked, you would get a 90k value for 30k, and it seems likely there will be some sweet cat 6's on the new chart.
#2974
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 295
The one thing I've been wondering is about paying 30K to upgrade our packages from cat 5 (25k/nt) to cat 6 (30k/nt). It seems like Marriott is too kind (and too smart) to convert a 30k/nt package into a 25k/nt package, so I suspect it would convert into a 35k/nt package (cat 5 under the new scheme). I suspect if we wait until Aug 1, we'll have to pay 60K to upgrade from what will be cat 4 to cat 5; whereas right now we could just pay 30K. I think the harder call is whether to pay 90k to move to a cat 8 (40K/nt under current scheme), hoping it maps onto cat 6 in the new chart. It seems like it would probably work, since converting it to new cat 5 would be taking 5k/nt away from us; but it feels less certain, since the new cat 5 level (35K) would be closer to 40K than the new cat 6 (50k). But of course if it worked, you would get a 90k value for 30k, and it seems likely there will be some sweet cat 6's on the new chart.
#2975
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 114
Atlantis Bahamas: Does not accept travel packages??
Thanks. Good to know. I tried in the evening. Will try during the day; hopefully I will get a better result. What phone number did you call?
#2976
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH Gold, WOH Globalist
Posts: 89
#2977
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: 52,496
The old Cat 5 basically becomes a new Cat 4, and you can upgrade it from there by calling in.
#2978
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AS MVPG, SPG PLAT 100
Posts: 1,497
It's possible to attach a 7 night cert to a 5 night stay, right? I asked for this and Marriott rep acted like I was crazy. Wasnt asking for a 5 night package, was happy to pay the 7 nights rate to get the UA miles but only needed 5 nights.
#2979
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
yes, you can attached to any <=7 nights reservation for the correct cat
#2980
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: LGB
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 239
So I was going through the math, and I'm pretty certain there will be a significant devaluation of the travel packages (shocking, I know). The following math is with assuming that Marriott holds true to their word, and most current Cat 5s become Cat 4s or lower under the new program.
If we take a test case of a 100k airline mile transfer (excluding United), this will cost a minimum of 240k MR points under the new program (4x60k MR becoming 4x20k miles, plus 4x5k bonuses). Currently, the Cat 1-5 + 100k Mile package costs 250k MR. Paying 10k for a 7-night stay on top of the transfer just seems too good of a deal.
Yes, I am aware that the current travel packages are actually a discount over the direct MR-> mile transfers, in which the above case would cost a minimum of 280k MR. However, these mile transfers will become a bigger deal to the new program, considering how central it is to many SPG members.
Futhermore, consider that the current SPG Nights + Flights costs 60k Starpoints (180k MR) for a Cat 3 (roughly similar to a Marriott Cat 5), and that only nets you 50k airline miles and 5 nights. You could add the remaining 50k airline miles for a grand total of 100k Starpoints (300k MR).
If I had to guess, I would say that the Cat 1-5 (well Cat 1-4 under the new program) + 100k TP will go up by 50k (20%).
If we take a test case of a 100k airline mile transfer (excluding United), this will cost a minimum of 240k MR points under the new program (4x60k MR becoming 4x20k miles, plus 4x5k bonuses). Currently, the Cat 1-5 + 100k Mile package costs 250k MR. Paying 10k for a 7-night stay on top of the transfer just seems too good of a deal.
Yes, I am aware that the current travel packages are actually a discount over the direct MR-> mile transfers, in which the above case would cost a minimum of 280k MR. However, these mile transfers will become a bigger deal to the new program, considering how central it is to many SPG members.
Futhermore, consider that the current SPG Nights + Flights costs 60k Starpoints (180k MR) for a Cat 3 (roughly similar to a Marriott Cat 5), and that only nets you 50k airline miles and 5 nights. You could add the remaining 50k airline miles for a grand total of 100k Starpoints (300k MR).
If I had to guess, I would say that the Cat 1-5 (well Cat 1-4 under the new program) + 100k TP will go up by 50k (20%).
#2981
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 295
Then how will they handle the non-perfect matching cat? For example, cat-6 TP? Mapping to new cat-5, mapping to new cat-4 and refund the difference?
#2982
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,587
SPECULATION:
I did a little math and came up with what I think the Travel Packages will cost in the new program. I calculated this following what seems like the formula for the current program.
For Travel Package #1 :
Category.....50,000.......70,000....100,000....120 ,000
..........1-4.....200000.....220000.....250000.....270000
.............5.....260000.....280000.....310000.....330000
.............6.....350000.....370000.....400000.....420000
.............7.....410000.....430000.....460000.....480000
.............8.....560000.....580000.....610000.....630000
These are using the Standard Rates from the table on the website. I'll speculate on a few questions everybody will surely have.
1) What about Peak Rates? I believe they will require supplements such as upgrade certificates (e.g., one cert for each 5K point increment).
2) What about Off-Peak Rates? I believe the member will have to eat the value from the TP certificate. I believe this is basically what happens in the current program.
3) What about the significant disparities among properties in any particular category? Again, I'll bet this will be managed through those hotels requiring upgrade certificates. I'm guessing we will see this mostly for those high-end Cat 7 properties and "ultra-premium" properties that will eventually be in Cat 8.
I did a little math and came up with what I think the Travel Packages will cost in the new program. I calculated this following what seems like the formula for the current program.
For Travel Package #1 :
Category.....50,000.......70,000....100,000....120 ,000
..........1-4.....200000.....220000.....250000.....270000
.............5.....260000.....280000.....310000.....330000
.............6.....350000.....370000.....400000.....420000
.............7.....410000.....430000.....460000.....480000
.............8.....560000.....580000.....610000.....630000
These are using the Standard Rates from the table on the website. I'll speculate on a few questions everybody will surely have.
1) What about Peak Rates? I believe they will require supplements such as upgrade certificates (e.g., one cert for each 5K point increment).
2) What about Off-Peak Rates? I believe the member will have to eat the value from the TP certificate. I believe this is basically what happens in the current program.
3) What about the significant disparities among properties in any particular category? Again, I'll bet this will be managed through those hotels requiring upgrade certificates. I'm guessing we will see this mostly for those high-end Cat 7 properties and "ultra-premium" properties that will eventually be in Cat 8.
Last edited by WillTravel4Food; Apr 18, 2018 at 11:49 am Reason: Formatting
#2983
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: 52,496
Or they could map them up a half-step for free, which could be really solid of them. But I'm not expecting that.
#2984
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 977
I have now seen confirmation in at least two blogs (that were interviewing marriott execs) that the existing certs will track across at their point value on the current chart, so a cat 1-5 cert that allows you up to category 5 (25,000 points/night) now will only allow you up to category 4 (25,000 points per night) after August 1, so a fairly large devaluation.
If I had been thinking logically about it when I first commented, this is pretty much the only way they could do it. Otherwise, you could pick up a cat 7 package now for 330,000 points and stay in any SPG, RC, or Marriott after Aug 1 because they will all have to be in cat 7 or lower. That would allow you to stay in a top RC that would currently cost 420,000 points or a top StR that would currently cost 630,000 equivalent points for a week, so you would get to stay in these places for less than the point cost (nearly half as much in a few cases) and get 120,000 airline miles as a bonus. There was no way they were going to let that happen.
A tier 4-5 package, at 540,000, will get you into any hotel after August 1 (but before Dec 31), which is a good deal compared to the price now for the top SPG properties (save 90,000 points plus get the miles), but after August 1, those will only cost 360,000 for a week instead of 630,000, so even that is not a good deal.
They seem to have sewn up the travel packages pretty tight. I don't see a way to game them at this point.
If I had been thinking logically about it when I first commented, this is pretty much the only way they could do it. Otherwise, you could pick up a cat 7 package now for 330,000 points and stay in any SPG, RC, or Marriott after Aug 1 because they will all have to be in cat 7 or lower. That would allow you to stay in a top RC that would currently cost 420,000 points or a top StR that would currently cost 630,000 equivalent points for a week, so you would get to stay in these places for less than the point cost (nearly half as much in a few cases) and get 120,000 airline miles as a bonus. There was no way they were going to let that happen.
A tier 4-5 package, at 540,000, will get you into any hotel after August 1 (but before Dec 31), which is a good deal compared to the price now for the top SPG properties (save 90,000 points plus get the miles), but after August 1, those will only cost 360,000 for a week instead of 630,000, so even that is not a good deal.
They seem to have sewn up the travel packages pretty tight. I don't see a way to game them at this point.
#2985
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 305
I appreciate that my views are conjecture (albeit based on common sense and what Marriott has publically said about CC certificates), but a few responses...
Exactly. Swapping un-redeemed TP certificates on 1 August for points certificates (presumably redeemable only against a single stay) is simple, easy to explain, is consistent with the approach to CC certificates, doesn't require them to "map" new tiers on to old tiers, doesn't cost them too much, doesn't irritate customers, and may even create good will. It's the only sensible solution imho.
Interesting argument -- but given that you'd still be able to redeem for 7 nights at a Tier 5 property (with presumably better availability than now), which is what you originally purchased, I think it would be tough to argue that you're due any kind of refund. If this scenario comes to pass, I would just consider myself fortunate that I might be able to redeem for an additional night.
Completely agree that that's the usual 'catch' with TP certificates -- and that that's the basis on which new certificates will almost certainly be sold after 1 August (at whatever new pricing they come up with, which will almost certainly be less attractive than current pricing). But we're talking about a one-time solution to bridge the gap from old MR to new MR -- I see them taking the path of least resistance.
I also don't really see this as a 'loophole' or a significant 'windfall' if this comes to pass. Marriott are effectively swapping something that's worth 150,000 points to them, for something that's worth 150,000 points to them, on a one-off one-time basis (for vouchers that by definition will expire by 31 Aug 2019 at the latest).
Per the above, this is one of the many reasons why I think Marriott will convert all legacy TP certificates to points vouchers. Anything else just gets too messy. Let's not get too wrapped up in the fact that a Cat 5 voucher would map neatly onto Cat 4 -- pretty much none of the other tiers do.
In your scenario, do you think there's any concession for people with the 7 night R-C tier 5 cert which would translate into 420k pts, but within a system where the highest category is 60k per night and fifth night is free? Technically the highest cost of a seven night redemption will be 360k points. I suppose you could book for eight nights but people have enough trouble using all seven nights on a cert as it is so I'd rather get the difference back if that's how things go down.
I also don't really see this as a 'loophole' or a significant 'windfall' if this comes to pass. Marriott are effectively swapping something that's worth 150,000 points to them, for something that's worth 150,000 points to them, on a one-off one-time basis (for vouchers that by definition will expire by 31 Aug 2019 at the latest).
They'll have to do a one-time fix on today's cat 6, 8, and 9. The logical thing is that they'd convert them down a half-step and refund some points, knowing that members can always call back in to upgrade their certs.
Or they could map them up a half-step for free, which could be really solid of them. But I'm not expecting that.
Or they could map them up a half-step for free, which could be really solid of them. But I'm not expecting that.