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I’ve just received an email from Marriott with a code for 20% off a Marriott Bonvoy eGiftCard.
I’ve never even heard of these let alone used one, but I’ve had a look and I can indeed get 20% off.
Reading the terms it seems they can be used as payment for most Bonvoy brand stays, and they don’t expire, but are priced in USD.
Has anyone any experience of these?
I’m a little confused as to how to use them for hotel bookings, the terms say:Q. How do I present a Marriott eGiftCard to be used at a Marriott hotel?
A. The email or purchase receipt containing the eGiftCard number will need to be presented at the time of transaction. This may be a physical printout or an image on an electronic device.But then goes on to say:
Q. Can I use a GiftCard to pre-pay for a room reservation (e.g. Advance Purchase Rates)?
A. NoSo how do I make a reservation online? Is there somewhere on the Marriott booking page to enter a gift card #, or do I just hold the room with my credit card then present the egiftcard at check out? (Assuming it’s not an Advance Purchase rate)
I’d be grateful for any advice, as I do quite a few Marriott stays, and if it is indeed an actual 20% off then I’ll have some of that!
You can’t use the egiftcards with pre paid rates. Book any other pay at hotel rate and present the egiftcard at reception.
I’ve just bought one to pay for a trip later in the month, seems an easy way to save 20%.
Presume some of that will be eroded by FX as charged in USD, but the alternative was paying in EUR at hotel so swings and roundabouts.
Marriott are usually pretty good on the conversion rate when paying by gift card. This was a very welcome surprise when I got the email.
Its just a shame its limited to $3k!
Thanks for the replies folks.
Sorry to bring this back to the top again, but I’m about to commit a sizeable sum to this and thought I’d try a final reach out to a few more experienced travellers in here first. I keep thinking there must be a catch here somewhere, but if I can reassure myself that the only downside to this is the USD purchase hit then I’m gonna buy myself an early Christmas present.
Remember that with the gift card you don’t get the 6x points on the purchase with the Bonvoy Amex, like you would if using it on a cash stay. I think using it with the Chase Card does work (bonus points trigger) but that’s a US thing.
The potential catch is that FD staff may not be au fait with GCs, so it’s a good idea to let them know beforehand (eg a day before you’re checking out) and give yourself enough time when checking out for them to deal with processing it. Mentioning it when you check in is probably a good idea also.
Someone might claim that gift cards aren’t applicable at their hotel. That’s almost certainly BS but you’ll have to be prepared to escalate it if they claim they can’t be used (most likely just a lazy clerk who doesn’t want the hassle of inputting it into the system).
Remember that with the gift card you don’t get the 6x points on the purchase with the Bonvoy Amex, like you would if using it on a cash stay. I think using it with the Chase Card does work (bonus points trigger) but that’s a US thing.
The potential catch is that FD staff may not be au fait with GCs, so it’s a good idea to let them know beforehand (eg a day before you’re checking out) and give yourself enough time when checking out for them to deal with processing it. Mentioning it when you check in is probably a good idea also.
Someone might claim that gift cards aren’t applicable at their hotel. That’s almost certainly BS but you’ll have to be prepared to escalate it if they claim they can’t be used (most likely just a lazy clerk who doesn’t want the hassle of inputting it into the system).
Thanks for this.
Almost all of my Marriott stays are abroad, some Europe, but mostly Far East or Middle East, so don’t usually pay with my Bonvoy card as the FX all but cancels out the extra points benefit. I always pay with my Curve linked to Hilton B’card to both mitigate the exchange rate hit and at the same time collect Hilton points – which I’ll also use to buy the gift card.
I guess if the gift card is then issued in USD and presented at check out there will also be a further hit on hotel exchange rates? However I’m thinking that as the AED seems to follow the USD it shouldn’t hurt too much in the UAE. Or is that just wishful thinking…* Something else just struck me when re-reading above.
Does anyone think this purchase will count towards my Curve Fronted £3k limit !!!
Hi does anyone have a code they are not using. I wouldn’t mind buying some at 20% discount
It’s against T&C as the code is non-transferrable. It’s also for Amex MB cardholders as well, so you can get both your MB account shut and Amex card cancelled.
Remember that with the gift card you don’t get the 6x points on the purchase with the Bonvoy Amex, like you would if using it on a cash stay. I think using it with the Chase Card does work (bonus points trigger) but that’s a US thing.
Not correct – I bought a voucher the other day and it’s cleared by MB AMEX labelled “Marriott” and I’ve had the “hotel spend bonus” extra 4x points already posted.
Is there any benefit for using the Amex Bonvoy card when buying these gift vouchers?
If my maths is correct then the 6x points per £ would be cancelled out by the non sterling transaction fee. Eg for a £100 spend you’d earn 600 points, roughly valued at £3 using a 0.5p per point valuation. You then get charged a £2.99 non sterling transaction fee.
I just bought $3k using curve metal, backed with Avios+. Surprised when i got a message later saying I’d earnt cashback – 1% for marriott spend on curve. So no FX fee and 1% cashback!
Remember that with the gift card you don’t get the 6x points on the purchase with the Bonvoy Amex, like you would if using it on a cash stay. I think using it with the Chase Card does work (bonus points trigger) but that’s a US thing.
Not correct – I bought a voucher the other day and it’s cleared by MB AMEX labelled “Marriott” and I’ve had the “hotel spend bonus” extra 4x points already posted.
So that’s new, as I’ve bought GCs before and it never triggered a bonus.
I just bought $3k using curve metal, backed with Avios+. Surprised when i got a message later saying I’d earnt cashback – 1% for marriott spend on curve. So no FX fee and 1% cashback!
I’m gutted! I had no idea that Marriott was one of the Curve cashback retailers!
I put quite a bit of money into Marriott via curve too, and I’m stuck with 1% back on a 5 quid screwdriver at Argos or B&Q! 🙁
It looks like you are unable to change your 6 cashback retailers at Curve as well, so losing out big time here, unless someone has a get-around…?
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