Tag Archives: Marriott Hotels

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Marriott Fans, I Need Help!

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Ready for a rant? And this isn’t even about the Marriott/SPG merger, either. I’m not a Marriott loyalist, but I’m no hotel newbie either. It’s a simple task I should be able to do that I can’t. And I’m frustrated. I challenged Grant, as well, and he couldn’t figure it out. I can’t find an email address for a Marriott property so I can email the hotel directly. Surely this has to be doable?? I can do it with Hyatt hotels, and Hilton, too. And used to be able to easily find email addresses at SPG properties. So I’m asking you TWG readers and Marriott loyalists……how the heck do you find an email address for a Marriott property?? It’s not on Google nor on the hotel website. Oh yeah, it’s the Copenhagen Marriott! But I’m hoping someone will be able to tell us in general how to find email addresses for Marriott hotels. Thanks, everyone, for hopefully putting an end to this rant :)

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Marriott Rewards Travel Package Update

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Marriott Rewards official launch day for combining Marriott and Starwood programs came and went, but not without controversy around its Travel Packages. At first Marriott disallowed changes to their Travel Packages and members who had Travel Packages were, to say the least, frustrated by the way Marriott had been communicating all along and especially during the launch period.

Fortunately for Marriott and its members holding Travel Packages, the main two issues have been resolved. Continue reading →

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Marriott Rewards: New Program Launch Day is Here!

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Though the talk about Marriott and its new combined hotel rewards program has been going hot and heavy all summer, the day is finally here when the new program will finally launch. The combined program will launch tomorrow, August 18. I hope everyone who wanted to book hotels before the rates went up has already done so!

No one has covered this news better and given us easier to understand rewards points lists more than Ric over at Loyalty Traveler. If you’re still confused or need the most up to date information on Marriott’s 8 hotel categories and the hotel point increases, head over here.

One aspect of all combined program I’ve thought about, having been an SPG loyalist for years but not much of a Marriott customer, was how much I’d be affected by this merger.

I took a look at the Marriott stays I had booked and decided to pay with cash instead of points. It’s a better value for me because I use Pruvo and never overpay for my hotel stays and also because I use my Citi Prestige 4th night free benefit and reduce my out-of-pocket costs that way, as well. It’s always good to let math be your friend and see whether points or cash gets you the best value.

Were you able to book some of your favorite Marriott hotels before the prices in points increase tomorrow?

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Business Travelers: What Do You Look for in a Hotel?

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As much as I travel, and as great as my own gusto for travel is, I’m always impressed by the stamina of business travelers. You know, those travelers who week after week head out either to the same location or various locations due to living in one place and conducting business in another. I don’t actually have many friends who spend their weeks living this life, but recently I sat down and talked with my friend Rachel who has been a business traveler for a few years now and travels three weeks out of every month. I was curious about what she looks for in a hotel and how she makes accommodation choices.

Rachel’s Story

Due to a change in business travel locations, about two years ago Rachel switched from Marriott Rewards loyalty to Hilton Honors loyalty. She was pleased with Marriott, so the switch was based purely on Hilton property locations that worked better for her business location. She’s enjoying Hilton properties and has quite a huge accumulation of Hilton points now! For her, hotel location being close to her business is always more important than being close to an airport. Rachel easily maintains Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status. Continue reading →

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Don’t Miss These Huge American Express SPG & Delta Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

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The competition has heated up in August with banks, credit card companies, and airlines stepping up to the plate with some of their best sign-up offers. If you qualify for these cards, now is a great time to give them a go!

Up to 175K SPG Points

Good news on the American Express front. American Express announced significant changes to their two co-branded SPG cards this week.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

The card is currently offering 75K points after spending $3K within the first three months as well as 6x points on Marriott/SPG purchases and 2x points on all other purchases. You’ll also receive a free night award every year after your card account anniversary (good for redemption up to properties going for 35K per night). Beginning in 2019, you will receive 15 elite qualifying nights for holding the card. The card comes with a $95 annual fee that is waived for the first year.

  • Earn 75,000 Bonus Points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
  • Earn 6 points for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating SPG® and Marriott Rewards® hotels and 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on International purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 points) at a participating hotel. Select hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy complimentary, unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi on up to four devices at more than 1,000,000 Boingo hotspots worldwide. Enrollment required.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

You have a limited window to obtain this card until 8/26. AmEx normally limits the card to those applicants who have not had it before, but additional restrictions will be put in place come 8/26: Effective 8/26, welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, The Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase, or The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card from JP Morgan in the last 30 days. Continue reading →