Best use of Marriott Points
Jan 25, 2008 | 8:04 am
#31
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
10 points/$ spent at most Marriott Brand hotels
3 points/$ Plat elite bonus points
5 points/$ Premier Visa CC bonus for spending at Marriotts
3 points/$ Plat elite bonus points
5 points/$ Premier Visa CC bonus for spending at Marriotts
Jan 25, 2008 | 9:49 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: saint augustine, FL USA
Posts: 465
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.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:24 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NOVA
Programs: AA LT GLD, UA SLV, MR LT PLT PRM, HH DIA, IHG PLT, SW CP, MVCI CHM LVL, HERTZ PC, National EE
Posts: 151
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.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:37 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: saint augustine, FL USA
Posts: 465
My point is you can get enough miles to fly for free, just by applying for CC's and then use the marriott pts. you've accumulated for your stay.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:41 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier, AAdvantage Platinum (1MM Lifetime Gold), Avis First
Posts: 524
Travel Packages - spend 250K points and got 2 FC tixs, and 7 days in the Cancun JW.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:47 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Somewhere between Singapore and the US
Programs: Qantas Platinum, SQ Krisflyer PPS, UA 1p, Marriot Lifetime Platinum, American EXP
Posts: 989
Great Thread real eye opener for me
Thanks for starting this thread. It seems that I have been good at earning points all these years. But not so good at redeeming them no complaints really, I just did not take advantage of what was available.
So here is my question: If I book award 091 which is a 7 day cat 7 hotel plus 120k air miles. I get 120k miles placed into my FF account on record. Is my understanding correct? I will also need to make sure that I am using the FF account I want the miles in at that time.
So here is my question: If I book award 091 which is a 7 day cat 7 hotel plus 120k air miles. I get 120k miles placed into my FF account on record. Is my understanding correct? I will also need to make sure that I am using the FF account I want the miles in at that time.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:51 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: AZ
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Plat, HH Gold, A3 *G, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,217
Very curious how you got all of this for only 120k.
Jan 25, 2008 | 10:53 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: AZ
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Plat, HH Gold, A3 *G, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,217
That is correct, however, one thing that no one has mentioned yet is for this 091 award you'll need to find Standard Award Availability at the Cat 7 Marriott, no easy task sometimes.
Jan 25, 2008 | 11:59 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier, AAdvantage Platinum (1MM Lifetime Gold), Avis First
Posts: 524
120 was on AA
You need to plan your vacations more than 6 months out, this will help you secure the property you need.
You need to plan your vacations more than 6 months out, this will help you secure the property you need.
Jan 25, 2008 | 12:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NOVA
Programs: AA LT GLD, UA SLV, MR LT PLT PRM, HH DIA, IHG PLT, SW CP, MVCI CHM LVL, HERTZ PC, National EE
Posts: 151
Whoops!! I meant to put an "or" in there. 
Wow, that really would have been a good deal. No wonder I'm getting all those private messages .....
Wow, that really would have been a good deal. No wonder I'm getting all those private messages .....
Jan 25, 2008 | 12:02 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Somewhere between Singapore and the US
Programs: Qantas Platinum, SQ Krisflyer PPS, UA 1p, Marriot Lifetime Platinum, American EXP
Posts: 989
One issue at a time
You are correct booking could be hard but I have not been taking best advantage of my points all these years.
Jan 25, 2008 | 12:03 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NOVA
Programs: AA LT GLD, UA SLV, MR LT PLT PRM, HH DIA, IHG PLT, SW CP, MVCI CHM LVL, HERTZ PC, National EE
Posts: 151
Deleted.
Last edited by o2bonn; Jan 25, 2008 at 12:06 pm Reason: Deleted
Jan 25, 2008 | 12:03 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NOVA
Programs: AA LT GLD, UA SLV, MR LT PLT PRM, HH DIA, IHG PLT, SW CP, MVCI CHM LVL, HERTZ PC, National EE
Posts: 151
Jan 25, 2008 | 3:38 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 179
I guess for me, since I have half a million + FF miles, and only 400,000 Marriott points, I can get the same 115,000 point, cat 5, 7 night e-cert either without miles, or simply add 80k, 100k, or 120k MR points to get the miles. I fly enough that miles are the least of my worries. I usually find myself needing the hotel points, which is why I switched my primary Visa from United to Marriott. I'm not sure if it's the most bang for the buck, but it seems to work for me.
For those who don't fly every week, I could easily see the travel packages as the best way to go.
For those who don't fly every week, I could easily see the travel packages as the best way to go.
Mar 2, 2008 | 7:53 am
#45
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAMM & PLT; UA Gold, DL Silver, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 1,592
I just booked the Marriott Marbella Spain Vacation Club for 7 nights using 170k points for a 3 BR Villa (8/24-8/31). I tried pricing it out on Marriott's site for a comparison, but came up with no availability
With a family of 5, obviously I wont be flying FC and a single hotel room will not work.