Booking Awards Without Sufficient Points
Sep 23, 2018, 2:42 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
Booking Awards Without Sufficient Points
Marriott allows booking awards without sufficient points in account as long as you earn those points before date of stay. Is this still allowed for legacy Marriott, RC and Starwood properties? 
Does this lock in your point level in case property changes category or does this just hold award space? This may be elementary for Marriott veterans but I am from SPG side.
Does this lock in your point level in case property changes category or does this just hold award space? This may be elementary for Marriott veterans but I am from SPG side.
Sep 23, 2018, 3:11 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Yes, it is supposed to come back before end of year, I think the Lurkers gave a more specific timeframe as to when but I'm drawing a blank
Sep 23, 2018, 3:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Sep 23, 2018, 3:54 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Sep 23, 2018, 9:09 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
My question remains: Does booking without point deduction hold award level or does it hold award space only?
It is of concern as many level 7 properties will go up to level 8 next year. Also, all properties will have peak/off-peak pricing.
Sep 23, 2018, 9:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
I tested with a few random properties and looks like you are correct. Legacy Starwood properties are redirected to old Starwood website which doesn't allow it yet Marriott website does.
My question remains: Does booking without point deduction hold award level or does it hold award space only? It is of concern as many level 7 properties will go up to level 8 next year. Also, all properties will have peak/off-peak pricing.
My question remains: Does booking without point deduction hold award level or does it hold award space only?
It is of concern as many level 7 properties will go up to level 8 next year. Also, all properties will have peak/off-peak pricing.
Sep 28, 2018, 2:59 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 123
Cat 8 date and Points pooling
I've booked Ritz tokyo for 5 nights next May with Points Advance 240k.
I only have 50k in my account so required transferring 190k from wife's account which is only silver. Phoned CS and told the maximum points can be transferred are 100k each calendar year, so suggested to transfer 100k this year and rest of them after 1st Jan 2019.
My concern is when will new cat 8 be introduced. Points Advance won't secure the the points required if cat moved based on what I read after this Aug merge. So if cat 8 introduced on 1st Jan I will be screwed.
Anyone has any suggestion?
I only have 50k in my account so required transferring 190k from wife's account which is only silver. Phoned CS and told the maximum points can be transferred are 100k each calendar year, so suggested to transfer 100k this year and rest of them after 1st Jan 2019.
My concern is when will new cat 8 be introduced. Points Advance won't secure the the points required if cat moved based on what I read after this Aug merge. So if cat 8 introduced on 1st Jan I will be screwed.
Anyone has any suggestion?
Sep 28, 2018, 1:22 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
The point award is held at the rate you booked it for but the reservation when the hotel goes up in category will show the new level. You can call in when you have the points and advise the point level you made the booking at. The agent will confirm and either deduct the proper total or refund the difference
Oct 11, 2018, 12:35 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Booking without points in account
So I was under the impression, that this benefit would continue in the new program. I just tried to book a hotel without having all the points I need and neither the Starwood site nor the Marriott site will let me book. I’m waiting on the transfer from diners club so I know I’ll have the points in plenty of time. But if they’re not going to let me book considering how weak the hotel options there were for that week in Paris, I think I’ll just put the cash reservation someplace else and save those points for a later trip somewhere. By the time t the points show up the only thing that could be the courtyard out by the airport. Im very disappointed that that great benefit went away. It does remove one of my incentives to stay at Marriott
Oct 11, 2018, 2:39 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
Oct 11, 2018, 6:39 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Oct 11, 2018, 6:48 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Oct 11, 2018, 10:59 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
You should be able to book this over the phone. It's SPG properties that I was told that you can't book online or by phone without sufficient points.... yet! Anxiously waiting....
Last edited by MarkP24; Oct 11, 2018 at 10:59 pm Reason: clarification
Oct 12, 2018, 6:20 am
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
