When redemptions feel like a bait and switch routine
Yesterday | 3:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: HIlton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Southwest
Posts: 324
When redemptions feel like a bait and switch routine
Was considering booking 5 nights at JW Marriott Chicago for 224,000 points (plus $30 per night destination fee), as stated on the list of bookable Marriott properties in that area. But when I clicked through, the actual redemption rate was 254,000 points UNLESS I want to instead pay an additional $30 per night beyond the destinatiion fee, Called Marriott and was told this was an upgraded room, thus the extra charge. But if all they have available are upgraded rooms shouldn't the actual points price say 254,000 points? It feels somewhat deceptive.
Yesterday | 3:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 7,452
Was considering booking 5 nights at JW Marriott Chicago for 224,000 points (plus $30 per night destination fee), as stated on the list of bookable Marriott properties in that area. But when I clicked through, the actual redemption rate was 254,000 points UNLESS I want to instead pay an additional $30 per night beyond the destinatiion fee, Called Marriott and was told this was an upgraded room, thus the extra charge. But if all they have available are upgraded rooms shouldn't the actual points price say 254,000 points? It feels somewhat deceptive.
Yesterday | 5:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 7,452
Odd. I've seen this before but not in a long while. Looks lIke it is just a quirk of the regular "Guest room" being unavailable (one alternative, for what it's worth, would be to have no rooms available for points, though admittedly the "exterior view" surcharge of $30/night just feels like a money grab). Definitely is not the norm / does not happen when base rooms are available.
Today | 5:00 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,807
Was considering booking 5 nights at JW Marriott Chicago for 224,000 points (plus $30 per night destination fee), as stated on the list of bookable Marriott properties in that area. But when I clicked through, the actual redemption rate was 254,000 points UNLESS I want to instead pay an additional $30 per night beyond the destinatiion fee,....
I don't think it is bait and switch. I have noticed this discrepancy between search screen and booking screen both ways and sometimes dramatically. I have seen search screen showing 81,000 points but became 181,000 when you click through. OTOH, I have seen 80,000 but became 64,000 when clicked through. 🤷♂️
Today | 6:18 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Programs: MR LT Titanium, IHG Plat.,UA Premier Silver, & PA/OH Turnpike Million Miler
Posts: 2,736
I have seen this as well. I think platbrownguy is correct. It happens when base rooms aren't available and the system displays the point cost for them when you do your highlevel search in an area. It is displaying what would have been the point cost for the base room. When you drill down into a specific property you only see the higher point costs for the rooms that are actually available. Regardless, it shouldn't happen and is very annoying. Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. YMMV...
--Jon
--Jon