? regarding reward redemption
 

I made a reward reservation this morning for a two night stay at a cat. 6 Marriot. At this time, they had the standard rewards available (55k points). I am still about 8k points shy, but will have the neccessary points well before my travel date. My question is am I guaranteed to get the 55k point rate since I have already made the reservation? My concern is what happens if before I earn enough points to order the cert, the rewards rate for this property changes to "stay anytime." Thanks.

If your reservation shows online as a standard award, then it is guaranteed even if later only stay anytime awards are all that's available. I would advise you to print a copy of the reservation.

I stand to be corrected, but I think you'll be just fine. I've made reservations like this all the time. Never a problem.

When I've made these over the phone, I've made the comment that I don't have the points now, but I will at the time of my stay. Nobody has ever said anything about this being not allowed.

This is not to be confused with the airlines, where essentially you typically do actually have to have the miles before making a reservations using a mileage reward.

That's what I was hoping to hear. Thanks.

This is my one gripe about the program.

Either you have the points or you dont.

I may have to use stay anytime points because someone reserved who doesn't even have the points in their account for a standard award. :td:

I've been able to reserve Hyatt, Hilton, and Starwood award stays without the necessary points in my account, so I don't see how Marriott is any different.

If you want to be a real turd, just reserve everything in sight, and check off "already have certificate". As the date approaches, decide which one(s) you want, and have the points for, and cancel the rest.

It works, but it's not really cricket, old boy. OTOH, getting a Standard Award when there's availability and paying the points later (i.e., actually going through with it) is fine. People do it all the time, because award availability tends to dry up at the popular properties.