Well, good luck if you can get the property to accept the logic that something available only to folks who can show they're over 65 is avaliable to the general public. Personally, I haven't been so lucky.

Showing ID to prove you're you (which can include a letter addressed to you or a picture ID that doesn't include age info -- I've seen a convention badge accepted as sufficient to register) is different that being required to show ID to prove you are qualified for the rate.

With this insight hopefully you will no longer have irreconcilable differences with any future Marriott properties.

PS: Always present BB or BOGO at checkin and verify they've been taken off the night before (if you're using BOGO, make sure you have a second copy as they are often misplaced). A little more work upfront, but saves this from arising as an issue the day of departure.

I have experience that the BB is not usable for Government or Corporate rates and Marriott is quite strict about that .. Only publicly available non advance purchase rates ..

BBs are easy to be found and used in the past, that saves me lots of $, but now I could not find any BB on the web.

Exchange rate when using gift cards or Marriott Cheques
 

I think it's well known that the currency exchange rates offered at hotels is pretty unfavorable. When using gift cards or Marriott Cheques overseas, is that same crummy exchange rate used? Below is a cut and paste from the gift cheques terms and conditions that suggests it is:

"Cheques will be converted into local currency value at the hotel's current exchange rate."

Thanks.

Yes - I have found to my cost. I used in the UK and there was a 30c difference between the hotel $ exchange rate and the published internet rate.... I complained there is no way a hotel should be offering these margin IMO. Don't forget also that you only receive points on the without tax rate - so calculations on return on marriott points that have occurred on here with the 135k for $1000 dollar giving you 15000 points back as a platinum are actually incorrrect. Whether you use cheques when outside the US (or where prices charged in $) needs careful thought.... caveat emptor

Hotels typically use the published BUY rate used by banks not the sell rate - there is a difference between the two

You're really asking two questions there, the exchange rate when using gift cards and the exchange rate when using Marriott Cheques.

Marriott "gift-type" cards (meaning the Gift Card, the Travel Card, and the Vacation Card) are all stored-value VISA cards, and are processed like VISA credit cards in that the hotel "swipes" them through the credit card processing system. The exchange rate is not set by the hotel; in practice it is the interbank (base) rate plus 3%.

The Marriott Cheques are a sort of arrangement between the property and Marriott; they don't go through the banking system. Most places I've been, the property treats them same as cash for exchange rate purposes, and most properties have an artificial rate for cash conversions (which, in my experience, is usually less favorable to the customer than is the published BUY rate used by banks).

However, that's not set in concrete. It's sort of like the exchange rate given on Bonus Bucks -- you may be able to influence it. The difference between cash and Marriott Cheques/Bonus Bucks is that with cash, the property has to take the thing (the actual dollar bill) to the bank which then takes their cut (fee) out in converting the value of the dollar bill into the local currency. With Cheques/BB, the transaction is internal to the Marriott system, and doesn't involve third parties taking a "fee" out. I've sometimes been able to persuade properties to give me the MARSHA conversion rate since there is no need to involve a bank. On the other hand, sometimes I've failed, and they convert the Cheques/BB as though they were cash, using the hotel's current exchange rate for cash (as they are entitled to do under the terms and conditions of the Cheque/BB). So, YMMV.

yep, but it's still worth it with the 10% discount plus miles.

I have gotten some really good exchange rates for BBs, basically the interbank rate with no extra fee. There is apparently no set rule for this and it is best to ask the hotel how they will handle it before you go.

Limited Time $100 Bonus Bucks Promo W/Breakfast!
 

There are two offers available. More Than 1,600 Marriott Hotels Offer Incredible Weekend Deals This Fall. Need to book by October 11th for one of these two deals.

Offer #1: Free Breakfast & $100 Bonus Bucks® Coupon at JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Visit www.marriott.com/freebreakfast or call 877-MARRIOTT where you can check availability with promotional code R6M.

Offer #2: 25 Percent Off Your Weekend Stay at Courtyard & Residence Inn
Starting today, book a weekend stay at participating Courtyard and Residence Inn hotels in the U.S. and Canada and you’ll receive 25 percent off your weekend stay. To learn more or book, visit www.marriott.com/Save25percent or call 877-MARRIOTT where you can check availability with promotional code NF2.

Cheers,
Greg

Good to know, but only with the first one can you use an EEO Cert! ;)

Thanks!

Is there a minimum length of stay requirement?

http://www.marriott.com/hotel/freebreakfast.mi

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
*Free Breakfast Promotional rates must be booked September 24, 2010 - October 11, 2010, for stays Thursday through Sunday occurring October 14, 2010 - January 2, 2011 at participating JW Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and Renaissance® Hotels in the continental U.S. and Canada. Guest must stay Friday or Saturday night to receive rate. Promotional rate includes free breakfast for two adults dining on the buffet or one entrée per adult off of menu; plus, one hot and one cold beverage per adult. Menu selections vary by hotel. Rate includes one $100 Bonus Bucks coupon redeemable on future 2-night weekend stay. Tax and gratuity are not included. Rates are per room, per night based on double occupancy and may vary by property, length of stay and by date. Additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Rates will not be available during special events. Not applicable to groups of 10 or more rooms and cannot be combined with any other offer, discount coupon, sale, promotion, prior purchase or purchase of a gift certificate. A stay is defined as one or more consecutive nights paying a qualifying rate that are spent in the same hotel regardless of the number of check-in or check-outs that occur.

$100 Bonus Bucks® Coupon is valid on a future consecutive two-night weekend minimum paid stay Thursday through Sunday at any participating JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and Renaissance Hotels. Friday or Saturday night stay required. Bonus Bucks coupon expires (3) months from date of issuance. One coupon issued per room, per stay upon check-in at the property and can be applied during a future two-night minimum stay toward the room rate. A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. Not applicable to groups of ten rooms or more. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer, discount coupon, sale, promotion, or prior purchase. Void where prohibited.