Triggering Amex offer of £100 off for £400 spend in Marriott

[ThriceForgiven]

Hi

Not sure if this is the right forum or if the Bonvoy one would be better, but essentially I have the £100 off £400 offer saved on my card which expires early next month, but won’t get a chance to stay at a hotel before then.

I’m ~70% certain that I’ll be staying at a Marriott in Spain after the offer expires, but this is irrelevant because I’m using a corporate rate which means I cannot prepay the booking. Extra context, I’ve stayed at the property a few times already, not sure if it counts for something.

Questions:
1) Has anyone made an one-off prepayment to a Marriott property by reaching out directly? I’m wondering if this is feasible, ideally adhering to the same cancellation policy of the booking (e.g. free up to 2 days before the start of the stay). To minimise FX charges I’d look to pay the minimum amount (£405 in EUR or so to be on the safe side) which may be another conundrum – how would you approach this?
2) How else can I trigger the cashback in a way that doesn’t leave me bleeding on FX charges?

Thanks.

[NorthernLass]

The offer works on normal pre-paid bookings – could you use it for a future stay you know wouldn’t be cancelled?

[ThriceForgiven]

That’s my issue. Even if I wanted to prepay, I get a decent discount through my Company’s rate but there’s no way to prepay it.

[George K]

I think your best bet is to call and ask to be charged. I’ve done this a couple of times, and it’s never been an issue. However, I was not on a special rate like you. I can’t imagine a specific reason why they wouldn’t want to take your money ahead of schedule, but they’ll tell you, of course.

I wouldn’t complicate things with part payments personally, unless you’re physically there on the front desk to hand out two different cards.

[Matt]

Agree with the advice given – call to pay, and don’t try to mess around with part payments. The only way to avoid FX charges is to either forego the cashback, or book a hotel in the UK within the next month.

[ThriceForgiven]

Ah, it makes sense. But the total outlay will be EUR 2k or so for the hotel which I definitely will not be paying with the UK Amex as the FX would negate the cashback.

I’ll give them a call to attempt the part payment. Will let you know how that goes.

[BBbetter]

Or split the bookings to one per room or one or two nights per room.

[ThriceForgiven]

Reporting back – mission accomplished. Wrote to the hotel, asked them to part pay a few nights on my booking and received the credit. Doesn’t hurt to ask so give it a shot if you’re in the same boat.