Any way to modify [to a higher cat and 'pay the difference'] cert?
Oct 23, 2017, 8:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: United Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 378
Any way to modify [to a higher cat and 'pay the difference'] cert?
I get a couple of cat 1-4 SPG free night certificates through my Amex cards every year. Most of the SPG properties I stay at are cat 5+, however. Has anyone had any luck using points or cash to somehow "pay the difference" on these certs to be used at higher category properties?
Oct 24, 2017, 3:36 am
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I get a couple of cat 1-4 SPG free night certificates through my Amex cards every year. Most of the SPG properties I stay at are cat 5+, however. Has anyone had any luck using points or cash to somehow "pay the difference" on these certs to be used at higher category properties?
Oct 24, 2017, 10:24 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I get a couple of cat 1-4 SPG free night certificates through my Amex cards every year. Most of the SPG properties I stay at are cat 5+, however. Has anyone had any luck using points or cash to somehow "pay the difference" on these certs to be used at higher category properties?
Oct 25, 2017, 9:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
We get 2 of these amongst the family from spend on two cards. I find them more and more useless every year due to inflation.
I have never asked, but I notice when you redeem them, that it results in a 10,000 starpoints award credit being actioned against your account with no points withdrawn. I wonder if there is opportunity to pay the difference?
If there is; please let us know!!
I have never asked, but I notice when you redeem them, that it results in a 10,000 starpoints award credit being actioned against your account with no points withdrawn. I wonder if there is opportunity to pay the difference?
If there is; please let us know!!
Oct 26, 2017, 11:10 am
#6
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
As far as upgrading the room type at a Category 1 - 4 hotel, perhaps at check-in at the hotel in question, but not before.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Oct 26, 2017 at 11:15 am
Dec 11, 2017, 3:53 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Free night voucher for cat 1-5. Can you book a 6+ category and pay the difference?
I've earned a free night voucher thanks to a "personalised" promo that was offered to me a few months ago. Here is a link with the T&Cs
I was wondering if it could also be used to book a higher category property by paying a difference in cash or points. I doubt it, but I thought I'd double check.
I was wondering if it could also be used to book a higher category property by paying a difference in cash or points. I doubt it, but I thought I'd double check.
Dec 11, 2017, 5:27 am
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
I've earned a free night voucher thanks to a "personalised" promo that was offered to me a few months ago. Here is a link with the T&Cs
I was wondering if it could also be used to book a higher category property by paying a difference in cash or points. I doubt it, but I thought I'd double check.
I was wondering if it could also be used to book a higher category property by paying a difference in cash or points. I doubt it, but I thought I'd double check.
Dec 11, 2017, 7:59 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
Jan 11, 2019, 2:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SEA
Posts: 311
Adding points to award certificates - does Marriott allow?
Between me and the wife - we have several award nights due to cc anniversaries. Most of the Amex ones are capped at 35K per night, so cat 5 properties. The one from Chase RC card is capped at 50K per nights. Can we add extra Marriott points to these certificates to make them usable on higher category properties? We have a modest balance of Marriott/SPG points - and wondering if adding points are allowed.
Example: The Amex cat 5 nights - there are 4 of them, so if we want to use for 4 nights on property with 50K per night requirement, can we add 60K (4x15K) to make it work? Or is that not even allowed?
Thk you in advance.
Example: The Amex cat 5 nights - there are 4 of them, so if we want to use for 4 nights on property with 50K per night requirement, can we add 60K (4x15K) to make it work? Or is that not even allowed?
Thk you in advance.
Jan 13, 2019, 12:04 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,469
This is the third time this topic has shown up this week, although the threads get merged so I suppose it's harder to search for.
You cannot add points to increase the value. You need to find a Cat4 or lower hotel.
You cannot add points to increase the value. You need to find a Cat4 or lower hotel.
