So has anyone claimed the BB that the OP isn't interested in anymore? :D I'll take first dibs if no one else already has...

I want to give three cheers for the illustrious bonus buck. If ya'll aspire to lifetime status, imagine how the judicious use of the bonus buck can help. I spend a summer acquiring a bonus buck a week by staying a night at a full service Marriott or Fairfield. From September through December - including a time when most rates drop - I'm able to apply a $100 or a $50 bonus buck to a 2 night stay. Its almost like getting two nights credit for the price of one - plus, you get the points supplied by the bonus buck. Think about it. One weekend night stay from May through August; two night stays from September through December. All this with a big discount. And, remember, Fairfield bonus bucks can be used throughout the week, not just weekends. While others continually complain how other companies are showering their customers with massive point promotions, I believe that the humble bonus buck stands to most of them. It, effectively, gives you bonus points and bonus nights. It may not be double nights or double points but the combination of what can be earned is darn good. Add 'em up. About sixty or so nights I'm earning this year will be tied in with bonus bucks. Not bad. It may not be everyone's favorite. I don't do job related stays. For me, then, this promotion fits in. At some level, though, every member could benefit from it.

I had a real system going for a while with BB's in the DC area.

Fairview Park Marriott had an $84/night weekend rate (M11) that also gave a $100 bonus buck good toward a 2-night stay. Weekend rates applied for thurs-fri-sat-sun (but you had to stay over either a Fri or Sat night to get the weekend rate). So, I'd either fly out Sat. AM (taking the weekend rate, using the bonus buck from the prior stay, and earning a new bonus buck) or I'd stay the weekend, moving to a different hotel for Sat-Sun (usually the Marriott Suites near Dulles) that had the same deal.

Net cost for the room after the first stay: $68 for 2 nights, or $34/night. And you earned points on the whole thing. I probably earned and used 20-30 certificates last fall and winter.

The CY deal wasn't as good: you got a $50 certificate for 2 nights, but paid $79/night weekend rate. Net cost on that deal was $108 for 2 nights, $54/night (note that CY offered free internet, reducing the difference to $10).

bonus bucks used at the same time as gift card???
 

can premium pounds or bonus bucks be used and the remaining balance be paid using a marriott gift card??? i am wondering as marriott is offering the 10% off $1000 gift cards right now

I just returned from an eight night convention stay yesterday at the Marriott Orlando World Center Resort that was booked at a group rate. Checked out using BB and the balance on a gift card. No problems. The desk clerk even knew how to process the gift card without asking for help.

I have done it on several occasions. The hotel processes the gift card as a Visa transaction: the use of a Bonus Buck for other charges is immaterial.

Your stay must, of course, qualify for the Bonus Buck. A gift card can be used anytime, anywhere. I've used 'em in the bar before - unrelated to a hotel stay. (Just make sure the bar really is owned by Marriott - not a separate bar/restaurant leasing space inside the hotel.)

We did have a lengthy thread here a while back regarding whether Marriott could legally deny someone the use of a valid gift card because of the rate paid or the use of other instruments. Someone started the thread after seeing some questionable legalese on their gift card. We discussed and debated whether or not a state's attorney general would rush to your defense, but at the end of the thread one thing seemed consistent: in practice, Marriott isn't denying people the ability to use their gift cards.

But they sometimes don't make it easy.

Underwhelmed by response to GC at Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel

Hmmm... Wonder if it was a simple case of the waiter not knowing how to swipe the card. Apparently, you have to put a '4' in front of the card number to make it a valid Visa card number. (Why Marriott doesn't just code the dang things with a 16-digit number to begin with, I don't know. Visa certainly produces all sorts of these types of cards for various merchants.)

I dont have the premium pounds certificate on me but i noticed it said not combindable with gift cards. when i get home tommorow i will read the exact wording and type it in here.

I realize that GCs are 'supposed' to be as usuable as cash or a Visa for most transactions at Marriotts. But tcook052's issues just don't seem to be the only ones. Go back and look over the various GC threads for the last year. There even seem to be some issues with receiving the GCs, as well as, using them.

Overall, it seems that most are getting Marriott staff to accept the GCs. It will just require some extra patience (the staff not knowing what they are and at first saying they won't take them), time (them figuring out how to use the GC, and them trying to figure out what the amount on the card is) and knowledge (telling the desk staff how to use).

So while I have purchased and used GCs in the past, I tend to stay away from them unless the "bonus" Marriott is throwing our way makes it worth the hassle of use.

I live on the BBs & PPs. I know most if not all the rules. Yet if MR was to send me the email that the OP got, I too would assume that a 2 day stay is not required.

Heck, I was finding BBs being offered at Marriotts over a weekend where it was a $100BB if I had a 2 day stay and a $50BB if it was a 1 day stay, that I would get. I never saw a $50 BB for a Mar or Ren, for the CYs , FIs etc yea but not a FS prop. And usually a $100 was given even for a 1 night stay.

So if MR goofed up , and I even know what it should have said, BUT it didnt say then I shouldnt be held accountable and MR should make good on the email that was sent. Heck maybe it was a targeted promo, how dod I know for sure.

Now would I never stay at another MR prop if MR didnt make good on it, Nope, but I sure as heck would try and get them to make good.

the certificate acctually reads in the little words on the back "this coupon cannot be used in conjunction with any other certificates, marriott prepaid cards, and cheques or reservations made using a travel agency"


im wondering if this includes the pre-paid travel cards marriott sells at a 10% discount???

In reality dosnt this card get entered like a visa card by marriott anyways so theoretically i could see it working in the system maybe???

Well I've calmed down now. I still don't like the email I received which to me was bait and switch. I already sent the $100 BB coupon to a Marriott Lifetime member who also happens to be a mod here at FT. :) I will stay at a Marriott property again, if I have to; if it's my choice, I'll stay at Hilton.

Brown-noser. :p

Bonus Bucks Coupon Expiration Dates
 

I have been able to weekend in the East recently and have been taking advantage of the "stay 2 nights get a $100 Bonus Bucks" coupon offer. The web site indicates the coupons will be good for 8 months. However, last weekend I was offered a coupon that expired on 30 Sep 07 and the weekend before I was offered a coupon expiring on 14 Jan 08. When I questioned the dates on the coupons I was told that they ordered a big batch and hadn't reordered new ones with better expiration dates. In each of the instances, the hotels offered to order newer coupons and mail them to me when received.

Of course, I am also a tad perterbed at the hotels for trying to pass off coupons with a limited shelf life. I can imagine lots of unsuspecting folks have received coupons that will turn into pumpkins soon. I haven't complained to Marriott directly about this but am seriously contemplating a call or letter. I am curious if anyone else has encountered this problem.

My irritation with this caused me to move from lurking to finally posting a thread.

GoingGal Gone