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
#3706
Community Director Emerita
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
You might well already know this, but AS miles can also be used for a trip to Fiji. I didn't look at your location; it's entirely possible that AA suits you better to connect with Fiji Air. I used AS miles for an upcoming trip and will fly on to Sydney. AS allows stopovers for no extra miles.
#3707
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
I've flip-flopped many times on what I think would happen with the floating certificates. Marriott knew of the value of these, if not before announcing the 1:3 SPG transfer ratio, then directly after when every blogger talked about the amazing deal. Marriott had many opportunities to tweak this since then, as they have added 4pm check outs, removed carry-over nights, etc. For them to carry on this long and not change anything, only to slam anyone with a floater just seems against what I have been seeing from them. Not that they couldn't, it just seems off. I have to think the result will be advantageous enough that they don't want a further run on the certificates beyond what is occurring. I am eager to find out though!
#3708
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
This is equivalent to the current SPG system that transfers 1:1 on AA with a 5K bonus for each 20K transferred.
The direct 60K MR -> 20K + 5K bonus is actually a better value than what is currently available in the Marriott Rewards Program. Currently MR requires 70K for a direct transfer to 25K AA Miles.
With that in mind, the 60K MR -> 25K AA miles won't be available until after the August Changeover.
James.
#3709
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA UA Delta. HH Diamond, PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 808
Do we need to know the reward code for the package before we call? What is the reward code for the UA package 270,000 points to 132k miles? Thanks!
#3710
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
Not to be a nitpick! OP was correct. You do get a 5K AA miles bonus for each 60K MR. 60K MR converts to 20K AA miles so the total with the bonus is 25K for each 60K MR. 100K AA Miles = 240K MR.
This is equivalent to the current SPG system that transfers 1:1 on AA with a 5K bonus for each 20K transferred.
The direct 60K MR -> 20K + 5K bonus is actually a better value than what is currently available in the Marriott Rewards Program. Currently MR requires 70K for a direct transfer to 25K AA Miles.
With that in mind, the 60K MR -> 25K AA miles won't be available until after the August Changeover.
James.
This is equivalent to the current SPG system that transfers 1:1 on AA with a 5K bonus for each 20K transferred.
The direct 60K MR -> 20K + 5K bonus is actually a better value than what is currently available in the Marriott Rewards Program. Currently MR requires 70K for a direct transfer to 25K AA Miles.
With that in mind, the 60K MR -> 25K AA miles won't be available until after the August Changeover.
James.
#3711
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I have 1 unattached cat1-5 hotel certificate (floater) and 270k MR points. I want to use my floater for a hotel that's currently cat6 and drops to cat4 in August, but I obviously can't book it until after the changes without using points I don't have to upgrade the cert, and that would be a waste knowing it will come down next month. I want to use my 270k MR points for VS miles. Since the post-merger rates require more MR points for a 100k miles TP and the post-merger points-to-miles rate would see 270k MR become 110k VS miles, I've decided I will redeem another TP pre-merger (120k VS and a second floater). I will use 1 floater for a current cat5 hotel that I would be fairly happy to go to if things don't work out with cancelling and moving it to the hotel I actually want, and I will roll the dice on what they give me for the unattached floater in August. If it's good I may detach the first floater, if it's 45k then I've not lost too much and I'll have to hope my attached cert can move to the other hotel which will be cat 4 in August, the same as the hotel I'll book this month as my second choice back-up option.
#3712
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
App improvement - now showing TP CERT
I just notice that the Marriott APP actually lists and displays the 7-day TP Hotel Cert. Is it a a recent APP upgrade or was it always there?
It is actually listed as “7 night travel package category 1-5 hotels” with the future ~1-year expiration date. So it is there black and white! How could Marriott just take it away and hand back 4500 points without any member consent? Just because they can so that they can get themselves an outrageous member community? Is that what they the big Marriott corporation wants for their publicity? I guess NOT If I were they!
It is actually listed as “7 night travel package category 1-5 hotels” with the future ~1-year expiration date. So it is there black and white! How could Marriott just take it away and hand back 4500 points without any member consent? Just because they can so that they can get themselves an outrageous member community? Is that what they the big Marriott corporation wants for their publicity? I guess NOT If I were they!
#3713
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 211
I just notice that the Marriott APP actually lists and displays the 7-day TP Hotel Cert. Is it a a recent APP upgrade or was it always there?
It is actually listed as “7 night travel package category 1-5 hotels” with the future ~1-year expiration date. So it is there black and white! How could Marriott just take it away and hand back 4500 points without any member consent? Just because they can so that they can get themselves an outrageous member community? Is that what they the big Marriott corporation wants for their publicity? I guess NOT If I were they!
It is actually listed as “7 night travel package category 1-5 hotels” with the future ~1-year expiration date. So it is there black and white! How could Marriott just take it away and hand back 4500 points without any member consent? Just because they can so that they can get themselves an outrageous member community? Is that what they the big Marriott corporation wants for their publicity? I guess NOT If I were they!
It's always there..
#3714
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Absolute easiest would just be to change the certs to up to original points allowed. Cat 5 up to 25k, cat 9 up to 45k. Done.
Perhaps too simple and wishful thinking...
Perhaps too simple and wishful thinking...
#3715
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
This is the most likely outcome. Marriott may allow a window for certificate holders to book the hotels at the current category levels, to upgrade/downgrade their certificates, and to waive the extra points for peak seasons.
#3716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I hate to tell you that but I have not ever seen a business class award availability on Fiji airline. On top of that, their seats are recliners not lie-flat.
I know I need some AA miles for a Fiji trip I am taking in 2020 that I want to use biz class rewards on, so I am wanting to get the points in place for that. I do not necessarily need a Cat 1 - 5 7 night stay, but just doing the math it makes sense for me to "risk" having the cert converted at some horrible rate, how bad can that rate really be?
Not even going to 270K package, but just looking at were the two calculation methods (airline points + bonus VS TP package) are closest, 250K TP package, yields 100,000 AA miles + the cert. A straight line conversion of 240K would yield 100,000 AA Miles and NO cert. So if I get 10K back for not booking the cert then it will be a zero sum game. If I get more, then bonus. If I get less, than wow Marriott would really be pissing people off.
So I think I am going that route, but with the 270K package, 20K more Marriott get 20K more American it is 1:1 convertion for that peice might as well take it. I have been using more Chase UR lately than individual point program chasing. (Pun intended.) I don't use the hotel choices a much, but I love the UR for the booking air.
I strongly suggest to those who have a specific usage for their miles in mind, instead of just doing the math on the theoretical value per the charts, do some real search on the targeted award seats even your travel is 2 years from now - get a feel on the trend of the availability, so you would not just blindly follow the charts and think as long as you have the miles you have the seats. Sadly it has not been this way for virtually all FFPs. Figure out what would be the most probably way to achieve your goal(s), then consider the FFP(s) that would let you achieve the goal. Though if the plan is in 2020, then you would need a lot of luck that whatever is true now would remain true 18 to 24 months from now.
On my beating the devaluation efforts history....
I was able to book and stay a 15 night stay in Conrad Maldives before the last Hilton devaluation. That was so worth the 36K per night vs the 95K per night. I also got the Hilton value before the devaluation before that for the 100K for a 7 night Hawaii stay. I have no current Marriott Plans to take advantage out of the last gasp before this devaluation. I do actually have more Hilton points at this time than Marriott anyway, so might as well make it work.
Not even going to 270K package, but just looking at were the two calculation methods (airline points + bonus VS TP package) are closest, 250K TP package, yields 100,000 AA miles + the cert. A straight line conversion of 240K would yield 100,000 AA Miles and NO cert. So if I get 10K back for not booking the cert then it will be a zero sum game. If I get more, then bonus. If I get less, than wow Marriott would really be pissing people off.
So I think I am going that route, but with the 270K package, 20K more Marriott get 20K more American it is 1:1 convertion for that peice might as well take it. I have been using more Chase UR lately than individual point program chasing. (Pun intended.) I don't use the hotel choices a much, but I love the UR for the booking air.
I strongly suggest to those who have a specific usage for their miles in mind, instead of just doing the math on the theoretical value per the charts, do some real search on the targeted award seats even your travel is 2 years from now - get a feel on the trend of the availability, so you would not just blindly follow the charts and think as long as you have the miles you have the seats. Sadly it has not been this way for virtually all FFPs. Figure out what would be the most probably way to achieve your goal(s), then consider the FFP(s) that would let you achieve the goal. Though if the plan is in 2020, then you would need a lot of luck that whatever is true now would remain true 18 to 24 months from now.
On my beating the devaluation efforts history....
I was able to book and stay a 15 night stay in Conrad Maldives before the last Hilton devaluation. That was so worth the 36K per night vs the 95K per night. I also got the Hilton value before the devaluation before that for the 100K for a 7 night Hawaii stay. I have no current Marriott Plans to take advantage out of the last gasp before this devaluation. I do actually have more Hilton points at this time than Marriott anyway, so might as well make it work.
#3717
Community Director Emerita
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
On top of that, their seats are recliners not lie-flat.
#3718
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I have it booked for 2 of us. It was available for several days in the month I wanted to travel. I had some challenges finding onward seats to Sydney for travel a few days later but was eventually successful.
That's unfortunate, but for me, it's the most efficient routing.
That's unfortunate, but for me, it's the most efficient routing.
The AS devaluation on the free changes also make things a lot harder because it would be quite costly to optimize a routing.
I hope you would stay in a resort at Fiji instead of trying to get a local "taste", based on a few conversations I had with our cruise agent and some friends who have been in Fiji in recent years. Think like in Caribbeans you get the picture of what they talk about.
Last edited by Happy; Jul 9, 2018 at 1:23 pm
#3719
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
We have enough points to do several Cat 5 TPs but I would only do 1 because we would get better value on hotel stays after going over the new charts. The major thing is, we could not care less for the current Cat 9 that will go from 45K to 60K after Aug 1st and most likely even higher in 2019 while several hotels we would use in latter part of 2018 and in 2019 actually go down in levels, we would be better off to redeem the regular hotel stays with a few 5th night free thrown in than the TP redemption for the value of miles which we do not need.
Last edited by Happy; Jul 9, 2018 at 1:30 pm
#3720
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: Alaska mvp G, AA Exec Plat, Marriott/SPG platinum, United Silver, Delta Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 165
I called elite services today and I was assured by a representative that the travel certificates would remain as they are. If it’s a cat 1-5. It is I’ll still give you a cat 1-5 in new system. Or a cat 6 will still get the new cat 6 in new system. I asked her several times to make sure this was correct. She should assured me that it was and gave me her name to contact her and where she worked.( San Antonio) elite services.