Bonus Bucks - Weekend & VISA only?
 

Haven't been much of a Marriott patron (though going to have 30 some nights this year due to group functions) and wanted some insight. I stayed at the Marriott for the Freddies and used the Never-Ending getaways promotion. I was happy to see the $100 in Bonus Bucks as part of the rate. However, today I received the Bonus Bucks Coupon. Where the never-ending page didn't show a date restriction for the coupon, the actual coupon I got in the mail says that it is only good for a two night WEEKEND stay. It also says that I have to pay by VISA. Is this something new, or did they just send me something different than what I should have received. I figure this forum would have people who would give me some advice before I contact Marriott. Thanks in advance!

Bonus bucks have always been valid only on weekends, but the Visa-only restriction is something new. I suspect that you can pay the remainder of your bill however you want--the unintended benefit to us guests of Marriott front desk staff not being well-trained on these kinds of certificates is that they also don't generally enforce the more arcane restrictions.

yeah got ths same thing this past week, however the other weird thing is that it is not valid UNTIL sept 7th

Just wondering....why isn't the weekend only restriction mentioned on the website where they are offering them? The website says: "Bonus Bucks coupons can then be used toward a future, consecutive two-night paid stay at participating locations worldwide." No mention at all about weekends. And there is no search facility to lookup "bonus bucks" on the website.

Not that I'm whining....just that it seems a bit "after-the-fact" for the unsuspecting. It has made these less desirable for my intended uses; maybe coupon connection is the place to turn.

Not sure that this is always the case, but I noticed the weekend restriction in the rate rules for the particular room/rate I was booking under the promo.

......

Previous $100 Bonus Bucks certs did not come with this weekend restriction or with the Visa restriction. These new terms certainly reduce the value of the certificate.

I got a brand-new Bonus Buck certificate yesterday, expiring 12/31/07. It says nothing about weekends only. It does say that it can't be used with "Marriott prepaid cards," however, which I believe refers to those gift cards currently on sale for 10% off. These ever-changing restrictions are annoying, for sure.

Bruce

so based on what I'm reading here, there are different versions out here...

1. Visa Requirement, weekends only.. POP of 9/7>12/31/07
2. No Visa Requirement, No wkd requirement, No Pre-paid Marriott cards exp 12/31/07

any other versions

The Visa restricted Bonus Bucks are affiliated with a certain Marriott promotion with rate code V12. With this promotion, you must stay on the weekend by September 2 and pay with a Visa card. The rate includes breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children. Reservations must be made by July 31. The offer is available here.

Based on the T&C for the Never Ending getaway and the Summer Stay for Breakfast with Visa promotions, you got mailed the wrong Bonus Buck. The summer promo is being sponsored by Visa, and the Bonus Bucks associated with them are more restrictive. You should have gotten a Bonus Buck without those restrictions. I would let the hotel know about the mistake and ask them to mail you the correct Bonus Buck in return for the one you got.

I think this is going to be a problem going forward in terms of redeeming and receiving Bonus Bucks. FWIW, I plan on inspecting closely the Bonus Bucks handed out.

There seems to be a new twist to the Bonus Bucks Promo

Relax. Recharge. We have your weekend covered.

Stay on the weekend by September 2, pay with your Visa® card ... get a $100 Bonus Bucks® coupon for your next stay. Add a fresh start with Stay for Breakfast® ... eggs, yogurt, wafffles, more! Just for two, or bring the kids. But hurry, offer expires July 31.



Book now or call 1-877-Marriott and mention code V12.

Terms & Conditions
Offer valid on Weekend Benchmark and Stay for Breakfast rates only. Must book by July 31, 2007 for weekend stays May 24 through September 2, 2007 at participating JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels & Resorts in the Continental U.S. and Canada. Must stay over a Friday or Saturday night to get the promotional rate. Offer may be made available seven days a week at select locations. Stay for Breakfast rate includes breakfast for up to two adults and children age 12 and under. Offer not applicable to groups of ten or more. A limited number of rooms are available and black out dates or other restrictions may apply. Payment must be made with a valid Visa card in order to receive one Bonus Bucks coupon valid on the weekends only from September 7 through December 30, 2007 on a consecutive two-night paid stay. One coupon issued per room, per stay. Reserve promotional rate code V12 in order to receive one $100 Bonus Bucks coupon per stay. A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. Must be a registered guest to redeem Bonus Bucks coupon. Coupon will be applied to your bill at check-out. Bonus Bucks coupons are not redeemable for cash or Marriott Gift Certificates. No change or credit will be given on unused portion of the Bonus Bucks coupon. Bonus Bucks coupons are not valid on any rates that require ID or membership to receive discount including catering, group or contract rates. They are valid only on publicly listed rates through 1-877-Marriott number and Marriott.com. A Bonus Bucks coupon can be applied to accommodations, dining, spa services and/or gift shop purchases which are charged to your guestroom. To redeem your coupon you must make a reservation directly with Marriott by calling 1.877.MARRIOTT or visiting Marriott.com. Use of Bonus Bucks coupon is not combinable with other offers. See reverse side of coupon for complete Bonus Bucks terms and conditions. Void where prohibited. All Visa program terms and conditions apply. Visit Marriott.com or call 1.877.Marriott for complete offer terms and conditions. � 2007 Marriott International, Inc.

As I had mentioned earlier, there are actually 2 Bonus Buck promos. The Never Ending one has been running on the East Coast for the past few years. It is available on weekends and does not include breakfast. You get a $50 Bonus Buck for a one night stay and $100 for a 2 night stay at full service properties. The Bonus Bucks are reduced in half for limited service properties. You can pay with any credit card.

The V12 rate is a summer promotion sponsored by Visa, which includes breakfast. This promotion gives out one $100 Bonus Buck that can only be used on weekend nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), starting on September 7 through December 30. You must use a Visa for these stays, and the rate is available in Canada and the lower 48. This promotion is available only at full service properties.

On the East coast, the V12 rate is higher than the M11 rate. However, it is possible to use this rate for a one night stay and get a $100 Bonus Buck. For certain occasions, this rate may be a better deal, assuming you can use the more restricted Bonus Buck.

Well, I signed up for the Never Ending Weekend from an email I received from Marriott. Code was M11.

I notice the terms (below) state coupon is good for three months from date of issue.

The coupon I received isn't valid UNTIL 4 months AFTER I received it - Sept. 7-Dec. 31. Also it is the Weekends Only, must use Visa version.

Rates and discounts may be applied to one regular room per stay, per member, based on double occupancy on dates listed. A "hotel stay" or "stay" means all consecutive nights spent with Marriott by a registered Marriott Rewards member. Rates and discounts not available during special events. Tax is additional and rates may not be combined with any other offer or discount. Room rate does not apply to meeting rooms. Blackout dates may exist and advance reservations are required.

A limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Must be a Marriott Rewards® member to book this offer. A Friday or Saturday night stay may be required. Day of week availability may vary by hotel. A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. One Bonus Bucks® coupon issued per room, per stay. Bonus Bucks coupons are not valid on any rates that require ID or membership to receive discount including catering, group or contract rates. They are valid only on publicly listed rates through the 800 number listed below. You must be a registered guest to redeem your coupon and make a reservation directly with Marriott by calling 1-800-899-7235. A Bonus Bucks coupon can be applied to accommodations, dining, spa services and/or gift shop purchases which are charged to your guest room. Use of Bonus Bucks coupon is not combinable with any other offer. See reverse side of coupon for complete terms and conditions. Tax is additional. Bonus Bucks coupon expires three months after issuance. A $100 Bonus Bucks coupon can only be used on a future two-night paid stay at any Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott® Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance® Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide. A $50 Bonus Bucks coupon can only be used on a future two-night paid stay at any Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott® and TownePlace Suites by Marriott® locations worldwide. Other restrictions may apply.

Lili, you got the wrong coupon. FWIW, I got one last week from the Fairview Park Marriott for rate M11, and it was the correct coupon with an expiration date of January 2, 2008.