MarriottBonvoyBrilliant

I recently redeemed my Free Night Award using my HDFC Bank Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card for a stay at a Marriott resort in Goa, and it turned out to be a great redemption. I used around 37K Marriott points to book a Garden View room, but upon check-in I was upgraded to a Beach...

We are staying at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki for a family wedding in April and booked two rooms. They’ve assigned us to what appears to be rooms in an older tower, and expectations have been adjusted accordingly. Any tips on how we can improve our...

Always wondered about this too. I’ve seen people say they get better treatment when they’ve stayed at the same property before, but I never knew if that’s actually tracked or if it’s just staff recognizing faces. Like do they see your past stays at that exact hotel? Or just your...

I stayed at the SpringHill Suites in Brandon, Florida using Bonvoy points. The first night was fine, but the second night around 12:20 AM a very loud jackhammer-like noise started coming from the bathroom in our room. I called the front desk and the agent told me it was a known...

My wife’s dream trip is staying in one of those overwater bungalows for a week. I’ve got close to a million Marriott points saved up, but I’m hoping to find somewhere a bit easier to reach than the Maldives. We’re based in California, so ideally something with a simpler route...

I’m looking at getting a new hotel credit card and trying to decide between World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy. Most of my spending is already in the Chase ecosystem, so I’d be transferring Chase points either way. My travel is mainly Asia focused, especially Tokyo and Kyoto,...

Stayed at the new City Express Charlotte South End a few months ago and got hit with a $50-per-night charge for “enhanced” internet, even though my Titanium Elite status should include that. My Marriott number was on the reservation and showed in the app. When I called, the...

I’ve been working front desk for over two years and seriously there’s no real benefit to booking through Expedia, Booking, Hotels.com, or any of those sites. They hide fees, so you usually end up paying the same (or more) than if you booked direct. If you’re into Bonvoy perks,...

Finally reached 50 nights and made Platinum after a last-minute stay in Dubai. When we gave our room number at breakfast, my wife noticed it showed as “VIP” on their list. Curious if that’s normal for Gold or Platinum members, or if it’s just something hotels do locally here....

Left about 400 bucks sitting right on the table when I ran out for breakfast this morning. Realized it way too late. Came back to a freshly cleaned room and every dollar was still exactly where I left it. Big shoutout to the housekeeping staff for being solid.

Bonvoy Platinum here and I’ve noticed a ton of Marriott properties showing way lower rates on Priceline like 30%+ cheaper. On top of that, I get Rakuten/C1 offers that stack another 20% off the already lower OTA price. Most of the time I still book direct because of points,...

Eyeing a 5-night stay at the JW Masai Mara that clocks in at 944k Bonvoy points. Cash rate is around 12.7k for my dates. I’ve got 132k Marriott already, so with the 70 percent Chase→Bonvoy bonus I’d need to dump about 478k UR to make it work. Comes out to roughly 2.3 cpp on the...

Been using my Amex Platinum for a while and realized I already get Marriott Bonvoy Gold through it. So what’s the reason people still sign up for the Bonvoy credit cards? I usually just charge stays to my Amex or Chase cards not super deep into points strategy but wondering if...

Just hit Silver Elite a couple weeks ago and honestly wasn’t expecting much from it especially after reading here how even Platinum+ upgrades can be hit or miss. But this weekend at the Courtyard Amsterdam ArenA, I showed up around 11am just hoping to drop my bags, and they’d...

Just hit Platinum and trying to understand how the benefits actually work. I’ve been staying at Courtyards and Marriotts across Asia, some offer breakfast, some don’t, and a few even give both points and breakfast. If a Courtyard doesn’t have a lounge, do Platinums get free...

I am here just venting these Suite Night Rewards feel completely useless. Lifetime Platinum here, 10+ years with Marriott, and not a single one has ever cleared. Tried different brands, seasons, and cities always denied. Starting to think they should rename it to “Suite Night...

Titanium here, booked a standard room and want to use my upgrade award. There are about 10 options listed, from deluxe rooms up to full suites. Do you usually tick all of them or just the top few? I’m not sure how Marriott processes it start from the most expensive or the lowest...

I am heading to Shanghai soon and trying to pick a Bund hotel. I’m Platinum so free breakfast is in play. Thinking W Bund, Westin Bund, or St Regis Bund. Haven’t been to China in 5 years and only stayed in Shanghai once or twice before. I’m vegetarian so curious if any of these...