Rumor: 2014 Marriott Rewards Hotel Category Changes?
Nov 4, 2013, 8:38 pm
#61
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Nov 5, 2013, 8:29 am
#62
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I went to make a reservation for March 2014 and it appears that the Boston Marriott Long Wharf has gone to a stratospheric category 9, which seems outrageous, given that they were at cat 7 for a very long time and not much has changed. I've been staying at this hotel for some time. I dug up my old rewards reservations for a sampling of their rewards category over the last 4 years:
So, after at least 3 years at category 7, they remodeled the lobby and made it to category 8. After about a year at category 8, they are now up to category 9 with no additional improvements. Meanwhile, the rooms have not changed at all since I started staying there 4 years ago.
A weekend trip that used to take 70k points now takes 90k.
- March 2014 - Category 9
- March 2013 - Category 8
- Sept 2012 - Category 8
- Feb 2012 - Category 7
- Sept 2011 - Category 7
- March 2011 - Category 7
- November 2010 - Category 7
- Feb 2010 - Category 7
- Oct 2009 - Category 7
- June 2009 - Category 7
So, after at least 3 years at category 7, they remodeled the lobby and made it to category 8. After about a year at category 8, they are now up to category 9 with no additional improvements. Meanwhile, the rooms have not changed at all since I started staying there 4 years ago.
A weekend trip that used to take 70k points now takes 90k.
Nov 5, 2013, 9:01 am
#63
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As has been stated many, many time sin this forum, quality of a property has little to nothing to do with Category. It is all about demand.
Nov 5, 2013, 10:42 am
#64
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I bet its a formula loosely based on average room night rate such as 1 category "cost" for every $50, i.e., $450 or more / 50 = category 9.
Nov 5, 2013, 11:17 am
#65
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I'm not sure that would necessarily be true. I would think that if the categories are based on award demand, then there would still be a correlation between higher cost and more awards. IOW, the higher the per night cost, the more people would like to use points to stay rather than cash. So Marriott then ups the category level to control the average number of awards used at that hotel. If the number of awards used at a hotel drop (maybe due to a price drop or something similar), they will then lower the category level which would probably then increase award reservations.
Nov 5, 2013, 11:49 am
#66
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So, after at least 3 years at category 7, they remodeled the lobby and made it to category 8. After about a year at category 8, they are now up to category 9 with no additional improvements. Meanwhile, the rooms have not changed at all since I started staying there 4 years ago.
Nov 5, 2013, 11:59 am
#67
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Hmm...I'm trying to be very careful with what I say here....the first assumption isn't valid - the second assumption is kind of valid but only in the fact that loyalty programs strive to be cost neutral at the end of the day.....I know this will leave some folks scratching their heads but I do need to be careful with the information I disclose
Nov 5, 2013, 12:03 pm
#68
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I'm not sure that would necessarily be true. I would think that if the categories are based on award demand, then there would still be a correlation between higher cost and more awards. IOW, the higher the per night cost, the more people would like to use points to stay rather than cash. So Marriott then ups the category level to control the average number of awards used at that hotel. If the number of awards used at a hotel drop (maybe due to a price drop or something similar), they will then lower the category level which would probably then increase award reservations.
Nov 5, 2013, 12:31 pm
#69
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The only way quality affects category is that quality affects demand.
But people who rant that a specific property isn't worthy of, luxurious enough, whatever to be a Cat 8 or 9, do not understand the system.
Nov 13, 2013, 7:28 am
#70
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I went to make a reservation for March 2014 and it appears that the Boston Marriott Long Wharf has gone to a stratospheric category 9, which seems outrageous, given that they were at cat 7 for a very long time and not much has changed.
...
A weekend trip that used to take 70k points now takes 90k.
...
A weekend trip that used to take 70k points now takes 90k.
Nov 13, 2013, 10:38 am
#71
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To illustrate the point further - My wife gets a corporate rate of $149 at the Long Wharf so there is no way in hell I am going to drop 45K points for a night there. Last year she spent 3-4 days a week for nearly 6 months and I often made it to BOS for the weekend but we'd either pay out-of-pocket or move to a different property if we wanted to use points. I am with the other posters that I dont see this property as worthy enough for 45K hard earned points.
Nov 13, 2013, 11:19 am
#72
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I
To illustrate the point further - My wife gets a corporate rate of $149 at the Long Wharf so there is no way in hell I am going to drop 45K points for a night there. I am with the other posters that I dont see this property as worthy enough for 45K hard earned points.
To illustrate the point further - My wife gets a corporate rate of $149 at the Long Wharf so there is no way in hell I am going to drop 45K points for a night there. I am with the other posters that I dont see this property as worthy enough for 45K hard earned points.
But as Vicki mentions, categories are based on a combo of things.
Cheers.