Wondering if it is possible with the Marriott program to use points to upgrade from a paid rate to get a suite? My wife is considering sending my father in law and I to the Marriott resort in Ponte Vedre Beach, FL on a golf weekend as a Christmas present. Problem is I snore and my father in law is a light sleeper, so it's either two rooms (expensive), or one room and possibly use points for a suite upgrade...anyone ever do this/know if it is possible, and if so, how much?

Thanks in advance for your help!

If you are paying for a room with points, you can upgrade to a suite if the option is available. Marriott charges 5,000 per night for each level you upgrade. You might need a few levels to upgrade to a suite depending on the property.

If you are paying for a room out of your pocket, you will have to pay extra cash to upgrade to a suite.

For this property, they do not offer suites for points. However, a suite costs only $50 extra per night and is much cheaper than two rooms. They also have golf packages with the suites where a round of golf is included for one or two people. Since they charge $509 for one golfer and $704 for two golfers versus $269 for just the suite, you might want to call and ask them how much a round of golf costs. The golf packages include breakfast. At $704, the suite golf package for two is $75 more than the one room with the same golf package.

Thanks for the quick feedback!

I do believe the reply is not correct on a few counts.

First, Marriott doesn't allow point upgrades unless the room is an award stay. IOW, if it is a paid stay, you must pay to guarantee an upgrade. Second, the 5K upgrades mentioned don't include suite upgrades*. Those tend to be view upgrades. Some of them may be CL floor rooms, some may be "balcony" rooms, etc. For example, you might be able to upgrade to a "pool" view or ocean view room. Some hotels may require multiple 5K upgrade certs per night for some rooms like for an "Oceanfront" room.

With this said, that doesn't mean someone might be able to get a suite room at a particular hotel. It just means that the hotel would be going above and beyond the rules should they do that for you. It is basically the same thing as with an elite upgrade. Suites are not included on those as well, but once in a while, you might get lucky and snag a suite.

*RIs and MVCI properties would be an exception as one can upgrade to a 2 or 3 bedroom suite using points.

can you hear me whistling and not paying attention to this thread?

I'm at a RI this weekend on an award and was charged an extra 5,000 / night to go from a studio to a 2 BR so I can confirm this works! I didn't ask for a 2BR but it works for me.

Now if only this brand new but cheaply built RI was built better, maybe I could sleep past 6:30 am without the pitter patter of little feets above me. I swear all newly constructed hotels without cement slabs have this problem. Always insist on the top floor.

Words of wisdom spoken to me by my parents when we started taking trips to WDW almost 30 years ago...

I'm confused by this...perhaps I don't troll this board enough to understand this comment?!!?!

Sorry

Could you explain?

I wished I had the benefit of the wisdom of your folks. I learned the hard way and I still forget.

Unless you have activities at the 5 ice rinks across the street, I would avoid the RI Boston-Marlbough like the plague. In fact, I'd avoid it anyway.

Audible foot noise from above at all times. No PLT arrival gift. Unfriendly to the hockey crowd they obviously wooed and built the place to attract. No sticks or equipment allowed in building. Wouldn't give me (a PLT) 2 hours late checkout so the boys could shower after their last game before a 5 hour car ride home. Had signs up all around the building to this effect, don't even bother asking. Did try although.

Management trained their FD folks to lie about a "large group" coming in that night, right, as if anyone in their proper mind would organize a large meeting/outing that required travel the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

After spending a 1/3 of my year in Marriott hotels (alone) and needing a bene for my family, I couldn't get one nor decent sleep.

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Actually, I think I hear you trying to not pay attention to this thread.

UGH, it's my worst fear...Flyer talk police!

So this thread has now evolved more into socrates & his imaginary whistling than the OP's original request

Hope you enjoy the golf weekend! Cheers.