I go downstairs at the CY in downtown Louisville this morning to check out after a three night stay for the Kentucky Derby. I attempted to use a couple of $100 gift cards I had to lower the charge on my cc. I was denied because they say it was one of there two "allowed blackouts" a year for BB, PP, gift cheques, and gift cards. I understand the BB or PP since it is Derby weekend but can they legally stop me from using gift cards on the room? Seems ridiculous to me that I cannot use "Marriott currency" at a Marriott property.

I complained but they didn't budge so I put the charges on my cc and will send Marriott a note but first I wanted to hear from my fellow FT friends.

I agree , I can understand no Codes or Discounts be allowed, or even Plat Override. But the Gift Card is a Visa whats the difference if you gave them a Chase Visa or a GC(Marriott) Visa.

That said , if for some reason a Hotel losses x% when they accept a GC that is more then they would pay on a reg Visa, then I can understand it. So if MR takes say a 10% cut off the amount that is deducted from your GC, then I understand the CY not accepting them, But they should hav ehad some Notice as such made available to everyone who booked there way before Arrival at the Hotel of their Policy.

I was told (dont know if True or Not) that a Hotel doesnt get 100% on the Marriott Cheques. BBs or PPswas told is like 15% deducted from their face value. So maybe they also dont get 100% with the GCs either.

I am sure they probably don't get 100% too. If that is the case I would have understood if they had told me that they were not accepting last year when I booked the room instead of the morning I am checking out.

Very strange...sounds like too many mint juleps (sp?) had by the clerk.

The contract for receptions held at the national chain, Maggianos restaurant, specifically state that payment with Maggianos gift certificates could not exceed $1000. I thought that was odd, too.

IMO, if you paid an equivalent amount of cash for the card, it should be treated the same as cash.

Oh CHRIS! Interesting we are having this discussion again. I think these hotels need to be warned, if they start playing with gift cards, they will get burned with the Attorney Generals Office.

I'd be calling Marriott on both the PP and the Gift Card. I'm reading the back of a PP right now, and there is nothing there about blackouts. In fact, on a night when the hotel is sold out because of high demand (as that Louisville one was) is exactly when I'd expect to use a PP. That's a stay where the common promotional/non-public codes aren't available - everybody there is paying rack or close to it.

The PP battle may be subject to Marriott's interpretation of the last rule on the certificate: "Participating hotels may change." That rule is in conflict with the use of the word "any" on the front of the certificate in front of the listed brands that participate (depending on whether you have a 50 or a 100). But the Gift Card is unambiguous: there will be a Kentucky law that covers that one way or the other.

Simply outrageous.

On a simpler, fundamental level, I'm flabbergasted that this kind of thing is even happening at a Marriott. Then again, last night I pulled into the wrong downtown Toronto Marriott (there are two on Yonge Street, a few blocks apart). They charged me a $3.50 parking fee and absolutely refused to waive it. I was there 10 minutes - that's how long it took the front desk to figure out I was in the other building. I'm starting to really wonder why Marriott is choosing to go down this path.

Ok, yeah, you got me: CN$3.50 in revenue and no real grounds for me to argue. But piece by piece, it starts to change my perception of the brand. (In fairness, the other Marriott desk clerk at the 2nd property said "Yeah, we get that all the time - people go to the wrong one. We waive the parking charge here.")

what is the expiration date on Yours. As I believe there are a few different 1s out there and I think its those with Nov '08 Exs that have the latest Updated T&Cs about Not being able to combine with....

September. I know the November ones have the Gift Card language - I was reading all the fine print looking for blackout language. There is none on the September certs.

I would definitely file a complaint with the BBB, FTC, and the Kentucky AG's office. Since all three require the same info, it is a simple cut and paste to complete. You should be able to file these complaints on-line. You could Google for the web sites of each. It is really a simple and painless process.

I don't feel that we should have to do this, but then, maybe, this is the only way that we can get Marriott to start adhering to their own T &C's. This has nothing to do with MR, but rather a financial contract between the consumer and Marriott.

Believe me, the complaint from these agency's WILL get the attention of proper people at the hotel, and maybe Mariott HQ.
If this is to happen to me, the complaints would be lodged before I left the parking lot.

I'd probably call Marriott HQ and give them a chance to make it right before I called the AG. Yes, I know we are all getting really sick of these loose cannon properties making up their own rules, but your odds of quickly getting a resolution in your favor without a lot of hassle/paperwork are greater if you talk to someone at Marriott.

I have emailed Chris even though this is a little outside his area. I will wait to hear back from him before I contact anyone else at Marriott. Thanks for everyone's feedback, it appears everyone agrees with my thoughts.

See this thread for similar. Non-resort Marriott in California unilaterally decides to exclude itself from EEO's. Marriott customer service doesn't help.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=589797&page=2