Points discrepancy with stays outside US (due to conversion rates?)
Aug 6, 2013 | 1:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: MR Gold, Hilton Diamond, Mlia Platinum, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,197
Points discrepancy with stays outside US (due to conversion rates?)
I often have stays outside US, as a result the bill is not in USD. Points are calculated on the USD amount so there's a currency conversion involved. There used to be a point when I did not really check the number of points awarded and just checked if all stays posted. Since last year I'm paying more attention and I noticed that each and every time the number of points I receive is below the number of points I would expect based on the exchange rate I use (google).
It always involves small amounts butt adding everything up I may have missed a few 1000 points by now. This weekend I had another stay and yet again there's a 5pct difference.
Have others similar experiences? Has anybody ever complained about this?
It always involves small amounts butt adding everything up I may have missed a few 1000 points by now. This weekend I had another stay and yet again there's a 5pct difference.
Have others similar experiences? Has anybody ever complained about this?
Aug 6, 2013 | 6:17 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
the # of points due is based upon the base rate WITHOUT taxes/service charges (and not include any 3rd party payments which may include parking charges not owned by the property) ...............so it may not be due to a conversion issue.............
I often have stays outside US, as a result the bill is not in USD. Points are calculated on the USD amount so there's a currency conversion involved. There used to be a point when I did not really check the number of points awarded and just checked if all stays posted. Since last year I'm paying more attention and I noticed that each and every time the number of points I receive is below the number of points I would expect based on the exchange rate I use (google).
It always involves small amounts butt adding everything up I may have missed a few 1000 points by now. This weekend I had another stay and yet again there's a 5pct difference.
Have others similar experiences? Has anybody ever complained about this?
It always involves small amounts butt adding everything up I may have missed a few 1000 points by now. This weekend I had another stay and yet again there's a 5pct difference.
Have others similar experiences? Has anybody ever complained about this?
Aug 6, 2013 | 6:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SVX
Programs: HHonors Gold, Aeroflot Bonus, local tram pass
Posts: 132
Wrong conversion rates in your book
To calculate points, Marriott use their own rates - https://www.marriott.com/reservation...ateCurrency.mi
Aug 7, 2013 | 2:47 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: MR Gold, Hilton Diamond, Mlia Platinum, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,197
Charges that do not qualify for Points include taxes applied to the room rate, purchase of Marriott gift certificates or gift cards, purchase of The Ritz-Carlton gift certificates or gift cards, charges for third party-provided goods and services at participating Marriott brand hotels or Ritz-Carlton hotels, and catering or banquet functions charged to the guest room account.
To calculate points, Marriott use their own rates - https://www.marriott.com/reservation...ateCurrency.mi
Aug 7, 2013 | 3:27 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CEB
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 275
The same happened on a stay this weekend so I'm about to send another email to Marriott.
Aug 7, 2013 | 3:30 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CEB
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 275
Given the wierd exchange rates Marriott uses when awarding points for non-USD spend, it's hard to work out anyway...
Aug 7, 2013 | 3:56 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
your Invoice should show the breakdown of with and without VAT (with VAT listed as a line-item)..............MR points are applicable to the non-VAT included portion ONLY.......
I wonder how this works in Europe though where you're quoted a room rate which includes tax (VAT). My assumption was that you'd get points on the full rate (including VAT) but I'm not entirely sure that's correct.
Given the wierd exchange rates Marriott uses when awarding points for non-USD spend, it's hard to work out anyway...
Given the wierd exchange rates Marriott uses when awarding points for non-USD spend, it's hard to work out anyway...
Aug 7, 2013 | 5:42 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
Remember there are both "buy" and "sell" rates for currency exchanges....while I'm not certain I'm pretty sure the calculation uses the buy rate
Aug 7, 2013 | 7:07 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
I've had issues with points being off by about 1,000 points per stay when staying at hotels in the UK. Just do the calculation yourself, and send a note to member services, and they usually fix it.