I'm interested in redeeming an Alaska cruise award for Summer 2008. Problem is I only have 210,000 points, and I need 315,000 (or something like that). Assuming I don't coordinate any meetings this year, I'll likely earn only 20,000 points this year (including using my MR Visa).

Since I have oodles of miles/points in other programs, I was wondering if there was a way to effectively trade Marriott on Coupon Connection. I know how to post there, but I don't know what kind of a trade can actually get me where I want to go. I suppose I could offer a 200,000 MR reward plus a bunch of airline miles in exchange for a 315,000 MR reward. Does anyone else have any ideas? Seems like the MR website said something about converting Diners Club points. Would that be a possibility? I don't have a Diners Club card, but perhaps could trade to have their points transferred???

I appreciate any ideas.

You could buy the points from Marriott, $1050.
I also read that Marriott allows (unofficialy) combining points across accounts ...

I do believe that "officially" spouces can combine Marriott points for awards. "Unofficially" it seems that they are allowing most anybody to combine awards. At least that seems to be the experiences shared here.

So I guess it might be theoretically possible to use CC and get somebody to "combine" the 100K or so points you would need. But I would say, that right now, you might be better off just paying for the cruise and waiting until a later date to use your points (unless your wife has the needed points.)