paying with GC's
 

This summer I drew the short straw and am stuck going on vacation with the sister-and-brother law. Being that our total resort charges will be several thousand dollars, I was thinking about seeing if I can find discounted Marriott GC's at BJ's, Costco, etc. to pay for everything. Assuming I can, is there any reason not to go this route? I'm only worried about some obscure MR provision that would, say, void Elite benefits, make the stay ineligible, mandate my sister-in-law's lounge chair be constantly next to mine, etc.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Not sure if it was in this forum or a blog but I thought I read that Marriott GCs are not available at other outlets anymore, just through Marriott.

Pick a resort that you get points on incidental spend. Would suck to be a RC & only get points for hotel room. Also, might be worth a few bucks to the cabana boy to make sure the SIL's lounge chair is across the pool :p :D

Cheers.

Cardpool.com and giftcards.com often have discounted gift cards. Sign up for alerts, but even then you have to be quick to get them before they're sold out. If you participate in MyPoints, you can buy them through its store for a bunch of bonus points.

If you're using a Marriott gift card, it SHOULD be processed just as if you're using another credit card. 80% of the time I have used one, it works just like a credit card. Just ask for a paper print-out of the bill after they use the gift card. In Hawaii once the person at the front desk tried to use the card as "credits" which would lower the total bill. I.E. less points for me, as the price of the bill was lower, rather than having it used as payment.

Basically, you're probably fine - just check the bill.

I recently booked two rooms at the same hotel for myself and a cousin. I used an e-certificate to pay for one, and guaranteed the other one to my Marriott credit card. When I checked in, I told the clerk I would want to use gift cards rather than have them automatically charge my card prior to sliding the portfolio under the door the next morning, and they said no problem, just bring them down when I'm ready to check out. At checkout time I handed them 4-5 different Marriott Gift Cards & Travel cards varyinig from $50-75-100-125 each. It took the clerk less than five minutes to process all of them, and that was that. No problems.

HTH.

If you use GCs, my advice is to email the property ahead of time letting them know you intend to use them, asking if there is anything you need to do ahead of time. Print the return email. Show the return email at check-in and ask if there is anything that needs to be done.

I've not done this pre-stay work and had to stand and wait while the hotel clerk figured out what to do. Others have wound up not being able to use the cards. When I've reached out ahead time, there is an envelope waiting at the desk letting the clerk know what to do, and/or an employee called to the front who is ready to deal with the GC.

Since I started doing this, using GCs has been problem free.

I just used GCs at the Marriott Vail and had no issues. Payment applied just like a credit card and there were no reduction in benefits. Got all my points.

Used them many times, the only problems have been with the clerk having to go get someone that knew how to deal with them. I just wait until check out and then go to the desk.

Haven't seen discounted ones for a while though.

Exact same experience. Not every clerk knows how to process them.

A couple of times I paid at check in, most often though at checkout.

Do they work at ritz Carlton's? Are they still for sale at staples?

all gift cards issued by MI are redeemable at all MI brands regardless of the brand identified on the gift card

My understanding is that they're only available from Marriott now & not other retail outlets.

Cheers.

Thanks everyone for your knowledgeable input. Have a great day.

paying with GC's
 

I've heard that using Marriott gift cards may possibly void the earning of points. Is this true? I see a poster above said that he received points for the stay. Not sure

You get your points for your stay. Did this dozens of times when they were sold at a discount. What you give up is the credit card bonus, but if you buy your card through Marriott you still get the 5 points per dollar bonus for buying gift cards.

Billy