Follow Up Re: Marriott Points

[JJ2017]

OK - I'm driving myself a bit crazy, but this board will understand!

We have a spring break trip this year in Hilton Head and we have booked three nights at a Marriott all on points. Each night is 35,000 points.

Both my husband and I also both have a Free Night Award Certificate (we each get one annually through the Marriott credit card) - applicable to any stay up to 35,000 points. So, technically, we can try to apply both of our certificates and get back 70,000 points.

My thought is that it's a good idea to use these certificate towards the highest amount allowed, right? Because as of right now, I have my certificate used at a hotel in Savannah for the night before we fly home. But that room on points is only 25,000.

I might have to jump through some hoops to make this all work - but is it worth my time and energy? Is there something I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!

 

[Psychodisney]

Who’s account did you book the HH stay with? You can probably change one of your nights to a Free night award for that person pretty easily. You might need a separate reservation for the other account (first or last night). Definitely use those for 35K night stays vs. 25K!

 

[JJ2017]

Who’s account did you book the HH stay with? You can probably change one of your nights to a Free night award for that person pretty easily. You might need a separate reservation for the other account (first or last night). Definitely use those for 35K night stays vs. 25K!

It's under my husband's account, so I'm sure his can be applied easily. I'll work on getting mine applied - will be worth it.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Generally, yes, you'd want to use the certificate for its 'highest and best use' and minimize the points out of your pocket.

Scenario #1: Pay 25k points in Savannah and use the 35k certificate in HH. Result= certificate used and 25k points out of pocket
Scenario #2: Use certificate in Savannah and pay 35k points in HH. Result=certificate used and 35k points out of pocket.

However, I think you also need to consider the dollar value ( ie the hotel rate) to point relationship, and use the certificate where it gets you the most 'bang for your buck'. I always look to get a value at least equal to one cent a point (for hotel points, anyway). So I would not use a free night award for 35k for a 35k OR a 25k night hotel unless the dollar rate I would pay is more than $350 unless you are points rich and cash poor (relatively).

The other consideration I'd add would be any other travel plans you may have. So if you have the chance to use the certificate on another stay of 35k points, you may want to save it entirely.

Hope that isn't too confusing....

 

[JJ2017]

Generally, yes, you'd want to use the certificate for its 'highest and best use' and minimize the points out of your pocket.

Scenario #1: Pay 25k points in Savannah and use the 35k certificate in HH. Result= certificate used and 25k points out of pocket
Scenario #2: Use certificate in Savannah and pay 35k points in HH. Result=certificate used and 35k points out of pocket.

However, I think you also need to consider the dollar value ( ie the hotel rate) to point relationship, and use the certificate where it gets you the most 'bang for your buck'. I always look to get a value at least equal to one cent a point (for hotel points, anyway). So I would not use a free night award for 35k for a 35k OR a 25k night hotel unless the dollar rate I would pay is more than $350 unless you are points rich and cash poor (relatively).

The other consideration I'd add would be any other travel plans you may have. So if you have the chance to use the certificate on another stay of 35k points, you may want to save it entirely.

Hope that isn't too confusing....

Yep - that was all good info to think through. The cash value at the HH resort is high, so it made a lot of sense to apply the certificate. So step 1 is done (applying my husbands certificate). The tricky part is using mine. I have to decide if I want to try for it. Thanks!

 

[platamama]

It's under my husband's account, so I'm sure his can be applied easily. I'll work on getting mine applied - will be worth it.

Yep - that was all good info to think through. The cash value at the HH resort is high, so it made a lot of sense to apply the certificate. So step 1 is done (applying my husbands certificate). The tricky part is using mine. I have to decide if I want to try for it. Thanks!

What you might need to do is cancel the current three night reservation and break it up into 3 separate reservations: one under your DH's acct as a Free Night reward, one under your acct as a Free Night reward night, and one as a points night. As long as you book the same kind of room you can let the hotel know when you get there that you want to stay in the same room the whole time for all three nights. Or you can call the hotel to arrange that ahead of time if it makes you more comfortable to work that out in advance.

Make sure there are still award nights available for your dates before attempting this.

ETA: Oh, if Marriott already allowed you to apply your DH's free night, then you'd only need two reservations instead of three.

 

[QueenElinor]

you guys heard about the Marriott data breach disclosed today? It probably doesn't affect you if you didn't have an account with the Starwood group that they bought. Marriott is supposed to send an email to people whose accounts might have been hacked.

I cancelled out the CC I have on the Marriott website, just in case. I did have a Starwood account I used once.

The Marriott website and management of their member accounts is so awesome compared to other hoteliers (looking at you, Disney!) I was disappointed and very surprised, but oh well.

 

[ChattaDIS]

One thing to consider and I’m not sure how tight your schedule is but Marriott gives you a 5th night free when staying on 4 nights of points. I’m not sure you can use the certificate for any of the 4 nights but you may be able to get 5 for the cost of 4 in HH if you wanted. I love this benefit from mariott

 

[JJ2017]

One thing to consider and I’m not sure how tight your schedule is but Marriott gives you a 5th night free when staying on 4 nights of points. I’m not sure you can use the certificate for any of the 4 nights but you may be able to get 5 for the cost of 4 in HH if you wanted. I love this benefit from mariott

Totally would have wanted to do this but all in all we have 5 nights total for the trip in the area and we want to spend one of those nights in Savannah. But yeah, that 5th night free is amazing. We took advantage of that on our past Disney trip and it was awesome!