Need Advice - How to Beat the Points Rules
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1
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.
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.
#2
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
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. ^
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. ^
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
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.
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.
#4


Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 922
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
As for me, I got the nights credit (yes 2 nights) and the points for the money he spent
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LAX/El Segundo, CA
Programs: UA/AA/SW/MR Gold/Hyatt/HH
Posts: 223
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.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Marriott Silver
Posts: 4
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.
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.
#7


Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 123
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.
Please tell me this won't be a problem. I'll be mortified if there is even the slightest hassel at the front desk.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,670
I'm sensing a pattern here. I suggest a reality check on what's important.
#10
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
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.
Please tell me this won't be a problem. I'll be mortified if there is even the slightest hassel at the front desk.
#11


Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 123
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=738404
I'm sensing a pattern here. I suggest a reality check on what's important.
I'm sensing a pattern here. I suggest a reality check on what's important.
Last edited by Marykatesmom; Sep 26, 2007 at 8:51 am Reason: spelling
#12


Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 123
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.
#14


Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,437
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?
#15
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 915
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.
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.")

