To book, you choose an award stay which would normally deduct a certain amount of points, and the eCert takes the place of them. In every way, the process and outcome is identical. While you're correct that nothing defines them as the same, it's also true that nothing defines them as being any different.

This is identical to reports you'd expect from award stays. Book an award stay in one name and have someone not listed try to stay, and they might get rejected. It would be notable if there were reports of someone booking an award or eCert stay with someone else's name and then having that person denied for the stay (and if that happened, a simple call to Corp should resolve).

I disagree. A non-transferable asset is distinct from redemption rules. Non-transferable means you cannot sell or otherwise transfer the credit to another account. It has nothing to do with how it is redeemed.

I'm not saying it is a slam dunk; I'm saying that there's nothing that defines it as different from an award stay, and as such, you shouldn't expect any difference in application and enforcement of policy.

Reviving an old thread.

A friend of mine has one of the free night certs (Cat 1-5) from the credit card. Mr. Crispy and I are going to visit her, but want to stay at the Marriott. Can she book us a room using her cert? Does she need to get a paper certificate to do this?

She will be in town, so in theory she could show up at the hotel and check us in, which I'm thinking might be easiest. But, we're actually cobbling together several nights, using my cert, Mr. Crispy's cert, and one night of points... and hoping to tie all together without having to change rooms. This is in Paris. I'm gold; neither of them have status. Does any of that complicate matters?

Thanks!

Yes, she can book the room for you and she doesn't need a paper cert nor does she need to show up as long as the reservation is made in your name.

Yes, they may not be able/willing to guarantee that you can stay in the same room, as you're technically checking out/in to another reservation/stay when you change payment methods/redemption accounts. Contact the hotel in advance and ask if they're willing/able to do anything to block off the same room for the entirety of your visit.

As long as you're staying each night, perks should apply... just make sure the room is in your name.

Thanks, Mooper! Very helpful! I've got my name on each of our nights already, and I was planning on e-mailing or calling the hotel a few days before we go.

Actually, this is incorrect. You are not allowed to used the cert from the credit card for someone other than the named credit card holder.

In practice, I doubt many people care or ever have issues with this, but I wanted to clarify.

BostonFlyer1624 is correct on both accounts. The T&Cs for those CC free night certs clearly state they are for the person who earned them to use. But in practice you would probably have a decent chance that the hotel won't question the names or care, but they could. And if they do question it, you could end up with being required to pay rack rate or some similar very high rate for that night.

Thanks for the additional input! As it turns out, her cert is only good on Cats 1-4, while Mr. Crispy and I have certs for Cats 1-5. So, hers wouldn't work anyway, and we'll be paying for one night. I'm sure she can find a use for her cert herself.

My husband has a certificate from his credit card but no status. I am platinum and we will be together. Will we get lounge access?