Best practice to do before the merger reg. upcoming award stays
Aug 9, 2018, 12:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA - Platinum; Starwood - Platinum; Alaska - MVP75; IHG - Platinum; Hilton - Gold; Marriott - Gold
Posts: 670
Best practice to do before the merger reg. upcoming award stays
I have upcoming stay at Bangkok and I spent 7000 starwood points at Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa. That is equivalent to 21,000 marriott reward points.
After August 18 merger, the points drops to 12,500 marriott points, which is difference of 8500 marriott reward points = 2833.33 starwood points.
My question,
1. should I cancel the stay and get the 7,000 starwood points (21,000 marriott points) in to my account before the merger happens and rebook later?
or
2. it doesn't really matter reg. merger. You will still get back the 7000 starwood points back in to my account
or
3. should I wait after the merger happens and still will get 21,000 marriott points back to my account? and rebook the same property for 12,500 marriott reward points?
After August 18 merger, the points drops to 12,500 marriott points, which is difference of 8500 marriott reward points = 2833.33 starwood points.
My question,
1. should I cancel the stay and get the 7,000 starwood points (21,000 marriott points) in to my account before the merger happens and rebook later?
or
2. it doesn't really matter reg. merger. You will still get back the 7000 starwood points back in to my account
or
3. should I wait after the merger happens and still will get 21,000 marriott points back to my account? and rebook the same property for 12,500 marriott reward points?
Aug 9, 2018, 12:52 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 301
There are some contradictory opinions regarding that. SPG Lurker said on another thread that, although excess points will not be automatically refunded, one will be able to call in (good luck with that!...) and request a reservation adjustment to the new points rate. However, in a more recent blog interview (whatever its worth) David Flueck said one would have to cancel and rebook at the new rate.
I am pretty much in the same situation as you. I have a (refundable) paid stay coming up in late August where the property will be going from 95k to 60k. I have decided not to book it on points now and then ask for a readjustment on the 19th. I will rather wait and book after the merger if there still is availability and then cancel my paid reservation.
I am pretty much in the same situation as you. I have a (refundable) paid stay coming up in late August where the property will be going from 95k to 60k. I have decided not to book it on points now and then ask for a readjustment on the 19th. I will rather wait and book after the merger if there still is availability and then cancel my paid reservation.
Aug 9, 2018, 1:09 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Posts: 670
Thanks M dAR. Confusing. But I don't want to call them after the 18th. I would go and cancel my award stay as mine is in December 2018. So I have time to rebook
Aug 9, 2018, 1:20 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
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Posts: 15,521
If it makes you feel any better, this is what Lurker said:
Some good news today for those who have award bookings after August where the hotel will be going down in category. While if a redemption stay is booked prior to when the new categories go into effect, a member would not automatically receive a points refund should the hotel require fewer points, members will be able to contact us for assistance in moving the reservation to new category pricing without losing the reservation. This was not the case in SPG where a new availability check was required, so I'm pleased that the current Marriott Rewards policy will continue in that regard.
Best regards,William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
Best regards,William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
Aug 9, 2018, 1:55 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
DO NOT CANCEL NOW!!! You can always cancel after the 18th if things do not work out. You will get your points back.
Having to cancel and rebook was an SPG thing but Marriott always allowed you to call in and get the points refunded, so this is not new process on the Marriott side. It is a continuation of business as usual. If after the 18th you can do this online by booking a new reservation and canceling your existing reservation that is the quickest easiest thing to do. If you cannot book a new reservation, The Lurker or a legacy Marriott agent should be able to refund your points easily. Again Marriott agents have been doing this for years. If you run into an issue you can cancel then, but there is no reason to cancel now.
Having to cancel and rebook was an SPG thing but Marriott always allowed you to call in and get the points refunded, so this is not new process on the Marriott side. It is a continuation of business as usual. If after the 18th you can do this online by booking a new reservation and canceling your existing reservation that is the quickest easiest thing to do. If you cannot book a new reservation, The Lurker or a legacy Marriott agent should be able to refund your points easily. Again Marriott agents have been doing this for years. If you run into an issue you can cancel then, but there is no reason to cancel now.
Aug 9, 2018, 9:42 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 230
Wait found it, for reference it's here https://points-redemption.marriott.com/category-change
Aug 9, 2018, 2:20 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Don't cancel an existing reservation. Only bad things can happen - you wait to book later and...ack...they are sold out.
Keep the reservation. After 8/20-ish, try calling and having them refund the points.
If it's too hard to get through, book another room, if you have the points, and then cancel your previous reservations.
If you don't have enough points to double book, keep trying to call, and work though the Lurkers here if you have issues.
If you see award rooms available, you can try cancelling and immediately rebooking, after 8/18, but you're taking a slight chance that the room disappears. Marriott doesn't have the "if it's for cash sale, you can redeem points" policy, so be careful if going this route.
Keep the reservation. After 8/20-ish, try calling and having them refund the points.
If it's too hard to get through, book another room, if you have the points, and then cancel your previous reservations.
If you don't have enough points to double book, keep trying to call, and work though the Lurkers here if you have issues.
If you see award rooms available, you can try cancelling and immediately rebooking, after 8/18, but you're taking a slight chance that the room disappears. Marriott doesn't have the "if it's for cash sale, you can redeem points" policy, so be careful if going this route.
Aug 9, 2018, 3:49 pm
#9
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Its possible I missed, but has Marriott stated they will be changing their rules about making an award hotel reservation without requiring the necessary points be in your account?
Aug 9, 2018, 11:45 pm
#10
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Some people have recently reported trouble doing this, such as having the needed points purchased for them without permission when those points would have easily been earned well in advance of the stay.