Best use of Marriott points
 

I have accumulated 293,000 marriott points. It would appear the best deal is to do a transfer for the hotel/miles pkgs. appears to be slightly better than the transfers to american or united right now.

Thoughts

You are correct, the Marriott RewardsPlus Hotel + Air Package is one of the best uses of MR Points. If you can time this with a 50% airline transfer bonus, even better!

I thought the AA bonus excluded Travel Packages. Sucks because I would do one now.

tell me more
 

i am unfamilar with the 50% airline bonus when do those happen

A Different Question for an Expert
 

I am at a convention now and signed up too late to get a room at the Marriott. However, a friend is staying there and when I was in his room, I called the front desk to put my rewards number on the stay so he could get free internet and lounge access. Friend doesn't care about hotel rewards points. Will I get credit for the stay if my number is on the room but my name isn't? Or will the number get bumped off after checkout?

Just ask the front desk to add your name to his room. Otherwise points will likely not post.

When did this happen? I know there is a straight transfer bonus right now to AA but it excludes travel packages.

The packages are the best use to get miles.

I am at a convention now and signed up too late to get a room at the Marriott. However, a friend is staying there and when I was in his room, I called the front desk to put my rewards number on the stay so he could get free internet and lounge access. Friend doesn't care about hotel rewards points. Will I get credit for the stay if my number is on the room but my name isn't? Or will the number get bumped off after checkout?

My husband did this just a couple of times in the past, when he booked for a coworker (and was logged in, so his number got automatically attached to the reservation. It is very possible you will earn nights and points. If it were me, I'd also put the reservation in your name if it's not too late. Technically you're not supposed to (names must match) but errors happen.

I have over 400k MR points and haven't decided to use to get the SW companion pass. However if there are 50% conversions then this could sway me.

Which airlines in the past have offered this? and when?

Hey, this is cheating. Whether or not you get the points and night credits, friend is getting benefits for free (as a benefit of someone else's elite status) for which the hotel would otherwise receive revenue.

I took advantage of this in April 2013 and March 2012: "Transfer Hotel Points to US Airways with a 50% Bonus" Google it and you will see boardingarea.com, and other blogs explaining it.

Posting from 2013 Marriott Rewards Insiders "Many of you wanted to be alerted when this came back this Spring. ITS BACK! (April 2013)
Great deal when converting a Travel Package. I am going to convert one for 120k miles and get 60k Bonus. Not a bad deal!"

As I said, I time converting my MR Travel Packages when the airline announces the 50% transfer bonus.

I track and post about the US bonus every year. Its a great deal. My feeling is that its over. US is moving to Aadvantage March 31st and over to Oneworld. The merger is going to change a lot. Just speculation on my part. But the current AA bonus that excludes travel packages makes me think this is more true than ever.

It is a great deal and I sadly agree with your speculation and your stated points :( It will be interesting to see if the transfer bonus is offered by March or April 2014 to know for sure.