Frenchmans Cove Question

[glarscast]

TUGgers -
I'm in beautiful St Thomas right now. We will be booking the dinner cruise for an evening this week which leaves from the Cove's dock. My question is about maximizing Bonvoy points. I can book it from the Bonvoy Moments website and get 10 points per dollar plus the 6 points per dollar for using my Bonvoy credit card. My question is if I book through the Adventure Desk down by the pool will it be billed to my room charge and result in 15 points per dollar (Platinum) plus the 6 points from the credit card? Anyone have experience with Bonvoy points from the Adventure Desk at Marriotts Frenchmans Cove?
Thanks,
Ron

 

[glarscast]

I have the identical question about the night kayak tour.

 

[GrayFal]

I would ask them at the adventure desk how it shows up on your credit card. Does it bill as a Marriott charge or as “Joes Adventure Desk”
If it does bill as Marriott and the price is the same take the option that gets the most points.

 

[BabyDoc]

TUGgers -
I'm in beautiful St Thomas right now. We will be booking the dinner cruise for an evening this week which leaves from the Cove's dock. My question is about maximizing Bonvoy points. I can book it from the Bonvoy Moments website and get 10 points per dollar plus the 6 points per dollar for using my Bonvoy credit card. My question is if I book through the Adventure Desk down by the pool will it be billed to my room charge and result in 15 points per dollar (Platinum) plus the 6 points from the credit card? Anyone have experience with Bonvoy points from the Adventure Desk at Marriotts Frenchmans Cove?
Thanks,
Ron

I was just there. At the Adventure desk they cannot bill it as a room charge. It would be better to book it through Bonvoy Moments to vet the points.

 

[GrayFal]

TUGgers -
I'm in beautiful St Thomas right now. We will be booking the dinner cruise for an evening this week which leaves from the Cove's dock. My question is about maximizing Bonvoy points. I can book it from the Bonvoy Moments website and get 10 points per dollar plus the 6 points per dollar for using my Bonvoy credit card. My question is if I book through the Adventure Desk down by the pool will it be billed to my room charge and result in 15 points per dollar (Platinum) plus the 6 points from the credit card? Anyone have experience with Bonvoy points from the Adventure Desk at Marriotts Frenchmans Cove?
Thanks,
Ron

this is actually very interesting. I just checked Beach Day at Honeymoon Beach on St John. It is $49 on their website, the same price you would pay thru Marriott. So you would get 4900 Bonvoy points.
I usually Chase Sapphire reserve which gives 3x points in travel but I doubt these excursions would code as travel.

thanks for pointing this out.

Just be aware that some companies like Cruz Bay Watersports will give you 10% off if you book on their website so it is always worth checking if you can get a better price.

 

[mariawolf]

Wonder if you can give any updates on how the renovations/building construction is at the Reef...….

 

[mdurette]

I was there about 18 months ago - they took direct payment when you booked, could not book to the room.

Are you doing the night Kayak tour? That has been hands down the best activity I have EVER done on vacation. I seriously want to go back to St. Thomas just so I can do that again. I'm jealous!

 

[glarscast]

Thank you all for the recommendations. As reported here, the Adventure Desk does not permit room charges, so I booked through Marriott Moments and got 10 points per dollar plus 6 points per dollar from Amex Bonvoy card.

The construction at Frenchmans Reef Marriott continued all week. Work crews were seen every weekday from about 7 am AST to 5 pm AST. Windows and glass doors have been installed on all of the exterior rooms and there is scaffolding around the entire structure. A 30 foot by 15 foot canvas banner on the side of the hotel proclaims "Frenchmans Reef Opening 2020."

At the Owner's Reception, MFC General Manager, Scott Derrickson, reported that Marriott plans to open the hotel in 2020, but he then quickly added with a smirk "My guess that means December." He also said that Marriott does not plan a staged opening, but rather will wait until the entire hotel complex is ready to open. Scott concluded by saying that he has been invited for a tour of the construction site the third week of November. Perhaps another TUGger could report back after speaking with Scott around Thanksgiving.

As I write this, I see approximately ten workmen on the roof and balconies of the hotel and a crane moving around the front of the structure. Interestingly, although the main building appears to be progressing, the adjacent structure near the parking garage remains a steel shell. From my balcony in the Tortola building, I can see directly through that structure to the greenery on the other side of the building. There are no interior walls and no plumbing fixtures in that structure at all.