TxLobo

Many states require you to pay tax on the total when its a rebate which gets reimbursed from an un-affiliated entity. Such as using a Kellogs coupon at Safeway, definitely taxable.

A $ off or reduced rate can be a different story since your dealing with a Marriott Hotel getting the discount from Marriott. Yes I know that they are a franchise but the law in some states, such as Texas and Florida look at the situations differently.

Similar rules apply to Excise Tax on your airfare, which is why a gift certificate is treated differently than a bump voucher in computing the tax. IE Certificates are taxable while bump vouchers are not.

lawgirl28

Yep - they told me the same thing on the phone last week. Probably totally depends on what CSR you get.

drtdk

I don't know about the law but, in practice in Texas and several other states, manufacturer's coupons are definitely not taxable. When they apply to a specific item, coupons are treated no differently than a manufacturer�s allowance that a store uses to put the item on sale. If a box of Corn Flakes is $3.00 and you have a coupon for $1.00, you pay tax on the net price after coupon or $2.00.

Please don't quote me the law and tell me the store is doing it wrong. I care about the practice, not the law. "The New York Times" and "The Wall Street Journal" but not the local paper should be taxable in Texas because the law states that all newspapers and periodicals above a certain price (50 cents, I think) are taxable. When was last time you were charged tax at DFW when you bought a paper?

BBs are more like gift certificates than coupons. As you stated, there is a difference is how GCs are treated. Since they apply to any billing rather than a specific charge (e.g., the room rate), they rightly do not reduce the taxes due.

Uncle Lars

Does anyone know if the last-minute eBreaks rates are considered eligible for the Bonus Bucks, or are they considered not publicly available?

jessej

call and ask the csr.
if they are, have them make the note in the reservation that you are using a BB.

if the csr says no
tell them thanx and hang up the phone
wait 5 minutes

then repeat the process over

as long as the csr notes in it the reservation, its not your problem

if you are plat or gold they may take them anyway

bdschobel

I have been told that Bonus Bucks cannot be used on e-break rates, for two reasons:

1. Because e-break rates are theoretically sent only to Marriott Rewards members, those rates are not "publicly available." I find this argument to be preposterous. Any fool who can type "MEB" in the promotional code box can get e-break rates. You don't need a membership card.

2. E-break rates are already so low that Marriott is simply unwilling to discount them even more (by accepting Bonus Bucks). I see their point, but it's really not my problem.

Although I have been Platinum forever, I have never successfully used Bonus Bucks on an e-break rate. That doesn't stop me from trying!

Bruce

Uncle Lars

I tried the email route with Marriott, and here's what I got....

Something tells me I should have this email laminated, and take with me next time I try to use Bonus Bucks on eBreaks....

But now, logistically, isn't it impossible to book eBreaks via phone, thereby making this email irrelevant?


Thank you for contacting Marriott. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information.

Our records indicate that you are able to use your Bonus Buck coupon in conjunction with our eBreaks promotions. You must be a registered guest and a two night paid stay is required. One Bonus Buck coupon is applicable per two night stay

Reservations for Bonus Bucks redemption should be made in advance by calling 1-800-899-7235. You are not able use a Bonus Bucks coupon on a stay booked on Marriott.com or any other website including travel agent bookings. You must call Marriott directly.

Thank you for choosing Marriott.

Regards,
Bryan Cogar
Marriott Internet Customer Care

Counsellor

At one time about 15 years ago Texas law specifically stated that (i.e., tax was applied after coupons were deducted). I don't know whether it still does, though.

Other states, of course, may have other laws.

srodr

You're the only one I've seen that has been told this by customer relations. Can you elaborate on who told you this and by what means?
If I could get an email from Marriott saying this, I'd print it and carry it with me.


.

sufm

I Have a $100 Marriott check and am thinking to stay at the Toronto Airport Marriott in September.

If the room rate plus taxes are less than this $100 "US" dollars check, I am wondering will the hotel give you some money back ? Does anyone know exactly how it works ? Thanks for the help.

bdschobel

No change is given on these. Don't bother asking. It definitely won't happen. Better to buy yourself a drink in the hotel restaurant and get something tangible.

Bruce

jessej

actually if they use the conversion rate which is 10% less than standard/normal
you may owe them some cash at checkout

TxLobo

I can request it in writing but for me practice has held this out to be correct.... I stay in Marriotts and Renaissances between 100 and 250 nights a year almost always at Govt or AAA rates and most of the time I use Bonus Bucks. NEVER EVER have I had a problem using them. I am absolutely baffled that so many people on this web site have indicated that they had problems with them. I might expect problems internationally but for me, even those locations have honored the use of MBB's, though sometimes grudgingly, when they called Marriott they were 100% of the time instructed to accept them....

srodr

...probably because of your status. I doubt that I'd be able to get the same results with a gov rate.

Numbskull

It depends upon the hotel chain. Marriott government rules state, "We�re honored to welcome government and military personnel as our special guests. Whether you�re traveling across the country or around the world, most of our 2,600 Marriott hotels offer special rates, which are in most cases at or below your US Government per diem.

Marriott�s government and military rates are offered to:

� All federal, state, county and local government employees
� All active military personnel "

Doesn't say anything about official business. Only time we ever had an issue was when we were trying to book 4 rooms. Had to have a separate government ID for each room. The desk clerk went ahead and accepted my children's IDs for rooms 3 and 4.