Rewards Question
 

I am staying at a Renaissance Hotel in Switzerland next month on business and noticed that one of my credit card benefits is a free room upgrade and a $25 voucher in a hotel restaurant. My question is can I exchange the upgrade and voucher for something else, maybe reward points, or should I accept the benefits and be a happy camper? :)

Thanks

Welcome to FT, xxrice. Your offer sounds like the one available for Visa Signature customers at Renaissance hotels. However, this offer is only available at properties in the United States and Canada as shown here.

Thanks VA1379, I should have read-on further.

But your question is still a good one to answer. :)

In general, if a "special" reservation code is used that has extra benefits, normally you will only get just those. It might be possible in certain instances though where a hotel could be convenced to switch/change a "benefit" for something else. In your example you mention receiving extra rewards points instead of a room upgrade. In most cases, you probably won't be able to get them to make that type of a switch. The reason is that for the hotel to give you more points, they actually would need to buy them at a cost where the room upgrade isn't really a direct cost to them (the room is already there and usable.)

So if you want to barter with a hotel on alternative benefits, you probably will have better luck if you are trying to switch from something that is a cost to them into something that they don't.