Sep 4, 2018, 3:50 pm
Last edit by: Counsellor
LINK TO CHART
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2018)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
When converting your legacy certificate to a new certificate your prior certificate is cancelled and your new certificate will (in most cases) have an expiration date that is 12 months from the date of issuance (today).
The codes for the New Category partial packages are:
5-night packages
NCx = new certificate category
QPxx = post-merger converted partial package
OCx = old certificate category
QLxx = post-merger converted partial package (only QL known so far is QL87 for NC7)
xx0T = initial package;
Pxx0 = partial package;
************************************************** *******
MARRIOT UK: +44 20 7012 7312
For best practices on converting OC to NC, I’ve copied post # 1181 here. Thank you jameswes!
(Also, never use the word UPGRADE. You must say you want to CONVERT your certs.)
IMPORTANT! Possible Points Advance Implications of March 5 category changes: There’s a (potential) issue with the category changes and Points Advance reservations. Marriott included the following information when they emailed some of us about the upcoming changes: “Points Advance — Members who wish to book a points advance redemption under the current Marriott Rewards and SPG award chart are encouraged to order redemption certificates before March 5 to lock in the rate. On March 5, redemption bookings are subject to the new unified program award chart.” We’ve reached out to Marriott to confirm the practical implications of this verbiage, as it sounds like Points Advance reservations will revert to the new pricing if they don’t have certificates attached prior to March 5. To be on the safe side, if your hotel is increasing in category be sure your TP certificate is attached to the reservation before March 5.
Concerning use of TP for peak or off-peak, see post 2179:
Legacy to New Travel Package Conversion (effective August 2018)
A Marriott supervisor can currently convert your legacy travel package into the new category mapping. If you hold a Category 6, 8, or Tier 1-3 legacy certificate, it's ideal to downgrade your certificate before converting so that points don't potentially get lost in the process.
When converting your legacy certificate to a new certificate your prior certificate is cancelled and your new certificate will (in most cases) have an expiration date that is 12 months from the date of issuance (today).
The codes for the New Category partial packages are:
5-night packages
- OC5=530T/P530 is now NC4 QP53
- OC6=570T/P570 is now NC4 QP53
- OC7=610T/P610 is now NC5 QP61 (refund value: 45K)
- OC8=650T/P650 is now NC5 QP?? (Refund value: 75k)
- OC9=690T/P690 is now NC6 QP69
- NC4 QP83 = OC5 830T/P830 (refund value: 45K)
- NC4 QP87 = OC6 870T/P870 (refund value: 75K)
- NC5 QP91 = OC7 910T/P910 (refund value: 105K)
- NC5 QP95 = OC8 950T/P950 (refund value: 135K)
- NC6 QP99 = OC9 990T/P990 (refund value: 165K)
- NC6 QP99 = OC Tier 1-3 L830 (refund value: 195K)
- NC7 QL87 = OC Tier 4-5 L870 (refund value: 315K)
- NC5 QP88 = OC7 P880 (refund value: 135K)
- NC5 QP92 = OC8 P920 (refund value: 165K)
NCx = new certificate category
QPxx = post-merger converted partial package
OCx = old certificate category
QLxx = post-merger converted partial package (only QL known so far is QL87 for NC7)
xx0T = initial package;
Pxx0 = partial package;
************************************************** *******
MARRIOT UK: +44 20 7012 7312
For best practices on converting OC to NC, I’ve copied post # 1181 here. Thank you jameswes!
(Also, never use the word UPGRADE. You must say you want to CONVERT your certs.)
New data point for the new year.
I've read/followed the majority of this thread and now that I have a plan for how to use the travel certificates I made it happen
Last July, I purchased two OC1-5 travel packages. I have an upcoming trip that I wanted to use the certificates to book two rooms at an NC5 hotel.
1) Verified that I had an extra 120,000 MR points in my account (2x60,000 to upgrade from NC4 to NC5)
2) Call the UK Marriott # in the wiki (+44 20 7012 7312). In total, the call took about 25 minutes.
3) Explain that I have a booking I wanted to make, and I wanted to Cancel my two 830T certificates and convert them to two QP91 certificates. I did need to be clear with the rep that I was going to be using additional points from my account to upgrade the certificate.
Canceling two 830T (OC1-5) added 90,000 points (2x45000) to my account
Ordering two QP91 (NC5) subtracted 210,000 points (2x105K) from my account
4) The rep said that their "specialist" wasn't in the office, but she would leave detailed notes and have him do it the next day
5) True to form, the next day (today), I got an emails saying that my old certificates were canceled and new certificates were ordered.
Email clearly states that 830T certs were canceled
Second email clearly states that QP91 certs were ordered and 210K points were redeemed
Email (and account) state that the expiration is one year from today
As typical, App is up-to-date, website doesn't show the updated information yet.
I've read/followed the majority of this thread and now that I have a plan for how to use the travel certificates I made it happen
Last July, I purchased two OC1-5 travel packages. I have an upcoming trip that I wanted to use the certificates to book two rooms at an NC5 hotel.
1) Verified that I had an extra 120,000 MR points in my account (2x60,000 to upgrade from NC4 to NC5)
2) Call the UK Marriott # in the wiki (+44 20 7012 7312). In total, the call took about 25 minutes.
3) Explain that I have a booking I wanted to make, and I wanted to Cancel my two 830T certificates and convert them to two QP91 certificates. I did need to be clear with the rep that I was going to be using additional points from my account to upgrade the certificate.
Canceling two 830T (OC1-5) added 90,000 points (2x45000) to my account
Ordering two QP91 (NC5) subtracted 210,000 points (2x105K) from my account
4) The rep said that their "specialist" wasn't in the office, but she would leave detailed notes and have him do it the next day
5) True to form, the next day (today), I got an emails saying that my old certificates were canceled and new certificates were ordered.
Email clearly states that 830T certs were canceled
Second email clearly states that QP91 certs were ordered and 210K points were redeemed
Email (and account) state that the expiration is one year from today
As typical, App is up-to-date, website doesn't show the updated information yet.
Concerning use of TP for peak or off-peak, see post 2179:
The new award redemption chart will not impact Travel Packages. After these changes go into effect, you'll be able to book a hotel within the category assigned to your Travel Package, regardless of whether the dates at the hotel are in off-peak, standard or peak rates.
Travel Package General Discussion Thread
Sep 10, 2018, 3:08 pm
#106
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 639
Hi,
Bit of a basic question: How do you exactly make a hotel booking with a Travel Package? Do you actually have to make a cash booking online first, and then call to attach the certificate? Apologies if this has been answered before but I am new to Marriott / SPG and I am still trying to get my head around TPs.
Bit of a basic question: How do you exactly make a hotel booking with a Travel Package? Do you actually have to make a cash booking online first, and then call to attach the certificate? Apologies if this has been answered before but I am new to Marriott / SPG and I am still trying to get my head around TPs.
Sep 10, 2018, 3:13 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,754
Hi,
Bit of a basic question: How do you exactly make a hotel booking with a Travel Package? Do you actually have to make a cash booking online first, and then call to attach the certificate? Apologies if this has been answered before but I am new to Marriott / SPG and I am still trying to get my head around TPs.
Bit of a basic question: How do you exactly make a hotel booking with a Travel Package? Do you actually have to make a cash booking online first, and then call to attach the certificate? Apologies if this has been answered before but I am new to Marriott / SPG and I am still trying to get my head around TPs.
Or you can have the agent to make the booking at the time you call. This worked in the past but given the confusion, you would be better off to just make a Reward reservation online first. Marriott allows Point Advance booking for up to 14 days before arrival. Only work on Marriott properties as of now.
Sep 10, 2018, 4:51 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I have a Old Tier 4-5 cert and it is attached to a reservation. I dont intend to use the reservation. If I cancel this travel certificate as per the old rules, you are supposed to get 315K marriott points. Can someone confirm if they have done this and if it is possible to do so. I feel Marriott has not communicated these details explicitly and correctly.
It's a shame they screwed the Tier 4-5 holders over by only making these eligible for Category 7 properties. Between the delay in being able to apply these to SPG properties and the risk that I might need to adjust my stay dates after January when the properties I'm looking at will all be Category 8, it just made 0 sense for me to keep the certificate vs. the 315K points.
Sep 10, 2018, 4:58 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 6
Guys, you might be able to upgrade your certificates, bu you need to find a good agent to do it and GUIDE THEM.
What worked for me is:
What worked for me is:
- "Hi, are you able to see my list of certificates ?" if agent says Yes, proceed to next step;
- "You see that I have a P910 right ?" if agent says Yes, proceed to next step;
- "I would like to convert my certificate to one of the post-merger certificates, can you cancel the P910 cert and reorder the QPxx certificate ?" Now hope that the agent will feel confident enough to follow your guidance.
Sep 10, 2018, 6:02 pm
#110
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,411
Just to be sure, are you saying that you were able to convert from an OC6 to a NC5 for net cost of 30,000? I don't think we've seen anything previously to suggest that this is possible. Can you provide any insight into how you did this (besides using the codes above)? Thanks so much. This is exactly what I want to do with mine.
Sep 10, 2018, 6:30 pm
#111
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 6
Just to be sure, are you saying that you were able to convert from an OC6 to a NC5 for net cost of 30,000? I don't think we've seen anything previously to suggest that this is possible. Can you provide any insight into how you did this (besides using the codes above)? Thanks so much. This is exactly what I want to do with mine.
Also, FYI, the new certificate had an expiration date exactly one year from today.
Sep 10, 2018, 8:18 pm
#112
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 700
Yes you can do this and the 315K points were credited back immediately. The call took roughly 25 minutes and the first agent I spoke to had to get a supervisor involved because she wasn't familiar with the cancellation process.
It's a shame they screwed the Tier 4-5 holders over by only making these eligible for Category 7 properties. Between the delay in being able to apply these to SPG properties and the risk that I might need to adjust my stay dates after January when the properties I'm looking at will all be Category 8, it just made 0 sense for me to keep the certificate vs. the 315K points.
It's a shame they screwed the Tier 4-5 holders over by only making these eligible for Category 7 properties. Between the delay in being able to apply these to SPG properties and the risk that I might need to adjust my stay dates after January when the properties I'm looking at will all be Category 8, it just made 0 sense for me to keep the certificate vs. the 315K points.
If so, then why not wait until sometime between now and then? AND IF you cannot find something in this time period that will turn to cat 8, then redeem and/or wait until 2019 to book a Cat 7 hotel that suits? And/or if you don't like cat 7 available, or cant figure out what do, then credit back the 315k points before expiration?
Sep 10, 2018, 10:08 pm
#113
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
But I think the question is - can one book these Cat 8s (7s until Jan) between now and Jan?
If so, then why not wait until sometime between now and then? AND IF you cannot find something in this time period that will turn to cat 8, then redeem and/or wait until 2019 to book a Cat 7 hotel that suits? And/or if you don't like cat 7 available, or cant figure out what do, then credit back the 315k points before expiration?
If so, then why not wait until sometime between now and then? AND IF you cannot find something in this time period that will turn to cat 8, then redeem and/or wait until 2019 to book a Cat 7 hotel that suits? And/or if you don't like cat 7 available, or cant figure out what do, then credit back the 315k points before expiration?
Sep 10, 2018, 10:41 pm
#114
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,026
Has anyone managed to upgrade legacy 1-5 packages to current packages?
If so does this extend the expiry date
If so does this extend the expiry date
Sep 10, 2018, 11:11 pm
#115
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, Hilton, Chase
Posts: 15
Sep 10, 2018, 11:14 pm
#116
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,000
Bought 3 travel pkgs in last year & still confused :-(
Can anyone correct my understanding? -
In order to redeem our current travel packages, we need Marriott to convert these certificates to new certificates with a different code.
But not all Marriott agents are trained to convert our certificates into a usable form. I've personally experienced Marriott "supervisors" hang up on me if they get stumped by my question.
So why are people spending hours on the phone to get their certs converted/renewed? Is it because you guys need to use the certs immediately?
- If we don't do anything, will the certs get converted?
- When the certs get converted, does the expiration reset for 1 year?
- Didn't Marriott state that we had 1 year to convert our Cat 6,8, etc certs and get a 30k refund? Don't we still have this option?
I hate thinking of myself as anyone's b**** but Marriott totally screwed me over this time.
In order to redeem our current travel packages, we need Marriott to convert these certificates to new certificates with a different code.
But not all Marriott agents are trained to convert our certificates into a usable form. I've personally experienced Marriott "supervisors" hang up on me if they get stumped by my question.
So why are people spending hours on the phone to get their certs converted/renewed? Is it because you guys need to use the certs immediately?
- If we don't do anything, will the certs get converted?
- When the certs get converted, does the expiration reset for 1 year?
- Didn't Marriott state that we had 1 year to convert our Cat 6,8, etc certs and get a 30k refund? Don't we still have this option?
I hate thinking of myself as anyone's b**** but Marriott totally screwed me over this time.
Sep 11, 2018, 12:02 am
#117
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, Hilton, Chase
Posts: 15
You don't necessarily have a year, but rather only till the expiration of the original cert. Those folks who bought one right before the merger get about a year.
Sep 11, 2018, 8:06 am
#118
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 56
I redeemed a Marriott category 9 (45k per night) travel package with 120k miles last year for 390k Marriott and it was one of the best deals going. Looking at new travel packages, it seems like they didn’t even do the math properly when setting point values.
Let’s take the closest example of category 6 (50k per night, all Cat 5+ are similar) and 50k AA miles, which costs 435k points, calculating them separately:
- 7 nights at Cat 6 is 50k x 6 (since 5th night is free) = 300k
- 50k AA miles are transferred at the ratio of 3:1 but you gain a bonus of 15k to the Marriott total being transferred for each 60k. So transfer 120k and Marriott adds 30k which is 150k / 3 for the 50 AA miles.
- 300k + 120k = 420k which is 15k CHEAPER than the travel package cost of 435k!
If you wanted 100k AA miles instead, then the travel package is 510k:
- 300k as above for the 7 nights
- 240k as double the above for 100k AA miles
- 540k if done separately which is 30k over the travel package cost.
So the travel package with 50k miles is not even a better deal than doing separately, and the 100k package is only saves about 5% (30k of 540k).
If I assume the same mileage transfer rate (which was possible with SPG), then my transfer last year would have been 600k if done separately (though with 5k more AA) while I paid 390k, which is a 35% savings.
Another way to look at it is to compare the number of Marriott points for an AA mile under each award (lower is better):
- regular miles transfer: 3
- in blocks of 60k Marriott points: 2.4
- new 50k travel package: 2.7
- new 100k travel package: 2.1
- old 120k travel package: 1
Clearly the old travel package was a far better deal. With the new program, why would anyone do a 50k miles travel package when it is a worse deal than doing them separately? For consistency, at least the 50k mileage package should be 30k cheaper to at least give the same mileage transfer rate as the 100k one. That would mean you save 15k by doing the package as opposed to paying 15k more. Not as good as the old one but more sensible. Am I missing something?
Let’s take the closest example of category 6 (50k per night, all Cat 5+ are similar) and 50k AA miles, which costs 435k points, calculating them separately:
- 7 nights at Cat 6 is 50k x 6 (since 5th night is free) = 300k
- 50k AA miles are transferred at the ratio of 3:1 but you gain a bonus of 15k to the Marriott total being transferred for each 60k. So transfer 120k and Marriott adds 30k which is 150k / 3 for the 50 AA miles.
- 300k + 120k = 420k which is 15k CHEAPER than the travel package cost of 435k!
If you wanted 100k AA miles instead, then the travel package is 510k:
- 300k as above for the 7 nights
- 240k as double the above for 100k AA miles
- 540k if done separately which is 30k over the travel package cost.
So the travel package with 50k miles is not even a better deal than doing separately, and the 100k package is only saves about 5% (30k of 540k).
If I assume the same mileage transfer rate (which was possible with SPG), then my transfer last year would have been 600k if done separately (though with 5k more AA) while I paid 390k, which is a 35% savings.
Another way to look at it is to compare the number of Marriott points for an AA mile under each award (lower is better):
- regular miles transfer: 3
- in blocks of 60k Marriott points: 2.4
- new 50k travel package: 2.7
- new 100k travel package: 2.1
- old 120k travel package: 1
Clearly the old travel package was a far better deal. With the new program, why would anyone do a 50k miles travel package when it is a worse deal than doing them separately? For consistency, at least the 50k mileage package should be 30k cheaper to at least give the same mileage transfer rate as the 100k one. That would mean you save 15k by doing the package as opposed to paying 15k more. Not as good as the old one but more sensible. Am I missing something?
Sep 11, 2018, 8:10 am
#119
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 86
Is the expiration date the last date on which it can be attached to a reservation? Or do you actually need to have completed (or started) your 7 night stay) by that expiration date as well?
Sep 11, 2018, 8:37 am
#120
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
The new travel packages are priced using peak prices. A Cat 6 package with 50K miles would cost 1.5 times the number of miles plus 6 times the peak price per nights. 1.5 points/mile * 50K miles + 6 * 60K points per night = 435K points. For 100K miles the cost would be 510K.