Reserve Marriott Award Nights – Without Points!
I was talking with a friend of mine last week and much to my delight, the conversation took a turn down a points and miles path. Oh, how I love talking points and miles!
We started to discuss my friend’s upcoming trip to London, and specifically, the Marriott branded hotels that he is interested in staying in. London has a good selection of Marriott properties, including The London EDITION, St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection and the Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, so I think he was right on track in targeting a Marriott Rewards redemption!
My friend explained how he really had his sights set on the London EDITION, found the award availability, and just needed a few thousand more Marriott Rewards in his account to make the redemption happen. So he did exactly what I would have done, transfer the points over from Chase Ultimate Rewards (earned through his Chase Sapphire Reserve sign-up)!
Here is where things went sour…
He was disappointed to find that the award availability for his dates had vanished! In the 2 day timeframe that it took for the Chase Ultimate Rewards points to transfer to his Marriott Rewards account, the award had disappeared…
Bummer!
I hate the fact that this happened, but that is the way the points game goes sometimes – but this instance could have been prevented! I had to deliver some news that would cause him even more disappointment…
Marriott Rewards point redemptions can be booked/reserved without having the sufficient points in your account. That’s right – Marriott will allow you to speculatively book award redemptions, only requiring you to have the necessary points in your account approximately 1 week before your stay!
That means no waiting for points to post from the Marriott Rewards credit card or transfer from other programs like Chase and SPG!
This policy differs from that of Hilton, Hyatt and SPG, which all require that points be present and deducted at the time of the award booking. Not Marriott Rewards, though. Book awards now, accumulate and redeem points later!
Interested in trying for yourself? Here’s a quick “How to” on reserving a Marriott points redemption, despite a measly and insufficient point balance!
Step-by-Step – Reserve Marriott Award Nights Without the Points
Search your dates – designate “use points”
Select your hotel & view rates
Insufficient point balance
You don’t need the points in your account just yet.. But make sure you have them there prior to 8 days before check-in!
Additional points needed!
Earn the points however you can! Sign-up for the Marriott Rewards credit card, transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, transfer points from SPG, or earn the old fashion way – stay at Marriott hotels!
Just a heads up! If you do have some points in your account, Marriott will deduct what you have and wait for you to earn the rest prior to your stay.
Final Thought
Do not let Marriott award availability slip through your fingers! You can book award night redemptions without the sufficient points in your account and worry about earning them at a later date.
Award availability (or lack thereof) plays a large factor in the points and miles game. Marriott makes it easy on us by allowing this convenient award reservation process!
Have you been able to take advantage of Marriott’s generosity and book award stays without sufficient points?
Happy Travels!
DW