Yes.

Thanks for that, one more question though, will they automatically recognise my status or will I have to flash the Gold Card around?

You should add your Marriott number to the reservation so you can get points for incidentals at FS properties.

Tried to but received an error, I emailed Marriott and they said that because it was booked at a wholesaler eg Priceline, Hotwire Expedia & Orbitz then the booking could not be added to my Marriott Account. It was at this point that I wondered if I had made a mistake!!

I use to be in one of the big consulting companies, but about two years ago went out on my own.

I have been using Priceline since the start and typically stay around 200 nights / year (3-4 nts per week). It's saves me around $100 / night over the rate I could get otherwise and since I can't pass my expenses to the client, that's money in my pocket.

When good promotions comes up, I will sometimes shell out for a qualifying rate, but otherwise the savings on PL are tremendous. I pay about the same as a cheap apartment, but get the benefits of staying in a hotel (maid service, internet, HDTV...).

I think I will drop to Marriott nothing this year since I typically use Hyatt and SPG.

I've stayed at Marriott group properties on Priceline rates before and have never had a problem having my MR account associated with the reservation. If all else fails, flash the Gold at checkin and you should be ok.

Just do not expect elite tier treatment using PL or other 3rd party sites.
It MIGHT happen-just do not get mad if it does not.

That said-I get mad when I see PL folks getting better rooms than I do when paying rates found on Marriott.com and being an MR elitebecause the front desk(you know what)Is in a good mood/likes them/gets a bribe/whatever.
If I discover this it's letter writing time :D
There should be bennies for loyalty is all I am saying with the above.

Just to add that I was Silver when I stayed at Marriotts on Priceline rates so no Elite benefits for me anyway. I always got points for incidentals though.

One of the things I like about Hyatt is that they provide the same elite treatment no matter what the rate or booking source. You are in fact the same person even if you sometimes book a cheap wholesale rate.

My experience with Marriott is a bit different, often not getting elite treatment (when I was gold last year) on PL rates. I think Marriott's policy and lack of consistency is a bit shortsighted.

Who do you think is more likely to get my loyalty when paying full/regular rates?

Marriotts are supposed to be the same way. While I have not used PL a lot, the few times I have I was able to get my MR# added to the reservation and received all normal elite benefits.

Just call reservations and they will usually add your MR number to the PL reservation.

The Marriott's that I won recently did recognize my gold status but YMMV since it's a PL reservation

Thank you!!! Just rung reservations and both bookings are now linked to account!!

There is just no way that going with standard prices and rewards points is cheaper than PL barring very high traffic periods where there aren't any PL rooms available. Even being very generous with the value of points there is no way to make up the 40%,50%+ discounts of PL. Take the money saved and get your breakfast out.

I use priceline all the time & also use $100 BB, w/no problems. Only once 3 years ago in Aruba, they would not take the bucks, 3 rooms, 6 nights, because it was booked through a "3rd party website". Actually it was booked on the Marriot vacations site, but obviously that brings up an outside travel agency, some last minute deal I found. The price was unbeatable for us, but the $300 would have been great to use on food & other items charged to the rooms. I am always aware that they do not have to take the bucks. I even use them when booking the gov rate.

Thanks for all the help that I received here!!! Both our Priceline bookings were added to our Marriott rewards account and on both occasions we were upgraded to the executive floor. We had a wonderful stay both times so thanks everyone!!!