Using Cat 5 cert for upgrade at Cat 3 property
Nov 18, 2017, 10:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Using Cat 5 cert for upgrade at Cat 3 property
Is it possible to use a Cat 5 certificate to secure a 2br suite at a Residence Inn (Cat 3 property) that says "eCertificate plus 2 upgrade certificates required per night" ? It's 25k points total for the room per night.
I don't have any certificates to use right now to test, just wondering if anyone has done this in the past.
I don't have any certificates to use right now to test, just wondering if anyone has done this in the past.
Nov 18, 2017, 10:18 am
#2
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: 11,727
With that said, I would suggest calling the PP line and ask them to call the hotel to see if the hotel might be willing to offer a free upgrade. I've been able to do that a couple of times when I was making award reservations for RIs. But note the hotel doesn't have to allow it. If they say no, you could still ask for the upgrade at check-in (assuming they still have any 2-bedroom suites available of course.) So while you can't use your cert to "guarantee" the upgrade, being a PP you might still be able to get it.
Last edited by hhoope01; Nov 18, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Nov 18, 2017, 10:48 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Unfortunately the certs don't work that way. So the answer is no, you can't use a Cat 5 cert to guarantee an upgrade at a Cat. 3 hotel.
With that said, I would suggest calling the PP line and ask them to call the hotel to see if the hotel might be willing to offer a free upgrade. I've been able to do that a couple of times when I was making award reservations for RIs. But note the hotel doesn't have to allow it. If they say no, you could still ask for the upgrade at check-in (assuming they still have any 2-bedroom suites available of course.) So will you can't use your cert for to "guarantee" the upgrade, being a PP you might still be able to get it.
With that said, I would suggest calling the PP line and ask them to call the hotel to see if the hotel might be willing to offer a free upgrade. I've been able to do that a couple of times when I was making award reservations for RIs. But note the hotel doesn't have to allow it. If they say no, you could still ask for the upgrade at check-in (assuming they still have any 2-bedroom suites available of course.) So will you can't use your cert for to "guarantee" the upgrade, being a PP you might still be able to get it.
Nov 20, 2017, 6:59 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, UA Silver (via Marriott)
Posts: 642
The problem is that it's not a "Category 5" certificate, it's a Category 1-5 certificate. So even if you stay at a Cat 1 that would normally be 7,500 points, you've satisfied the certificate - you don't get to "make up" the point equivalent you lose by staying at a lower-category hotel, even in terms of upgrades offered on points. I agree that it's not ideal, and I would prefer points for promos to certs (even if it were like 15-20K points instead of a Cat 1-5 cert).