Advice kindly sought re Marriott status at R-Cs
Dec 30, 2016, 1:42 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
Again, GUWonder / Joshua362 / dayone / bhrubin / sig05 / sammyindc -- I genuinely appreciate all the great tips left above, most of which I had been perfectly oblivious to.
May I ask one final question?
If I did decide to plump for a Marriott 'Travel Package' -- one where I'd receive a 7-night R-C certificate -- would any such certificate restrict me to staying in one hotel only? I ask as I had thought about the R-C in both Kyoto AND Tokyo (say 4 nights in one, 3 nights in another), but I wasn't entirely sure whether this was prohibited by the T&Cs and whether, in fact, stays had to be undertaken in the one hotel?
Again, sorry if this sounds like an intensely stupid question.
Many thanks.
May I ask one final question?
If I did decide to plump for a Marriott 'Travel Package' -- one where I'd receive a 7-night R-C certificate -- would any such certificate restrict me to staying in one hotel only? I ask as I had thought about the R-C in both Kyoto AND Tokyo (say 4 nights in one, 3 nights in another), but I wasn't entirely sure whether this was prohibited by the T&Cs and whether, in fact, stays had to be undertaken in the one hotel?
Again, sorry if this sounds like an intensely stupid question.
Many thanks.
Dec 30, 2016, 3:08 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
If I did decide to plump for a Marriott 'Travel Package' -- one where I'd receive a 7-night R-C certificate -- would any such certificate restrict me to staying in one hotel only? I ask as I had thought about the R-C in both Kyoto AND Tokyo (say 4 nights in one, 3 nights in another), but I wasn't entirely sure whether this was prohibited by the T&Cs and whether, in fact, stays had to be undertaken in the one hotel?
Many thanks.
Cheers.
Dec 30, 2016, 3:16 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
If I did decide to plump for a Marriott 'Travel Package' -- one where I'd receive a 7-night R-C certificate -- would any such certificate restrict me to staying in one hotel only? I ask as I had thought about the R-C in both Kyoto AND Tokyo (say 4 nights in one, 3 nights in another), but I wasn't entirely sure whether this was prohibited by the T&Cs and whether, in fact, stays had to be undertaken in the one hotel?
- One 7-night e-certificate, to be attached to a 7-night reservation at one hotel
- Deposit of the specified number of points to a single airline
The hotel portion cannot be broken up for use at more than one hotel.
The air portion does not need to be used for the same trip as the hotel portion. It simply becomes part of your mileage/point balance with the airline program you specify.
There are all sorts of permutations of category/tier, airline, the number of airline points. So it's necessary to have a pretty good idea of what you want before proceeding.
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi
Dec 30, 2016, 5:15 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Programs: Etihad Guest
Posts: 1,549
Why not just book an AMEX FHR rate?
It gets you breakfast and guaranteed 4 pm checkout, and usually an upgrade too.
It gets you breakfast and guaranteed 4 pm checkout, and usually an upgrade too.
Dec 30, 2016, 6:58 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: AUS
Programs: Marriott LTP/Current Titanium
Posts: 41
Dec 30, 2016, 7:01 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 686
Sound advice. In this specific case, these options weren't available at booking nor via the common "we are getting excited preparing for your stay, here are some extra options" email I received. Nor was it offered in several email exchanges.
I will definitely pursue if I try to stay at a RC again.
I will definitely pursue if I try to stay at a RC again.
Dec 31, 2016, 7:57 am
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Horace covered it for the OP and others who aren't familiar w/ the details.
Cheers.
Jan 1, 2017, 7:52 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,652
Our treatment from staff at the first two properties has been outstanding. I don't foresee a fall off in Kyoto.
Jan 2, 2017, 5:23 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
Sharon / Horace / sig05 / GueroDeTejas / DCF / txpenny - thanks a million for posting the above. I genuinely do appreciate it. In very short order, I've picked up an awful lot of great information, for which I am extremely grateful. I will certainly put this into practice. (Essentially, I am trying to build an itinerary for my partner and her mother regarding a trip to Japan at the end of the year, and some of the Marriott Travel packages had looked quite enticing post-merger.)
If you don't mind me asking what will doubtless appear yet another shamelessly stupid question, when txpenny and sig05 mention above that they tend to book with points and then "cash upgrade to club" -- could I finally just ask how you actually go about paying to upgrade to a club room? Is there an online facility to do this once you have booked your Travel package, for instance (in those cases where you may decide to opt for this upgrade some time after making the initial booking) OR would you actually need to make the cash upgrade to club at the same time as redeeming your travel package?
Again, thank you all for your incredible levels of patience! Sorry to be a complete nuisance!
If you don't mind me asking what will doubtless appear yet another shamelessly stupid question, when txpenny and sig05 mention above that they tend to book with points and then "cash upgrade to club" -- could I finally just ask how you actually go about paying to upgrade to a club room? Is there an online facility to do this once you have booked your Travel package, for instance (in those cases where you may decide to opt for this upgrade some time after making the initial booking) OR would you actually need to make the cash upgrade to club at the same time as redeeming your travel package?
Again, thank you all for your incredible levels of patience! Sorry to be a complete nuisance!
Jan 2, 2017, 12:22 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,652
I ask for the upgrade upon arrival at the hotel.
Jan 3, 2017, 4:13 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 686
Sharon / Horace / sig05 / GueroDeTejas / DCF / txpenny - thanks a million for posting the above. I genuinely do appreciate it. In very short order, I've picked up an awful lot of great information, for which I am extremely grateful. I will certainly put this into practice. (Essentially, I am trying to build an itinerary for my partner and her mother regarding a trip to Japan at the end of the year, and some of the Marriott Travel packages had looked quite enticing post-merger.)
If you don't mind me asking what will doubtless appear yet another shamelessly stupid question, when txpenny and sig05 mention above that they tend to book with points and then "cash upgrade to club" -- could I finally just ask how you actually go about paying to upgrade to a club room? Is there an online facility to do this once you have booked your Travel package, for instance (in those cases where you may decide to opt for this upgrade some time after making the initial booking) OR would you actually need to make the cash upgrade to club at the same time as redeeming your travel package?
Again, thank you all for your incredible levels of patience! Sorry to be a complete nuisance!
If you don't mind me asking what will doubtless appear yet another shamelessly stupid question, when txpenny and sig05 mention above that they tend to book with points and then "cash upgrade to club" -- could I finally just ask how you actually go about paying to upgrade to a club room? Is there an online facility to do this once you have booked your Travel package, for instance (in those cases where you may decide to opt for this upgrade some time after making the initial booking) OR would you actually need to make the cash upgrade to club at the same time as redeeming your travel package?
Again, thank you all for your incredible levels of patience! Sorry to be a complete nuisance!
Edit = The cash upgrade has never been charged in advance; it is added to my folio upon checkin.
Jan 3, 2017, 4:39 pm
#28
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,317
Your questions are fine. Your repeated self-denigration? Not so much.
Jan 3, 2017, 5:18 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,652
I book on points on MR, then call the hotel directly with my reservation number. For example, RC Amelia and RC Orlando charge $200/night for a Club Level upgrade on a points stay. I've seen as low as $150 for RC New Orleans.
Edit = The cash upgrade has never been charged in advance; it is added to my folio upon checkin.
Edit = The cash upgrade has never been charged in advance; it is added to my folio upon checkin.
Jan 4, 2017, 1:37 am
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
sig05 / dayone / txpenny -- thank you for clarifying about how to upgrade to club having first booked a redemption. From general consensus, it would appear that the club facilities/access at many-a RC represent good value, so, from where I stand at least, this is excellent food for thought. I very much appreciate it. All the best for now.