Marriott Rewards - Marriott Rewards/Ritz

My wife and I realized a few years ago that hotel bonus programs tend to provide significantly higher value per point than airline bonus programs. We got an Amex Starwood card, and over the past couple of years rung up about 225,000 points. We've used these points for a few free vacations, but our one frustration is that there aren't very many Starwood hotels that we enjoy staying at on vacation (we are somewhat hotel snobs). There are a few wonderful hotels, but there is not broad geographic coverage unless you stay at the Westins or Sheartons, which we generally do not like.

I'm beginning to think that we might do better with a Marriott rewards card. For a similar annual fee, 175,000 points would get us 7 nights at most Ritz-Carltons. At 25,000 points /night, that's a pretty good deal. Dollar per point it may be worse than Starwood, but my wife and I would enjoy staying at a Ritz substantially more than most Starwood hotels, and there are a large number of Ritz hotels available, so it has the benefit of being a reward we would really like.

A few questions:

1. Are there blackout dates for using Marriott points for Ritz stays? I can't tell from the website.

2. Is it possible to use Marriott points to upgrade Ritz rooms, or is the only option to stay in the most basic room?

3. For how long has Marriott allowed its points to be used for Ritz rooms? Is there any concern that they will discontinue this, given that the Four Seasons doesn't have any formal affinity program? Any reassurances by management given on this board? I would hate to go build up 150,000 points and find that I can't use them.

Thanks!

1. Yes, there are blackout dates and I would guess that they vary by Hotel. Make a reservation by calling 1-800-241-3333. Be sure to advise the reservation agent that you will be using a Marriott Rewards certificate and also give your Marriott Rewards membership number.

2. No upgrades using points as far as I know.

3. a. I am not sure as it has been a while. At least since 2001 as I found a press release from Marriott Rewards referencing their Ritz-Carlton properties. Probably earlier as Marriott International has owned 49% of Ritz-Carlton since at least the mid-1990s. The question bantered around here from time to time is, when will we be able to earn MR points at Ritz Carlton?
b. On a personal note, there is no more concern that they will discontinue use of Marriott Reward points at Ritz-Carlton than there is that they will discontinue the Marriott Rewards program itself. They could do either at any time, but I don't see it happening. Obviously they can sell properties, like the Ritz-Carlton brand or individual hotels for that matter (like Renaissance Jamaica) and then you are out of luck for future or current award stays at the affected properties.
c. There have been no assurances from Management on this board that I am aware of, but then again I haven't done a search of this thread to find out if management has made any such assurances.

BTW, if you build up 150,000 points and they drop Ritz-Carlton you can always use your points at the JW Marriott on Champs-Elysees, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa, or JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa just to name a few. Not quite the service level of Ritz-Carlton, but pretty nice just the same.

Graham

First, welcome aboard!

In terms of Marriott cutting off usage at the Ritz, I would doubt it. Generally, hotels put a percentage of revenue into a pool to support Marriott Rewards, which then gets redistributed to the hotel that accepts the points. So the Ritz does get some sort of cash reimbursement.

In terms of Starwood, keep in mind that you can use points at the Luxury Collection hotels as well. There may be a few that fit your needs.

Mike

My wife and I realized a few years ago that hotel bonus programs tend to provide significantly higher value per point than airline bonus programs. We got an Amex Starwood card, and over the past couple of years rung up about 225,000 points. We've used these points for a few free vacations, but our one frustration is that there aren't very many Starwood hotels that we enjoy staying at on vacation (we are somewhat hotel snobs). There are a few wonderful hotels, but there is not broad geographic coverage unless you stay at the Westins or Sheartons, which we generally do not like.

I'm beginning to think that we might do better with a Marriott rewards card. For a similar annual fee, 175,000 points would get us 7 nights at most Ritz-Carltons. At 25,000 points /night, that's a pretty good deal. Dollar per point it may be worse than Starwood, but my wife and I would enjoy staying at a Ritz substantially more than most Starwood hotels, and there are a large number of Ritz hotels available, so it has the benefit of being a reward we would really like.

A few questions:

1. Are there blackout dates for using Marriott points for Ritz stays? I can't tell from the website.

2. Is it possible to use Marriott points to upgrade Ritz rooms, or is the only option to stay in the most basic room?

3. For how long has Marriott allowed its points to be used for Ritz rooms? Is there any concern that they will discontinue this, given that the Four Seasons doesn't have any formal affinity program? Any reassurances by management given on this board? I would hate to go build up 150,000 points and find that I can't use them.

Thanks!

Hi, welcome to posting on FT (note you've been lurking awhile :) )...

I think you'll find the MR travel packages to be the best bang for the point, but they don't include R/C amongst the lodging options. Hence...

1. Best way to find blackouts is to call or attempt to book online. My personal experience is that you'll find plenty of availability except during the high seasons in resort destinations, in which case you'd be smart to call at the 350 day mark, or whichever interval applies to R/C.

2. When on an award stay, your option is to upgrade a room with points or money, at the hotel's discretion. You'll often see this on the booking engine online, when attempting to reserve a points stay. If it doesn't show up and you wish to upgrade, call reservations. IME, most properties suites (if this is what you're looking for) are only available from their sales department, but reservations can direct you.

3. Don't know for sure, but we've been members for a few years and I recall seeing this option from when we joined. I imagine it'll be around for awhile. Be aware, if you make an awards reservation, and are issued a cert, and the management agreement changes in the future, the hotel will still honor an existing reservation, although I believe an e-cert must be converted to paper to be utilized.

Be aware that you earn MR points (from hotel stays) at a rate 3-5 times that of *wood, so the higher redemption values mirrors the earning rate. With the MR VISA card, we earn about 15 points per dollar at most Marriott properties, and we're the basic elite which comes with card usage. Anything you spend which is Marriott (beyond hotel charges) nets 3 points/$. We pay our timeshare MF's with the card and get points back, as an example, as well as promo getaways at timeshare properties.

If you like suites, you might wish to look into staying at MVCI properties, which are like an apartment or condo, although they don't have the white glove service of a Ritz property. They are also available via points.

Happy travels!

Pat

There are good and bads to both programs. If you have a bunch of paid travel during the year (so do not accrue from hotel stays vs. credit card purchases) you can take advantage of extra stay bonuses provided by hotels. Marriott tends to have some better promotions for this. It also depends on where you travel. I have stayed at international sheratons that were better than Ritz locations in the same country or region.

I really like the SPG policy of being able to use points if a room is available. The capacity controls for Marriott standard awards have gotten in my way many times.

Not sure how much you accrue per $ with the Marriott Visa, as most hotel stays get you 10pts/$ (or higher if Elite). SPG with it's 2 (or 3) pts per $ for stays makes the credit card spending more in line with hotels spends.

I know I am in the minority here but I just don't understand all the fuss about Ritz-Carltons. Every time I stay in one, I wonder why I bothered. I find them snobby, stuffy, and frankly, boring. Same decor, different city. If I am going to pay that kind of money and forgo points, I'd much rather stay in a hotel somewhat unique to that city (Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco, Peninsula in Hong Kong, Four Seasons Marunouchi in Tokyo) and not have to look at that silly breakfront full of china in every Ritz lobby. What am I missing that everone else finds so captivating? :confused:

I really like the SPG policy of being able to use points if a room is available. The capacity controls for Marriott standard awards have gotten in my way many times.

I absolutely agree with you. I acknowledge from reading other threads that many posters say they have no problem obtaining award stays where and when they want. I also acknowledge that I tend to want to redeem points for popular locations (Paris Marriott, etc.). But, as you indicate, I have been frequently unable to obtain a hotel I want, when I want it, even trying the first day when it becomes available on the calendar, almost a year in advance. The SPG program, as I understand it, allows you to obtain an award room, if the hotel has a room available for revenue booking.
It's true that Marriott allows an override of award capacity controls for a 50% premium. There are two problems with this: first the obvious, it is a substantial devaluation of accumulated points; and second, sometimes even though you are willing to pay the premium, a particular property may refuse to allow a Stay Anytime award. I'm not saying that this problem outweighs the many fine features and benefits of Marriott; but it needs to be weighed with the other pluses and minuses.

IThe SPG program, as I understand it, allows you to obtain an award room, if the hotel has a room available for revenue booking.

Not exactly, the SPG program guarantees an award room as long as a standard room is available for revenue booking. When a standard room isn't available, often you have the option to book a higher category room using additional points. I've run into this a few times when I had to spend extra points when standard rooms were sold out. However, I don't believe all Starwood properties offer this option.

I know I am in the minority here but I just don't understand all the fuss about Ritz-Carltons. Every time I stay in one, I wonder why I bothered. I find them snobby, stuffy, and frankly, boring. Same decor, different city. If I am going to pay that kind of money and forgo points, I'd much rather stay in a hotel somewhat unique to that city (Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco, Peninsula in Hong Kong, Four Seasons Marunouchi in Tokyo) and not have to look at that silly breakfront full of china in every Ritz lobby. What am I missing that everone else finds so captivating? :confused:


Just my take but one thing you can depend on with the Ritz-Carlton's...like Marriott...is consistency. A Ritz will rarely disappoint any but the most discriminating traveler.
Certainly you can find individual hotels in major markets that may be superior to the Ritz-Carlton but it's a hit or miss thing if you're not familiar with the individual hotels.
Selecting a Ritz that you've never stayed at or in a city you've never visited is a pretty good gamble IMO.