Marriott Travel Packages - What Airline Points to Convert to?

[kamchatsky]

Given the recent merger of Marriott and SPG, I am looking at their Marriott Travel Packages in detail. It does have some great deal. I am looking at converting Amex MR points to SPG then to Marriott reward points.

I am looking at staying for 7 nights at Tokyo later this year, I am looking at purchasing the travel packages which gives me 7-night reward certificate plus a whole bunch of airline points of choice:

Flight and Hotel Packages | Marriott Hotel Packages

I am looking at Cat 8 Marriott hotels (either Tokyo Marriott or The Price Sakura Tower Tokyo) so I am looking at 360000 Marriott points ( = 120000 Starwood Points = 240000 Amex Points). This would get me 7 nights free on Cat 8 hotels, plus the following option of airline miles:

- 132000 United Mileage Plus
- 120000 BA Avios, or AA Advantage Miles, or Alaska Miles, or Delta Skymiles, or VS Virgin Atlantic
- 85000 Qantas Points, or SQ Krisflyer, or CX Asia Miles, or EK Skywards Miles, or EY Etihad Guest Miles, or Avianca LifeMiles

At the moment I could not decide which airline miles to get, as I still have a large bunch of AA, QF and VA miles.

The question is, which one would you choose and why?

 

[Jonova]

In general is it possible to change the booking using those certs though?

Yes it is, I've cancelled bookings and had the certificate reissued to my account. Do note that the expiry date on the certificate stays the same as when it was first issued.

 

[Dr Ralph]

In general is it possible to change the booking using those certs though?

Yes.

 

[JohnK]

In general is it possible to change the booking using those certs though?

I have a stay in Marriott Hua Hin next month and booked Saturday-Saturday right on the date the 7 night certificate was due to expire. As the trip approached I realised best if we get to Hua Hin one day earlier and I got in touch with Marriott and they sent email to hotel and hotel changed the day of arrival to the previous day.

I believe bookings with the certificates are flexible as long as there is availability.

 

[songhost]

I credited my United account, and it has good availability into Asia via Air China, Asiana, ANA and Singapore.

 

[songhost]

It is however very disappointing that Marriott still hasn't revealed how they'll handle "floating" 7-night certificate. This really annoys me, as I don't know how I should plan my trips in the next coming year.

 

[lilkid28]

It is however very disappointing that Marriott still hasn't revealed how they'll handle "floating" 7-night certificate. This really annoys me, as I don't know how I should plan my trips in the next coming year.

I have 2 unused 7 night certs, will probably upgrade and keep one each at level 6 and 8, hoping that current Cat 6 will be able to use at new Cat 5, and current Cat 8 will be able to use at new Cat 6. Or if they refund back at the nightly equivalent, all the better.

 

[appaz]

Yea its super frustrating being in the dark regarding these. I'm likely to purchase 2 vouchers before Aug 1st - trying to think of what category for the hotel and which airline ff program for the points whilst in the dark about what will happen to them!
I'm thinking AA or AS and leaning towards AA but can't decide!
Also thinking 1x Cat 6 and 1x Cat 8 but again - tough decision!

 

[andye]

Bought an Alaska/Cat 6 this afternoon. Also upgraded 2 level 5s (that I would have struggled to use by January) to level 6.
No idea if I've made the right call for hotel value.
Less than 10 mins on hold to the Australian number (?Singapore call centre) and dealt with very efficiently

 

[opusman]

Looks like they map based on maximum points rather than how "high" the original category was. So not great for those with Cat 9 packages outstanding.

 

[andye]

Looks like they map based on maximum points rather than how "high" the original category was. So not great for those with Cat 9 packages outstanding.

My gamble on Cat 6 didnt pay off then
It was still a good deal overall though

 

[tizey]

Looks like they map based on maximum points rather than how "high" the original category was. So not great for those with Cat 9 packages outstanding.

Dang.. was hoping my cat 8 cert attached to the laylow in Waikiki would be usable in a SPG property that's moving to New cat 6.

The FlyerTalk thread on this topic is hilarious.

 

[foggy]

I'm a little confused, so the new hotel category's only go up to level 7? and no tiers?

 

[opusman]

Category 8 doesn't launch until next year.

 

[potm]

Marriott were fair rather than generous. People holding cat 6, 8 or tier 1-3 will probably feel hard done by. Cat 9 holders were the winners.

I was holding cat 5 and 7 myself so got equivalent value without having to worry about future peak pricing. With SPG properties added to the pool, there’s a lot more options now.

I’m reading a lot of outrage from people who were gambling on Marriott being generous or just don’t understand the category changes.

One thing I would like to know is if we can still extend the expiry of certs by a year.

 

[robbo135]

The FlyerTalk thread on this topic is hilarious.

The FT thread has turned into dummy spit and hissy fit, I can't say I'm surprised though when you have points collectors and frequent travellers who think the world revolves around them

Even a few people who are considering a class action

 

[andye]

Marriott were fair rather than generous. People holding cat 6, 8 or tier 1-3 will probably feel hard done by. Cat 9 holders were the winners.

I was holding cat 5 and 7 myself so got equivalent value without having to worry about future peak pricing. With SPG properties added to the pool, there’s a lot more options now.

I’m reading a lot of outrage from people who were gambling on Marriott being generous or just don’t understand the category changes.

One thing I would like to know is if we can still extend the expiry of certs by a year.

I hadnt kept track of the peak pricing information-do you mean you can use the certificates regardless of that? Thats a win if so

 

[potm]

I hadnt kept track of the peak pricing information-do you mean you can use the certificates regardless of that? Thats a win if so

Yes, the 7 night certs will be usuable in peak pricing. Small win for the old cat 1-5, 7 and 9s.

 

[andye]

Just read on headforpoints that if you bought a cat 6 or 8 you can apply for 30k points 'compensation'
Also the blackout for booking with packages (previously until 18th Sep) appears to have lifted
Bits: New BA 241 First Class deal to China, Marriott backtracks on Travel Packages

 

[kamchatsky]

Just read on headforpoints that if you bought a cat 6 or 8 you can apply for 30k points 'compensation'
Also the blackout for booking with packages (previously until 18th Sep) appears to have lifted
Bits: New BA 241 First Class deal to China, Marriott backtracks on Travel Packages

If you read FT, Marriott haven't told the CSRs about this and of course there are a whole bunch of whingers there claiming losses and having class actions against Marriott

 

[fairbasa]

Marriott have done the right thing by offering 30k refunds for those with Cat 6/8/T1-3 packages.

While they may be entitled to map them down to the same category, it was a really good way of annoying your customers. To penalise all travel package holders would be annoying but understandable, but to selectively penalise travel package holders was unfair.

Given the AMEX transfer devaluation and the Travel Package devaluation, I think I'm going to exclusively concentrate my future AMEX earn on Krisflyer instead of Marriott/SPG. It was fun while it lasted.