The Bonus Bucks thing is starting to be a bit annoying...

I checked into a CY today using a $50 BB that I got late last year (over the Christmas holiday, I think). When they keyed it into the computer, they told me it had already been used. We had a little discussion... I told the desk clerk that I thought I got it at a certain hotel on a certain day. She promised to make some calls and try to straighten it out ^ - if not, she wouldn't be able to accept the certificate. :td:

I got a call in my room about an hour later - the situation was resolved (though she didn't tell me how).

At least with the 50's, you can use 'em at all brands except MVCI. So if you don't stay at the midscale brands, at least you have a little extra Coupon Connection fodder out of the deal. :)

Using cheque, bonus bucks, and M11 code
 

Before I call Marriott reservations, I'm interested to know if anyone has used the M11 discount code with Bonus Bucks.
I think I remember reading that to use BB you have to make a reservation by phone and tell the agent you plan to use BB. Is that true?
I also plan to use a cheque before it expires, so that would be booking online with the M11 code, showing BB and cheque at check-in.
Thank you.

In my experience, you can. Just book the M11 rate and bring the BB with you to use on your 2-night stay. Refer to this link about BB for more infomation: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477801.

That's a difference of 8%. Counsellor is right, check your card balance. The rate should have been the same as with any other card transaction.

YMMV, but in my experience, there is no problem at all. I've done it twice this weekend ^ bringing the average room rate well below $50/night - and maybe 10-12 times since September.

I believe it a Mileage May Vary type of deal. I was staying at a courtyard using bonus bucks for weeks. They were then audited by Marriott and I was told I could not longer use the bonus bucks since the rate I was paying was not a standard published rate that anyone off the street could get. The M11 rate may or may not still qualify and most Marriotts seem to apply bonus bucks regardless of negotiated rate. It may have simply been obvious that I was abusing the system.

Anyone notice the code they picked for this promotion? It XES, and most of these are tied to romance pacakges. XES backwards is SEX.

Anyone have trouble using the gift cards? I had a check-in clerk that kept running it and scanning it, and she could not get it to run. She had to wait to the next moring to call the 800 number on the card. I also noticed that in the fine print, one may not use it in conjuction with a non-commisoned rate. How bogus is that? Just about any rate but the rack rate is non commisionable.

If the gift card number does not start with a 4, the rep may need to manually type in the 4 (to indicate Visa) before swiping the card. I believe this is the case with the Vacation Cards.

Bad Exchange Rates
 

I just used a large number of Premium Pounds certificates at hotels in the Middle East and overall got really bad exchange rates. In Cairo, the official bank Sterling Pound to Egyptian Pound exchange rate is 11.3. However, the hotel's exchange rate was 10.
Even stranger anamoly in Jordan. At the Petra Marriott the Pound to the Dinar rate is 1.4, however the hotel listed it as 1.1. We then went to the Amman Marriott which is owned and operated by the same franchising company and their exchange rate was 1. I would've hated to have seen exactly what rate was used for the $.

I had a similar experience in Montreal.
Part of the problem is that the pound is not a major currency as compared to the USD and EUR.

I'm sure Mr. Brown would take issue with the idea that the British Pound is not a "major currency" even compared to the Dollar and Euro. :)

I think it would be better stated as "Sterling is not a major reserve currency".

Thanks for the comments. I will definitely check and see if there is any residual value to the cards.

Counsellor, I really think you are right in your point number 1 (the gift cards being VISA issued). When I asked the desk about this, they said they couldn't do anything about it and that they were giving me the rate the computer told them.

What is ironic is that I bought some of the gift cards with Marriott cheques to make it easier to carry and have in $100 denominations. I won't be doing that again!


Sorry to hear about the Sterling Bonus bucks in the Middle East. That really doesn't seem fair.

Annecdotally, the "fee" using the vacation card was 3.3%, based on the original card value and residual value in USD, the charge slip denominated in AUD and the current exchange rate shown on xe.com.

The charge slip shows the "4" alluded to above, indicating it is a pre-loaded VISA card.

The Sydney Harbour Marriott clerk indicated that they don't often process the cards, but it didn't seem to cause a problem. Total checkout, including settling the portfolio, took about 10 minutes.

Overall, considering the issues outlined in this thread, I extracted my pound of flesh from Marriott ;). Even with the fee, I might consider the cards again in the future, depending on the circumstances.

Pat