I think in the past, I have used this certificate in a narrow way and I request your assistance.

It does not matter whether we are referring to the Marriott Cert or the Renaissance Cert.

Previously, I have interpreted the use of this certificate to encompass only the weekend nights of Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Therefore, I believed that my free night had to encompass a weekend stay that either was a Friday and a Saturday night, or a Saturday and a Sunday night -- only those two types of stays.

Now, I am not so sure, as it indicates that you should reward yourself with a "Weekend Getaway," where your second consecutive night would be free.

Weekend nights are designated as Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.

So, would a "weekend stay" that begins on a Sunday night and includes the following Monday night qualify for the second night (Monday night) free discount??

Has anyone done this before?

What about if the Monday is a holiday -- e.g. July 4th and/or September 5th?

Thanks

Chris and Soc -- your responses are also requested! Thanks!

My understanding has always been that the free night has to be a weekend night. Therefore, you can stay Thursday, Friday or Saturday and get the next night free. But if you stay Sunday, you cannot get Monday free because it's not normally a weekend night. Not sure what would happen on a holiday wekend, though.

Bruce

Not that I want to rain on the parade (because, quite frankly, I admire your ability to find "wiggle room" within Ts and Cs).

But as a layperson, I'm led to believe by wording appearing under the photo on the page headed Offer Details - Marriott Rewards Elite Member Offer the following appears.

Reclaim your free time with a weekend getaway.

And enjoy a free second night from Marriott Hotels & Resorts or JW Marriott Hotel (sic) & Resorts.

It's one of life's unexpected rewards an exhilirating two-for-one weekend night offer...exclusively for you.

They don't restate it in the numbered Ts and Cs (and should have been explicit within them), but in item #9 "weekend days" are defined as Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

But, at least to me, with that last sentence ("It's one of life's unexpected pleasures" yada, yada, yada) they're saying "Buy the first weekend night and the second (weekend night) is free."

I wouldn't mind being wrong.

Kudos to you Rahman!

I think the above clinches it and I agree with your analysis!

As always, Marriott could use to tighten up their promotion language, but at least here, I can agree that the import clearly indicates another "weekend night" as defined by their term weekend night -- Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Bruce -- Have you ever been able to get a Thursday night?

I ask, because I see two reasons to deny it.

First, and foremost, it is not a weekend night as defined in the T & C.

Second, I always thought that for the Cert to work, the first night of your stay had to be the "paid" night, and the second night is the free night.

I don't assume that they have ever reversed the order for you, correct?

Thanks!

And, a big thank you to You Rahmanbar! ^

I would agree with Bruce's reading of it

Typically most non resort Marriott's have their weekend rates available Th-Su, Thu requires a Friday night stayover, Sunday requires a Saturday night stayover....

I understand that Soc, but as Rahman notes above, a weekend day is limited to Fri-Sun, except in the Middle East, due to the Muslim Sabbath falling on a Friday.


If Thursdays are allowable, I would love to know that!

I think he is saying that you can pay for Thurs and then Fri is free. That would kinda make sense

If that's the case (and I'm not saying that it isn't - I just don't know) this causes me to harken back to the point about "explicitness" (actually, lack of same) in the T's and C's.

Here's T & C #4 as it appears on the certificate in question:

"4. Weekend nights are designated as Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday nights only. In some properties in the Middle East, weekend nights are designated as Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights."

If a (domestic, non-resort) property does include Thursday within it's designation of weekend days perhaps something along the order of the italicized statements should be added to #4:

"4 Weekend nights are (with exceptions at various properties are designated as Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday nights only. However, certain properties occasionally designate Thursday as a weekend night valid under the Terms and Conditions of this offer. In some countries in the Middle East, weekend nights are designated as Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

I would also suggest that the first two statements appearing under the existing bold-faced heading "To take advantage of the offer" be highligted in some way -

* "Rooms must be confirmed in advance by calling your Elite Reservations Line."

* "Please advise agent that you will be using the Marriott Rewards Elite Exclusive Offer for the second night as the method of payment."

This is my personal opinion but I think some hotels would allow you to include Thursday based upon their occupancy....but again this is my own opinion

Just to be perfectly clear, I believe that if I pay for Thursday -- not necessarily a weekend day -- I can get Friday for free using the certificate, because Friday is a weekend day. It seems to me that I've actually done this, although I would have to check my records to be sure.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce and Soc.

Opens up new possibilites that I just had not even thought of!

I have actually been able to do this and it has been coded as Friday being the free night. I don't know if it is technically legal but it worked for me.

Does the room rate of each of the nights matter? I'm looking at a Saturday-Sunday hotel stay, where the Saturday night is cheaper than the Sunday night. Will they let me pay the lower price on Saturday (because it's the "first" night) and give me the Sunday free, or do you still have to pay the higher of the two nights??

You are fine. It is ALWAYS the first night that is the PAID night and it does not matter the difference in rates -- if there even is one -- or not.