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
Jul 27, 2018, 9:26 am
#4291
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
Marriott doesn't know how it, or more precisely its post-merger IT system, would be able handle the current TPs post 8/18. Because of this uncertainty, even people at Marriott who should know are not properly informed. So there's no hope we will know what would happen on 8/18 to the TP certificates.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:28 am
#4292
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 225
From posts above, please seem to be saying that even non-expedited points going to United should post overnight. I purchased my package on Tuesday and no sign of the 132K points in my United account yet. Is it worth calling back, or will they just laugh and tell me to wait 3 weeks before asking them to put in a trace.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:33 am
#4294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
All this confusion leads to only one conclusion:
Marriott doesn't know how it, or more precisely its post-merger IT system, would be able handle the current TPs post 8/18. Because of this uncertainty, even people at Marriott who should know are not properly informed. So there's no hope we will know what would happen on 8/18 to the TP certificates.
Marriott doesn't know how it, or more precisely its post-merger IT system, would be able handle the current TPs post 8/18. Because of this uncertainty, even people at Marriott who should know are not properly informed. So there's no hope we will know what would happen on 8/18 to the TP certificates.
On a more serious note - Marriott is struggling to find an acceptable balance on the cost front that is reasonable to both the company and the customers. They should just take the high road and give more to the customers that would greatly simplify the issues IT team encounters.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:34 am
#4295
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Titanium, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, United Premier Silver
Posts: 707
I am not following . . . are people expediting the miles because they are concerned they will not get the full 85K,120K or 132K miles if they transfer after the merger? Or just because they want the miles faster? I do not need the miles ASAP, but is there any such concern that one may not receive the full redemption miles if they are processed after the August 19 date?
Jul 27, 2018, 9:35 am
#4296
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: 52,574
I did a United TP last year. Called one afternoon, miles were there the following evening. I was refreshing semi-often - booking 5 seats one-way to Europe on peak dates - and I recall them hitting my account at around 7:30pm CT the next day.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:39 am
#4297
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Titanium, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, United Premier Silver
Posts: 707
I would like to redeem the seven nights at a Marriott property that is currently category 6. According to the chart at https://points-redemption.marriott.com/category-change, it will become a category 4. I was going to purchase a category 1-5 certificate since that should cover a new 4, I believe. But the problem is that if I need to attach it now, I need to purchase a category 6 package, correct? I know there are still unknowns but is conventional wisdom that I would receive 30K back after the merger? Or do I just lose any difference? I am not clear how to best do this.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:42 am
#4298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Just redeemed 5 7-night TP and the call was picked up in 20 seconds and all was done in 10 minutes. Points are gone from my account and I decided to attach to the same hotel I frequent to. I verified all reservations have certificate attached to them but strangely I am still seeing two unused certificate. I am waiting for CC statement to close so that I can do one more float. Hope I won't regret it.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:45 am
#4299
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 308
Other than the fact that I wish Marriott was clearly publishing Travel Package information directly (not through random bloggers), this announcement isn't alarming to me.
All that is for certain is that on August 4th, our ability to attach a certificate goes temporarily dark, likely for 2 to 3 weeks. I think it's clear, both from the latest quote and other sources, that Marriott recognizes the value of the certificates and will play fair with us post-merger. Your certificate will come back in the new world, probably sometime in late August.
I have a floater sitting out there now. I have no real plans for it. It's going to go dark for a while and come back as something new. Mine is a base Cat 5 TP, so the easiest and most likely outcome is that it reappears as a Cat 4. I'm fine with that.
The only reason I'd take action prior to August 4th is if I had a strong probability of using it at a hotel that was rising in category in the new program. Then, I'd attach it now, as in the old-7-to-new-6 example above.
Whether they'll allow you to redeem a new TP between Aug 4 and Aug 18 is anyone's guess. If you're sitting on 270k points, I'd be on the phone this week getting the TP redeemed. Hold times are only going to get worse.
All that is for certain is that on August 4th, our ability to attach a certificate goes temporarily dark, likely for 2 to 3 weeks. I think it's clear, both from the latest quote and other sources, that Marriott recognizes the value of the certificates and will play fair with us post-merger. Your certificate will come back in the new world, probably sometime in late August.
I have a floater sitting out there now. I have no real plans for it. It's going to go dark for a while and come back as something new. Mine is a base Cat 5 TP, so the easiest and most likely outcome is that it reappears as a Cat 4. I'm fine with that.
The only reason I'd take action prior to August 4th is if I had a strong probability of using it at a hotel that was rising in category in the new program. Then, I'd attach it now, as in the old-7-to-new-6 example above.
Whether they'll allow you to redeem a new TP between Aug 4 and Aug 18 is anyone's guess. If you're sitting on 270k points, I'd be on the phone this week getting the TP redeemed. Hold times are only going to get worse.
Last edited by PumpkinSmasher; Jul 27, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Jul 27, 2018, 9:55 am
#4300
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Post deleted
Last edited by controller1; Jul 27, 2018 at 3:23 pm Reason: Who knows, I may want to run for office some day!
Jul 27, 2018, 9:55 am
#4301
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,790
If an airline cancels a flight, should customers receive a full refund or one minus a cancellation fee?
There are two parts to a travel package and if one part is changed, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a customer to ask to unwind the entire transaction. My family purchased enough SPG points to buy a travel package. If MPG wants to cancel the hotel portion of a travel package and provide a liquidated value, then I believe at a minimum the company should allow customers to cancel the purchase. Take the miles back, return all points and possibly cancel any points purchased.
If MR had offered a $100 resort credit as part of a hotel booking and later decided to eliminate the resort credit, what is a reasonable refund? Providing a credit of $30, which is a similar to returning 45K for a package that is worth up to 150K, and not offering to refund the entire transaction isn't going to make customers happy. On the other hand, if a customer didn't use the $100 credit and MR offered a $30 refund that might be a reasonable offer.
There are two parts to a travel package and if one part is changed, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a customer to ask to unwind the entire transaction. My family purchased enough SPG points to buy a travel package. If MPG wants to cancel the hotel portion of a travel package and provide a liquidated value, then I believe at a minimum the company should allow customers to cancel the purchase. Take the miles back, return all points and possibly cancel any points purchased.
If MR had offered a $100 resort credit as part of a hotel booking and later decided to eliminate the resort credit, what is a reasonable refund? Providing a credit of $30, which is a similar to returning 45K for a package that is worth up to 150K, and not offering to refund the entire transaction isn't going to make customers happy. On the other hand, if a customer didn't use the $100 credit and MR offered a $30 refund that might be a reasonable offer.
In this case, Marriott could assign a much high value to the airline miles
Last edited by SP03; Jul 27, 2018 at 10:26 am Reason: typo
Jul 27, 2018, 10:04 am
#4302
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: 52,574
This is where I'm at too. Have multiple Cat 1-5 certs, but honestly no specific redemption in mind. In fact, I prefer the new award chart at the 1-4 options (with SPG properties + Marriotts I might actually stay at decreasing in value). So long as I have the option to at least use my certificates at 1-4 properties post 8/18, I'll be fine with that. My SO though has a Cat 1-6 cert and I'm really not sure what she should do. Similar situation though...doesn't have a specific redemption in mind so she may gamble as well.
My reasoning is that I honestly don't think Marriott is going to shaft Category 6 certificate holders by giving you a new Cat 4 and nothing else. There's a *chance* you're going to get a one-time 30,000-point "bonus" in the conversion, emerging on the other side with a Cat 5 certificate. The most-fair thing would be to get a new 4 plus a 30k refund. But if they err on the side of software simplicity, they're just going to translate old 6 to new 5 and call it good.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:07 am
#4303
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
The analogy would be if you had bought a connecting flight and one leg is cancelled. You could get a refund, but only for the cancelled portion. It's really up to the airline to determine what the flown/unflown portion is worth.
In this case, Marriott could assign a much high value to the airline
In this case, Marriott could assign a much high value to the airline
I am not arguing legality, but it is unreasonable for the party modifying a transaction to pick the value of the change and not allow a full refund.
Last edited by rny321; Jul 27, 2018 at 10:27 am
Jul 27, 2018, 10:08 am
#4304
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: 52,574
The analogy would be if you had bought a connecting flight and one leg is cancelled. You could get a refund, but only for the cancelled portion. It's really up to the airline to determine what the flown/unflown portion is worth.
In this case, Marriott could assign a much high value to the airline
In this case, Marriott could assign a much high value to the airline
This is something that United or Spirit might do. Or whomever ran that Goldpoints program of yesteryear. I have faith that Marriott will not do this.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:25 am
#4305
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
A different question: I want to stay at the Marriott County Hall hotel in London for 4 nights in Aug. 2019. The booking calendar only goes into early July 2019. Should I book 5 nights @45k=180k now using points alone for July 2019 (getting no air miles) and as soon that I can move the date as the calendar opens for Aug. 2019 (without having to pay more points since the rates will have increased)…. Or would it be better for me to book a 7 night vacation package @390k for this category 9 Marriott, taking the 132K United miles now, reserving 7 nights in July 2019, and hoping that as the calendar opens I will be able to move the 7 nights into August once available, even though I’m only going to use 5 nights (without having to pay more points since the rates will have increased). Which makes better sense assuming booking these before Aug. 1...or Aug. 17, 2018. Also if I cannot book 7 consecutive nights, does that mean I will not be able to use any of the package? If I can book 7 consecutive nights, is it OK if I only use the first 5 nights without penalty, losing of course the final 2 nights.
You can book a 7-night stay and check out after the 4th night without penalty. There is no penalty as the hotel will have the room available for last minute booking, and more profit for them. Did so in Bangkok in January booking a 7 night 1-5 Category certificate at the Marriott Marques Queens Park Bangkok and checked out after 6 nights. No refund for the last night but no penalty either.