marriott points vs aa miles/priceline question
 

I stayed at a Courtyard in Ottawa on a priceline booking. I asked whether I could still get points/miles, the answer was yes, I just need to sign up -- so I did.

In the application I chose to receive AA miles instead of Marriott points. However, now I received my membership kit and it seems I got points anyway,

338 points * 2 nights and
338 points new member activation offer

First of all, was I eligible to receive points at all? Second of all, can I ask Marriott Rewards to credit me AA miles instead, since that's what I chose in the first place? And if so, how much AA miles would I get? (I looked at their website, but due to the priceline booking, it's all unclear to me).

A: No.

B: In theory you could, but Marriott is just as likely to pull the points entirely if aware it was a Priceline stay.

C: http://marriott.com/rewards/earn/earnmiadd.mi

Normally, all you're supposed to receive is the appropriate points (5 or 10 per dollar, depending on property) for incidentals charged to the room, if staying on a PLN reservation. I believe I've gotten the room points once (likely by mistake), but have never received a stay credit. Go figure..

My wife has, as an elite, stayed on PLN reservations and has received her elite bonus (in addition to customary points) for incidental spend. As she pays her PLN bill with her MR VISA, she does at least get one point per dollar, a small consolation. Still, PLN offers such good value that each decision must be considered carefully.

We could've gotten the hotel (a FFI) we're currently at on PLN for roughly 1/2 what we're paying here, but we're completing a targeted offer for 10K points, which must be done by Tuesday, so we can round out a travel package. In this instance, the points are more important than the dollars.

BTW, the Ontario Airport Fairfield is a pretty nice place, save for having to get buzzed into the lobby (bad memories :) ). Otherwise, very consistent quality and service. Rooms on the smaller size, but with nice king bed. Very clean and well-appointed, with in-room coffee.


Pat

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but here's how Marriott does points for Priceline:

Marriott-owned properties (Marriott, Marriott Suites) and Rennaisance (sure I screwed up the spelling here)

Points for all Incidental $$

Marriott-branded properties: (Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield, etc.)

Points on the base room rate paid on Priceline only, no points for $$

I know this is so because I had a stay earlier this year at a Courtyard and only got points on the room rate, even though I had bought quite a few incidentals. The rep on the phone explained the above to me. I guess this is what they have worked out with the Franchisees (non-Marriott owned properties)

So if you do your stay at FFI on Priceline, then you'll only get the $ for the room rate. If you do it normally, regular rules apply.

I missed this part of your message. You'll get full points per normal, but had you reserved via PL, you would have only got points (and credit towards elite status) for the PL room rate.

Our FF points already posted, as have the RI points from a later stay in Palm Desert on the way home from the river. Both stays were conventional Marriott bookings, as required to receive the targeted bonus. RI was a nice value at 45 on the ENT rate. Picked up some perks and a getaway at nearby MRD while there, as we didn't have time for the tour. We could have stayed at the CY for 25 on PLN, but wouldn't have gotten credit for the stay, which we needed for the promo, as 8/31 was the last date.

Chris and Socrates were pretty clear about PLN reservations and points but Socrates did mention that there were some changes in the wind for PLN and how Marriott would consider them. Originally, according to them, no stay points or credits on PLN reservations whatsoever, regardless of hotel brand. Our PLN stays at RI and CY last year bore that out.

Perhaps they can re-visit the issue and further clarify...

Pat

camachinist,

When booking a stay through Priceline.com you will NOT be applicable to receive credit for the room rate nor elite night credit. The only time you will receive points is on incidentals at a full service property (i.e. Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, etc.).

Thanks,

Chris

This agrees with my understanding of the process, but does contradict a previous poster's assertion in this thread. Am I correct that this is current policy and perhaps the experience his opinion was based on was an exception?

Pat

Just because you got credit for a room rate on a Priceline stay doesn't make it "so."