BillT

Ok after a 2.5 year lull, we are headed back to the land of smiles in November. Out Nov 1st , back Nov. 12. We are using United FF miles and hotel points. The route is Houston to London on United and then London to Bangkopk on Thai. I booked online and got good seats for the United segments and then was able to call Thai and got great seats on the Thai segments. The layover in London is just under 3 hours.

We have not booked the hotel as yet but at the moment the Four Points Sheraton looks like the best value in using points and cash - 1600 points plus $30 per night.
I have ruled out the ROS due to the skytrain issue- just want easy access to the skytrain and subway. I considered the Marriott Courtyard but Four Points is a much better deal points wise. ( Marriott really needs to implement a points and cash option like the other chains).

simpsonc510

Marriott DOES have a points plus cash option, but it isn't always available. We just used points + cash at Renaissance in Lucerne Switzerland last month. I don't get offered this option very often, so I was surprised we could do it.

rhkkmk

i was going to suggest nov to you but then i held back as i assumed you had a reason for 1st of the year..

some of us will be in bkk when you are: hawaiiantraveller, us, mcbeanie snd maybe more..

karen and i will be at the anantara (former marriott) until nov 5 when we go to khao lak... why don't you come to the jw marriott there with us??

rhkkmk

ok, carol, now you have to come the 1st of november!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

simpsonc510

Bob Bob Bob.... You don't understand about scheduling. The 1st of November is not easy for me to manage!!! Mostly, it's impossible. I wish I could do it. I have to be at home the first part of every month, for all sorts of financial stuff...

BillT

Bob- looks like the only day we will be able to meet up with you guys would be the 4th of November as we get in early on the 3rd and no doubt would feel the jet lag by early in the day.

Craig

Bill - Jeane and I will be there on the evening of the 6th. We're going to try to hook up with Pook and head to Gaggan for dinner, which is one or two BTS stops away for you and Olive. It would be great if you could join us. Too bad we'll miss Bob and Karen...

BillT

Craig - sounds good we will connect with you as we get closer to our trip.

Craig

Works for me...

BillT

Carol- looking thru the Marriott website one cannot find anything that talks about a cash and points option.

simpsonc510

I wish Bob would chime in here.... He does it all the time. I've only had the opportunity to do it in Lucerne. I was surprised that the option came up.... maybe because we did an upgraded room?? We had a jr suite.

rhkkmk

i have not seen any cash and pts with marriott, just with sheraton/starwoods. i do think recently that i did see something however, but i don't know where..

i've been doing lots of marriott res lately but none with C&P--shucks..

hawaiiantraveler

which one of you is having the "senior moment"?

simpsonc510

No senior moment here... I know for 100% certain that I used points plus Swiss Francs to get our junior suite in Lucerne. I have been offered (or it has been suggested) that I book with points and then pay cash to upgrade, I think it was in Pattaya at the Marriott Resort, but I did not follow through with that one, so I don't know what the offer would have been. I think the girl at check-in might have said something like "... you know you have to pay extra baht to get ???"

HT, I have plenty of senior moments, but this one is not one of those times. We just were in Lucerne a few weeks ago, so it's very fresh in my mind. The Pattaya one was several years ago, during our New Year beach retreat away from BKK. I always book with Marriott points because we are paying for our apartment hotel in BKK while going elsewhere for 2 days. I hate to pay for two rooms on the same night(s).

rhkkmk

often the hotel offers upgrades at check in, is that what you are thinking?? i don't think the marriott on line site offers you that-- carol is too good a friend for us to battle.. at least she does not always stay at ROS...haha

simpsonc510

The deal was 'settled' at 30k points plus 90 Swiss Francs per night at some point when I made the reservation! It was not at check in. The Pattaya instance was indeed at the check-in desk, when we were checking out (I was asking about a future visit and trying to secure a certain suite) but we did not make it any further than that.

BillT

Swiss Francs???? Aren't they on the Euro. I have been all over the Marriott site like white on rice. If there is a cash and points option they have it well hidden!

simpsonc510

Switzerland has never gone to the Euro. (they are SMART)

Maybe a phone call to Marriott??

mcbeanie

So far as November goes, we leave IAH on Oct 30 and will be in BKK Oct 31 - Nov 2. We leave Nov. 3 for Bali, but will be back in BKK around Nov. 21. Of course, even tho' all reservations have been made, there's no guarantee that we won't move some dates around ~~ they have already changed 3 times since we made resvs. The only guarantee is leaving IAH. Look forward to seeing any and all Fodorites while we are there.

Sandra

simpsonc510

Hmmm, IF I can get to S E Asia in October, I have to head for home by Nov 2 at the very very very latest. MAYBE we'll see each other?? How was Hong Kong? Didn't you go there for a week in May, Sandra?