Need Advice - How to Beat the Points Rules
 

Wondering if anyone can help. I have built up most all my points with Marriott. My wife however has all her points with Starwood. However, she's going to be staying at a Marriott in NYC for 2 weeks and I would like to keep the points in my account obviously rather than spread them out.

I'm aware of the Marriott points rules, but wondering if anyone has a suggestion to get around them with my final goal in mind?

Could I make the reservation, under my name, with my points #, and put 2 guests on the reservation and then just have her check in for the both of us even though I will never be there? Do they allow that?

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

There has been anecdotal evidence here that your suggestion of making the reservation yourself and adding your wife's name as a guest works some of the time.

Note that what you are wanting to do is basically against the rules. IOW, the person getting the points is supposed to be staying at the property. So while you might get lucky and get the nights/points, it is also possible that you won't get them.

Another possibility that is completely within the rules is to let her get the points for the stay. Marriott will allow spouses to combine point totals for awards. So when it comes time to order the next award, just call Marriott and have them pull the points from her account and then whatever her account can't cover, yours can. This has a couple of very nice 'extra' features. One is if she doesn't yet have any Marriott CCs, get her to apply for all three (Premier, Basic Personal, Business). That should net her a nice tidy sum of 60k bonus points plus three Cat. 1-4 award certs. That's a lot of points and award certs that in effect can be added to your total. ^

Yes it shouldn't be a problem

I did that for a friend...
 

Friend of mine wanted to make a trip to Vegas but everything was full. I used my Plat override to get him a room at the Renaissance Las Vegas. I even used the Stay1 Get 1 EEO Certificate since the room was at rack rate so it worked out really great for him.
As for me, I got the nights credit (yes 2 nights) and the points for the money he spent :D

My wife has made reservations for herself, using my MR# on 4 occasions. Each time she's been given CL privileges, and I've received nights credits 3 out of 4 times. Only on her most recent trip did they ask if I would be joining her and, given that I was not, I didn't get the night. But they still gave her CL access.

From a Marriott Employee.....
 

From the inside...

If you are staying at one of the non-full service properties, book it online as a points stay, but change the first name to your wife's. Our system only checks last names when it allows us to redeem points and post certificates. I do not know if this is the case at the Full-Service hotels as we use different computer systems.

I have two rooms on two different reservations for a night at the Ritz. I'm taking my parents with me. They'll be in one room but I'll be in the other.

Please tell me this won't be a problem. I'll be mortified if there is even the slightest hassel at the front desk.

If this mortifies you, I'd hate to see how real problems in life affect you :rolleyes:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=738404

I'm sensing a pattern here. I suggest a reality check on what's important.

If you are expecting that the RC will give you some elite perks and that you will be earning points on both rooms, you will probably be in for some problems. You can't earn Marriott points at a RC and they don't care about Marriott elite levels either.

I'm sensing a pattern here also, an upleasant and unhelpful one.

I'm NOT looking for perks but when I made the second reservation the Rep wasn't sure about it and had to put me on hold to check. Never a good sign in my book. When I made the first reservation the clerk had to put me on hold about how to redeem the points since you can't do the Ritz online.

Sorry for the exaggeration.

PS. I work in health care. I do know a little something about real problems.

Anyone know if this will work on a stay with my MOTHER (same last name) checking in to a reservation in my name and HER name? Can she get the PP perks?

"The Rep" - was it someone at the RC reservations 800# or at the hotel?

If it was the former, try calling the hotel, if the latter, call them again, ask to speak to the Rooms Manager. If they don't recognize the title, ask for the GMs office and whoever picks up should be able to connect you to the responsible party.

Put it to them as a request for assistance, tell them why - (Fpr instance: "It would be reassuring to them and to me that I'd be readily available should they require assistance.")

Just to be sure I understand your question, I am going to restate it.

You booked two rooms (at separate times) using Marriott Rewards points under your name at the Ritz, and are wondering if there will be any issues with having two rooms under the same name in the same hotel on one night?

The answer is no, there is no issues with having two rooms reserved with MR points under the same name. I've done it a few times when "treating" friends to a few nights on what are otherwise backpacking vacations. Not a concern.

As Rahmanbar stated, however, you may want to call the hotel and ensure that both rooms are reserved, just to ensure that there isn't any confusion upon check in.

Hope this helps.
Greg