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Bethesda
WHILE STUDYING in London in 1966, I received a monthly veteran's education check from the U.S. government. My wife and young daughter and I were dependent on this check for food and sustenance.
One Friday afternoon, when monthly checks were distributed at the U.S. Embassy, I was told by the disbursing clerk that he could not cash the check because of an improper signature, and that another check should be available the following Wednesday.
How, I asked, could I feed my family until then? He directed me to the consular officer, who said if I pleaded poverty I could be loaned five pounds. So plead poverty I did, and we lived on fish and chips until I was able to cash a new check the next week and repay the loan graciously obtained from the U.S. Embassy.
Martin S. Wolfe
Chevy Chase
Frequent-Stay Points, Cont'd
REGARDING John Cece's letter concerning the unwillingness of Marriott Rewards to return unused points from a stay in a Marriott hotel in Rome [Message Center, June 4], it has been our experience that a wide diversity in quality exists in the points programs of various hotel chains. We have accumulated considerable points with Hilton, Marriott and Starwood. Our experience with Marriott has been similar to that of Mr. Cece. Often it requires payment of double points to secure the free night(s) required. There is also delay and confusion because it requires a "certificate" to be issued for the award nights.
A couple of weeks ago, we tried to book six free nights next March (10 months in the future) in Florida with Hilton's H-Honors program. It became impossible to get six nights together because of alleged blackout days. A supervisor rudely stated that I needed to try for other dates and other hotels.
What a happy contrast with any request we have ever made through Starwood (Westin, St. Regis and Sheraton hotels)! If they have rooms available, you can book them with points. Starwood has no blackout dates and the amount of points (depending on hotel level) are always the same. When we have had to cancel with Starwood, our points have been returned immediately to our account.
Dave Dennis
Mt. Airy, Md.
I FELT BADLY for John Cece that the loss of one night's Marriott Rewards points was so important to him that it surpassed the wonderful memories of a 50th-anniversary trip to Rome! Since he had already booked the hotel for a night not used, and the hotel may have had to "eat" that booking with an empty room, he needs to understand Marriott's position.
