The certificates are indeed numbered. They can tell which one you got at checkin.

At the Denver Airport Marriott on June 11, I was told cert would be given at checkout. I said that was unacceptable. Clerk said that she would have it delivered later to my room. It was. No big problem.

Bruce

Good to know, and good for you!

Mailing them at a later date is totally unacceptable.

Probably should tell them that the check is in the mail for the room reservation.

On my second OTP rate stay, the Anaheim Marriott told me they did not have the certificates, and instead said they would mail them to me. I tried forcing the issue, all the way to the manager, and he said he would fedex them on Monday. I told him regular mail would be fine.

It took nearly two weeks for one of my two certificates to arrive. I had to call again and ask for the second to me mailed to me. From now on, I'm not accepting it to be mailed later.

Friday night I stayed at the West Shore Marriott in Tampa. They didn't want to give it to me at check in, but I insisted. BTW, they forgot to give me my plat arrival "gift" selection when I checked in. I noticed it the following morning. I asked for a manager and, sure enough, in a few minutes she gave me $100 cash!

Next I'm going to try to redeem a different certificate at the Chicago Marriott Ohare while on a 3 day OTP rate.

Billy

Yeah, I wonder how they would feel if the shoe were on the other foot!

I think we all know the answer.

Me: Excuse me officer, but my credit card agreement says that they are to receive acknowledgment of the charge once I return home!

Cop:Yeah, right!

I got my BB today. They (Marriott Rivercenter Cincinnati) had said their policy is to mail them on Tuesdays. I looked at the postmark - mailed on the 14th ^

Could have just given it to me on the 12th and saved the postage

But, overall ^

It's more than just postage at stake. What if you hadn't received it? Who is responsible then? Would they just mail another certificate? Somehow I doubt that.

Bearer instruments like Bonus Bucks certificates should be handed over in person, not mailed. And it's supposed to happen at checkin.

Bruce

Another report -- Denver Tech Center Marriott. Asked manager for cert at checkin. Said give it upon checkout. Said I like express checkout and would like it now. She said "No we have to make sure the visa goes through." What crap. Like bonus bucks are the big deal if my CREDIT card doesn't go through for the room

Of course when I checked out the agent said "have a good day" and offered no bonus bucks. Now a little ticked I said 'you owe me something' she said 'what' and I said 'bonus bucks'.. So she turned them over and apologized, I said this is why they should hand them at check-in she said that's not the way its supposed to happen and I said 'No, you're wrong but I'm not going to argue' ...

Unfortunately this is just typical with Marriott... they are still the most consistant chain of them all (and I've now been top tier with Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Best Western) but they are losing this edge...

Marriott's own rules state clearly that Bonus Bucks are given at checkin. No other answer or excuse is going to be acceptable to me. If hotels don't like the rules, they should ask Marriott to change them. End of story.

It's really amazing to me -- and ironic -- how this wonderful promotion is creating so much bad feeling among customers! Somebody at Marriott needs to take some action.

Bruce

Got mine at check-in without asking today here at the Crystal City Marriott. But I was clearly told "it's the free breakfast or the bonus bucks - not both". No biggie as I have a very early flight, but I didn't get the breakfast even as a Platinum.

That's OK though. When I checked in I asked if I could use a Master Card to check-in as my Visa is my checkcard which I'd prefer not to run the whole authorization through on, but that I'd switch the final bill to my Visa in the morning. They said no problem and then handed me the bonus bucks .

Great promo though -- it's bringing me back to Marriott after about 18 mo. at Starwood & Hilton. Can't beat a $100 bonus buck on a $129 rate!

You should have whipped out the T&C and shouted, "Liar, Liar, pants on fire"

Stay for Breakfast Terms & Conditions
Offer valid May 1 through September 6, 2004 in the continental US. Rate includes breakfast for up to two adults and children age 12 and under listed as registered guests staying in the same room. A limited number of rooms are available for the breakfast rate and the $100 Bonus Bucks� coupon offer at participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts in the US. Must stay over a Friday or Saturday night to get the breakfast rate. Offer not applicable to groups of 10 rooms or more. Other restrictions, including blackout dates may apply. Day of week availability may vary by hotel. Reserve and pay with any VISA� card in order to receive Bonus Bucks coupon. Void where prohibited. One $100 Bonus Bucks coupon issued per room, per stay. A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. Bonus Bucks coupons can only be used on a future 2-night paid stay at any Marriott Hotels & Resorts or Renaissance Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Use of Bonus Bucks coupon not combinable with other offers. See below for complete terms and conditions on redemption of Bonus Bucks coupon. � 2004 Marriott International, Inc.

I checked in for my second OTP stay at the same Marriott, Fairview Park. The same clerk checked me in. We had the same conversation....BB giving out at checkout. After about 5 minutes of talking to the "manager" in the office, she finally gave in and handed me the BB...but not before she wrote down the BB serial number.....and reminded me that the BB I just received cannot be used on the current stay.

I guess all the hotels are worry that the guest will use the BB right away. If they would take the time to read the term of using the certificate, they would know that if the guest wants to use a BB they must surrender the BB at check-in...which makes it almost impossible to use the new one. All they have to do is hands out the BB with the room key, after the check-in procedures are completed.

Doing another OTP stay at the Fairview Park Marriott. Same song and dance about the policy of giving it at check out. But I was prepared this time. I printed the rule in color and handed it to the clerk and asked him to read it.

He went in the office and asked a supervisor. I got my BB. I asked the supervisor why did the hotel insist on making customers go through the heartburn. He couldn't come up with an answer.

Just spoke to the front office manager. He informed me that local management has the right to deviate from corporate policy. They do not really have to follow what's printed on the web and they made a decision to give out the cert at check out. ^ ^ ^

I guess this is the reason why there is so many inconsistancy between hotels. The inconsistancy is making the good ones look bad.

After reading this entire thread, I have come to the conclusion that they are given at checkout because some number of people are going to forget to stop.
I like someone else was not even aware of this program until this thread caught my attention (Plat level). Looked on the web site and did not see it, it may be there and I only did not look hard enough.