If you have top-tier status with Marriott Bonvoy, you’re no stranger to the problems redeeming the Suite Night Awards, which are given to those who spend many nights a year in Marriott hotels.
In theory, these awards are supposed to provide a fast track to preferred rooms or even suites when they are applied to confirmed reservations. Depending on the hotel, you might only get an offer for a room with a better view.
However, you can occasionally get an amazing room with your Suite Night Awards, like we did when staying in London.
Recently, the best I’ve been able to get with our Suite Awards was a room with a balcony at a Residence Inn in Cape Canaveral.
While several of our Suite Night Award requests have failed to clear, I haven’t come across a hotel that refused to participate in the program.
I booked a room for two nights in New Jersey and thought it might be a good place to put in for an upgrade. Maybe we’d be able to get a good view of Manhattan.
When I look at the reservation, here’s what I find.
There are premium rooms available for our stay, as I can book a room with a Skyline view with cash.
Instead, this hotel has opted not to participate in Marriott Bonvoy’s Suite Night Award program. Here’s what Marriott says on its website:
Not all Participating Properties participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, EDITION, Protea Hotels, Aloft, Element, Design HotelsTM, all-Suite Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club properties and Vistana properties. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties.
I get that some hotel brands do not participate, either because all of the rooms are deluxe or if they do not offer suites or deluxe rooms. However, letting a hotel opt out of the program, “just because,” is sad.
In addition, there’s no way to know if a hotel participates or not before booking a room. If you want to find out in advance, you need to call Marriott Bonvoy to check.
Contact a Customer Engagement Center for individual Participating Property Suite Night Award participation.
It wasn’t until I booked the room that I discovered I couldn’t use a Suite Night Award at this property. That being the case, I’m willing to let Sharon wear her Bonvoyed shirt when we check in to the hotel.
Have you come across this problem when trying to apply for Suite Night Awards? What’s the most unlikely property you’ve seen opt out of the benefit?
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