I wanted to ask the question, so I will just tag it onto this post: What are folks thoughts on the $1000 gift checks for 100K points?

First, I think the Marriott elite award special is $1000 check for 135K points. And in general, you won't get too many here who would say it is a good redemption value. Given that other options, like the Travel Package stated above, can net much more value per point that this.

That doesn't mean that no one would or should ever redeem this award, just that it isn't going to net you the best "value" per point. Given the right situation like lots and lots of points, strapped for money, want to take the wife to a great resort somewhere in the world for a very nice anniversary trip. I might be able to see someone redeeming a Travel Package and one of these check awards for some spending money (but only on items that could be charged to the room of course.)

Personally, another award that I have used quite a bit in the past are the MVCI awards. For 150K points each, a few years ago I was able to get 7 nights in a 2 bedroom suite at the Waiohai Beach Club and 7 nights in the Ko Olina Beach Club to make a really great 14 night vacation in Hawaii. If you don't need 2 bedrooms, a 1 bedroom suite costs even less. So if you like extra room and can find the availability, the MVCI awards can be a great value as well.

Very interesting. I have a question that is probably ridiculous coming from a platinum but...where does one go to find the travel package awards or the MVCI award packages? I have browsed the web site and can't seem to find them. Also, if points are being deposited into your airline accounts, don't you still have to get lucky enough to be able to use the points for a free flight. I haven't had much success when I have tried to book flights with points, even when I plan months out. Since most of the posters seem to know their stuff, I am interested in knowing how I can take advantage of the travel and MCVI awards. Thanks.

Here is the link to the page where Marriott describes the various packages available.

The miles get deposited into your FF account just like any other miles; you can use them now or whenever you choose, and the award stay (the 7-night cert you get with the travel package) does not have to be connected with the miles.

The cert can be extended a year at a time.

Travel Packages
Marriott Vacation Club Rewards

Using a Travel Package award is really no different than using a normal Standard or Stay Anytime hotel reservation, though you will want to call Marriott Rewards to attach the hotel e-cert to that reservation. So just look online for the award availability for the nights you want, then call Marriott Rewards to order the award and make the award reservation. You will have to tell them exactly which Travel Package award you want (i.e. which airline to deposit miles into and how many miles you want transferred.)

You will be best suited to look around and search through the appropriate airline forum for how best to make use of the airline miles you will now have.

You can use Marriott's online reservation tool to look for award availability at various MVCI properties, though it might take awhile. As mentioned, award availability at most MVCI properties can be hard to find. So a little patience in your looking can be very helpful. Realize that since Marriott doesn't "own" most rooms at the MVCI properties and as such they are limited in the number of suites/rooms they can offer through use of points. Some locations like Hawaii or Aruba may have little to no award room availabilty period. Other locations like Orlando may have much more availability.

Just wanted to say to the OP - Welcome to FT!!!

I agree w/ the others re: the travel package being the way to go given your points.

My 2 cents is redeem for Marriotts internationally if you're inclined to travel outside the US. There are some good properties, and given the $$ exchange rate a really good use of points.

For example, I'm going to London in a few weeks. Since the GBP is kicking the $$ butt (2-1 against us), it would cost a fortune to stay at a Cat 7 hotel in London (figure about $700-800US/night for a basic room), so using points rather than spending $3.5K or above works for me.

If you & the missus are interested in overseas destinations, short of countries (not many) where the exchange rate is in our favor I think using your points (and the airline stuff associated w/ it) is a good deal.

OVMV. Cheers.

Thank you all for the information. I think I've been wasting my points. Have a stay booked for this Spring in the VI for 6 nights at Frenchman's Reef @105,000 points plus $70 per night and booked my own air fare. I believe I could have done better with the travel packages. I'm glad I found Flyertalk!

I also will be going to London in two months. I am staying at the REN Chancery Court, a category 7 that has a room rate @500$. That only cost me 150K points. But, I got a travel package for 270K points even though I purchased my airfare. Why? Because I could convert 120K MR points for airline points on a 1 for 1 basis. Normally, you get 50K in airline miles for 125K in MR points. Lesson: If you have the points built up, ALWAYS do a travel package whether you use it all or not. There is NO requirement to use the miles for the same trip. The reverse is also true; you could buy a travel package to get miles for use on a trip A and book a future 7 night stay in a location for trip B.

Could I redeem a 270K award and put the miles in my son's airline account?

My understanding is that the name on the FF account has to match the name on the Marriott account where the points are coming from. If my understanding is correct, then the answer is no. What you could do though is order the award, get the points yourself and then use the points from your account for an award with your son's name.

[Edited to add]
Found this post by Chris: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...9&postcount=24

I used to think that cashing in for the pkg was the way to go.

Using the above ex of The Renaissance in London and with the almighty U$D so weakened. I would rather cash in for 7 nights @ 150k x 2, even if I wasnt awash in miles like I am. Its alot easier finding cheap fares to Europe then it is cheap Hotel rates for a 4* or 5* Hotel.

So that would be 14 nights @ $500 per night will way out weigh whatever the air fare maybe. Or I can do 1 week say in London and the 2nd in Paris

I absolutely agree with craz, that using marriott pts for airfare is not the best deal, its just one pt = one mile, no bonus (like getting 7 30k nts for 150k). Plus, airline miles are so easy to get just by applying for CC. For example, get a usair master and a usair visa and you have 50000 miles, more than enough for a trip to HI (35K)or enough for Europe (50K). I like the european sampler 14eh, for 150000 pts you get a 3nt, and two 2 nts cat 7 cert for europe.

Going Gal - Welcome...I found this site years ago - (dont remember how) and I am always learning new stuff....

You are not considering the fact that Marriott points are upto 18 per $ spent at Marriott hotels and 2 per $ in some cases. You need to spend no more than $15k at FS Marriott's to get the 7 nights and 120,000 miles ^ I dont beleive this is beatable elsewhere. However, if you are not staying at Marriott - then other options are much better.

jamflyer, How did you arrive at that 18 points/$ figure?