Use Marriott gift card in Starwood hotels soon?
Jan 28, 2019, 11:47 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,578
That is incorrect. My experience with gift cards is they use the XE rate, or something similar to convert. It is not the cash exchange rate that the front desk gives you.
My gift cards are in USD and I used one of them at Courtyard YYZ and the exchange rate was spot on.
Jan 28, 2019, 5:16 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
The following Marriott Hotel Brands DO NOT accept Marriott or The Ritz-Carlton GiftCards: Protea Hotels by Marriott®, St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, Element®, Design Hotels™
This information is not displayed on the Ultimate Rewards gift card order site.
This information is not displayed on the Ultimate Rewards gift card order site.
Jan 28, 2019, 9:15 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
That is incorrect. My experience with gift cards is they use the XE rate, or something similar to convert. It is not the cash exchange rate that the front desk gives you.
My gift cards are in USD and I used one of them at Courtyard YYZ and the exchange rate was spot on.
Jan 28, 2019, 9:22 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
Please post if it changes as I won’t be down under until April.
What I found particularly irksome the last time I went was they charged more for the SPG branded card (Amex) than MC or Visa. I know Amex has higher merchant fees, but come on, it’s your card. You should eat the difference.
Jan 29, 2019, 2:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,506
Using Marriott Gift Card at SPG Hotel
Can Marriott gift cards now be used at SPG hotels? SPG CS said it has been possible since January 16th of this year; Marriott CS told me it's not possible yet.
Jan 29, 2019, 6:36 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,455
Officially it's not possible, and I would be surprised if SPG properties had been trained on how to process them. I think there is no technical limitation because everyone is now migrated to the same system. Marriott will also tell you in their T&Cs that points advance doesn't work at SPG brands even though it does now.
I assume Marriott at some point will announce that it's possible, with it actually having been technically possible for months prior.
I assume Marriott at some point will announce that it's possible, with it actually having been technically possible for months prior.
Jan 30, 2019, 5:40 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
There's been some recent discussion (2 days ago) here.
Use Marriott gift card in Starwood hotels soon?
Use Marriott gift card in Starwood hotels soon?
Feb 9, 2019, 2:23 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
Case in point, here some gas stations have credit card prices higher than cash prices. Using the brand's gift card would not help, I was told, as the gift card is processed like a credit card.
Mar 5, 2019, 3:14 am
#24
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
Looks like the answer is yes. Further discussion can go in the Marriott Gift Cards Can Now Be Used at All SPG Hotels thread.
