Do e-Certificates stays need to occur before expiration?
Apr 9, 2013 | 9:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: SkyMiles, MileagePlus
Posts: 188
Do e-Certificates stays need to occur before expiration?
Or do they just need to be reserved before the expiration date?
Apr 9, 2013 | 9:52 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,599
Must stay before exp date.
Apr 10, 2013 | 1:04 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,088
Has anyone completed a stay using free night certs that expired before the stay?
I managed to reserve award nights in Oct using certs that expire in Sep. The certs were pulled from my account and no longer show under "Unused Rewards Certificates."
The booking confirmation shows "The reservation has e-certificates. Your e-certificates will be sent to the hotel." I don't want to check in and find out the e-certs expired before getting redeemed by the hotel.
I managed to reserve award nights in Oct using certs that expire in Sep. The certs were pulled from my account and no longer show under "Unused Rewards Certificates."
The booking confirmation shows "The reservation has e-certificates. Your e-certificates will be sent to the hotel." I don't want to check in and find out the e-certs expired before getting redeemed by the hotel.
Apr 10, 2013 | 4:08 am
#4
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: 11,775
Marriott's system doesn't check to verify that the cert will be valid during the stay, only that it is currently valid when linked. Thus you can make a reservation today with a cert that is currently good, but will expire before the stay.
But, when that cert expires, it will no longer be linked to that stay. You will then either need to have another cert linked or use points to order a cert. I do believe Marriott's system will automatically pull the points from your account (about a week before the stay) if you haven't linked another valid cert to the reservation.
But, when that cert expires, it will no longer be linked to that stay. You will then either need to have another cert linked or use points to order a cert. I do believe Marriott's system will automatically pull the points from your account (about a week before the stay) if you haven't linked another valid cert to the reservation.
Apr 16, 2013 | 9:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,088
I called Marriott customer service asking whether my e-certs will expire before I check in. She noted that since the e-certs were already linked to the reservation, then the hotel will accept them. --i.e. No problems with expiring e-certs as long as they are linked to the reservation.
Apr 17, 2013 | 12:19 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
I called Marriott customer service asking whether my e-certs will expire before I check in. She noted that since the e-certs were already linked to the reservation, then the hotel will accept them. --i.e. No problems with expiring e-certs as long as they are linked to the reservation.
Apr 17, 2013 | 1:47 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I called Marriott customer service asking whether my e-certs will expire before I check in. She noted that since the e-certs were already linked to the reservation, then the hotel will accept them. --i.e. No problems with expiring e-certs as long as they are linked to the reservation.
Apr 17, 2013 | 5:54 am
#8
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: 11,775
Apr 17, 2013 | 5:56 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
I called Marriott customer service asking whether my e-certs will expire before I check in. She noted that since the e-certs were already linked to the reservation, then the hotel will accept them. --i.e. No problems with expiring e-certs as long as they are linked to the reservation.
Apr 17, 2013 | 4:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,088
When the agent told me the e-certs will apply when I check in, I asked her to note it in the reservation. But how much will that help?
Should I ask the agent to generate new free night e-certs and replace the ones expiring before I check in? What if they tell me the same thing--no problem with the expiring e-certs already linked to reservation.
Darn Cat 1-4 certs are near impossible to use! These current ones are being used for CY Kona beach (still a Cat 4 for a couple more weeks).
Should I ask the agent to generate new free night e-certs and replace the ones expiring before I check in? What if they tell me the same thing--no problem with the expiring e-certs already linked to reservation.
Darn Cat 1-4 certs are near impossible to use! These current ones are being used for CY Kona beach (still a Cat 4 for a couple more weeks).
Apr 17, 2013 | 5:27 pm
#11
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
The free night reward must be used prior to its expiration date, meaning the redemption stay must occur before that date.
Best Regards,
Drew
Best Regards,
Drew
Apr 17, 2013 | 6:21 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
There's your definitive answer, Eethan!
Apr 17, 2013 | 7:06 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,599
Rule of thumb- when three or four Marriott board regulars stronglyy state the same thing- you may get very lucky, they may be wrong, but don't count on it!
May 2, 2013 | 8:46 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto, Ont., Canada
Programs: Marriott Titanium; Aeroplan E25; IHG Gold; Best Western Diamond
Posts: 2,498
Could call Marriott to see if they'll extend the cert. If they're nice, they'll extend it and you can use it.
May 3, 2013 | 3:57 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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