[Update 2020.12] This promotion expires on 12/01.
[Update 2020.7] The discount is back — now 15% off! There is no specific end date for this round.
- Purchase link: https://gifts.marriott.com/
[Below is the original 101 news post from 2020/05/17]
Hotels and airlines are desperately short on cash right now, and Marriott has started selling gift cards at 20% off from May 11 through May 17. Selling gift cards should be a happy occasion, so why does the page look so gray? This is not quite an all-time low anyway, since Marriott runs promos like this every year. In the past, they were either capped, like an AMEX Offer (which could be triggered by buying physical gift cards in-store), or required you to act fast. This time there is no rush: the daily purchase limit is $5,000 per person, per card, per day, so buy as much as you want!
- Purchase link: https://gifts.marriott.com/
The gift cards do not expire, and they can be used at most Marriott hotels worldwide [be sure to check the terms]. Stays paid with gift cards are still eligible to earn Marriott SNP. If the hotel cannot process gift card payment upfront, you can first pay with a credit card and then ask the front desk at check-in to switch the payment method to a gift card.
If you do have a real use for these, consider buying them with the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (formerly SPGL). Based on firsthand testing, buying Marriott gift cards on Marriott’s official website can trigger the $300 Marriott statement credit, and you may even get refunded later. Of course, this card also offers dining credits right now [from June through August; see here].
Another point many readers care about: prepaid discounted rates are technically not supposed to be paid with gift cards. In practice, though, you may not need to worry too much. Based on firsthand experience, many large Marriott properties in the U.S. have no issue with this. You just need to pay with a CC first, then at check-in tell the front desk you would like to use a gift card. They may be able to refund the CC charge first and then apply your gift card instead. YMMV. Outside the U.S., Marriott front desks may be less willing to do this.
Hopefully hotels and airlines can get through this difficult period soon.