I use these in Europe and the USA all the time. I had several bad experiences when calling when I first started using them with agents not finding rates that I had found online and such.

I have started booking on the web and have never had a problem yet. They use the same 3 letter rate codes when you call in fact.

The certs clearly state which properties they are valid at with the $100 including full service only Ren and Marriott while the Savvy savings you will receive will only be valid at other Rens.

I write "$100 bonus buck to be applied at check-in" in the comments."

I always book online. I've used bonus bucks fairly often; a great savings.
So far, I have only had them turned down once - at the Newark Airport Marriott. The only reason why it was rejected was that I was on a government rate. I have used bonus bucks multiple times on government rates that I've booked online. I do not put any bonus bucks comments in the remarks.
You can follow the letter of the law and ensure that they are taken, or you can give it a shot to see if they take them. In your case, I'd say that it's extremely likely that they'll be accepted. If you're concerned, present them at checkin. If rejected, try back another time with a different person at the counter.

craz, save your fellow FTers some angst. Which Ren overseas had the anal accountant so that if someone wants to stay there they can book the proper :rolleyes: way. Thanks!

Cheers.

Yes, craz, where was this Renaissance?

Bump. Any further experience using BBs with prepaid rates?

I usually book the best available non prepay but have a stay coming up in Cologne where the prepay is 40 euros less per night and I have one cert with experation at end of year for 100 euros.

My apologies I didnt proff read my post and thought I posted the name.

Its The Renaissance Jerusalem, Israel. Have to be there appx 60 days a yr. The back in Oct was the 1st time ever that I was told that. Im there 4 to 5 times a year.

My last stay there was a very last min trip in Nov, wouldnt have used the PPs even if I still had some left as, they gave me 2 rooms but charged me Only for 1 for the 8 days we were there. ( This Hotel usually would NOT give 2 rooms for the price of 1, but it was NOT a reg stay for me but was under special circumstances and the Hotel went out of its way for Me both as a frequent guest of theres more so then being a Pat. But Im sure it was due to the reason I had to be there that Helped the most.

FWIW, this Hotel will probably leave the Program within 3 yrs. Thats when the present contract is up , they wanted to get out before that but Marriott told them sure just pay us what you would have over the duration of the contract and you are free to leave. So anyone who was thinking of going and using pts now is the time. BTW, I dont know why anyone does use their pts for a stay even w/o any PPs or BBs its very inexpensive and alot of Cat 3-2-1s elsewhere are alot more $$$. Its a Cat4

Where to Find: Bonus Bucks or Premium Pounds
 

I've currently got about 400,000 MR points.

Normally I stay at a category 5 hotel but get a decent corporate rate @ about $100/night already and so I think using my points for room nights (at category 5) is not a bargain for me.

I can buy the $1,000 Marriott cheque for 135,000 points which equals 135 points per $$$. This is a better deal than the $100 check at 25,000 points (250 points per $) as long as I spend $1000 per stay, which I do about once every 2-3 months.

I can't find "Bonus Bucks" or "Premium Pounds" on the Marriott website. Can these be purchased with points? If so are these a better deal than the $1000 cheque and where can I find them online?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions

A bad deal, in my opinion
 

If you pay 135,000 points for a $1,000 check/certificate, you're redeeming 135 points to get a dollar (as you point out). That means you're getting only 74/100ths of a cent per point. To me, that's not a good redemption rate.

When you're talking about large amounts of points, (as noted on other threads) you can redeem them at the rate of 1 Frequent Flyer mile per Marriott point through the "Hotel + Air" awards. Whether you figure FF miles as being worth 2.5 cents apiece or only 1.5 cents apiece that's still double to triple the 0.74 cents you get by redeeming for the check.

And if you're selective, you can (in my experience) redeem the points for nights at well over 1 cent per, and sometimes (with judicious use of PointSavers and a bit of looking) up to 2 cents to even 3 cents per.

As to obtaining Bonus Bucks or Premium Pounds for Marriott Rewards points, I do not know of any such program. BB and PP are offered as bonuses with certain room rates, and given as incentives for purchasing various things like IT equipment or on promotions such as the "Buick test drive" of a couple years ago. Also, reportedly they are sold on eBay (although the terms and conditions say they're void if sold). And, if you do a "search" on this forum, I think you may find folks who will tell you of other sources if you PM them.

One important note is that the $1000 check comes in the form of 20 $50 checks. So it's actually easier to redeem them slowly over time than all at once (because front desk has to manually type in the code from each check).

Personally, once I get about 250,000 points, I tend to act a bit less strategically with my points, as I've passed the threshold of how many points I can spend in a couple years. Your theory, and threshold, may vary.

Marriott Premium Pounds and Bonus Bucks are routinely available on Ebay.

thanks
 

Thanks for all the suggestions and PMs. I'm now checking out some of the suggestions.

The 135,000 point price on the $1000 cheque is valid thru December. Hope it doesn't disappear on 31st December and leave us only with the $100 cheque option.

I wish Marriott would offer the 20% discount on cheques (purchased with points) like they did a couple of years ago.

? about expiring Bonus Bucks coupons
 

I just received 2 bonus buck coupons today and they expire 16 Jan. 2007. Is there any way to receive a new expiration date? They aren't much use if they expire that quickly.

The hotel stay was in November and I didn't get them then.

Thanks.

If the hotel was supposed to give them to you upon checkout, you should contact them and ask for later expiration date as they dropped the ball; however, usually Marriott will not just extend the expiration date on BB/PP

If your stay was in Nov. you should have received BB with a min. of 6 month expiry date. Marriott will not extend expiry dates on BB's.

I would contact the hotel and have them exchange the BB's for a later expiry.

I called and the clerk I talked with said it is what it is. She couldn't exchange them for a later date. :(