GrizShel

MARRIOTT NEW AND OLD REWARDS PACKAGES POINT REQUIREMENTS 2009

SAMPLER / HOPPER AWARDS[/COLO 7- Night Sampler or Hopper packages (Elite members only)[/COLOR]

2+2+3 package (Europe combo)
150,000 points. Good virtually any property, however availability is restricted more under the old program.
BIG ADVANTAGE: If ordered in 2008, this will have a 1 year window in 2009 where it will be very flexible (you can search for availability throughout 2009; but remember this is only in Europe or Hawaii).

2+2+3 package (Hawaii combo)
150,000 points. Nothing announced, some believe this may be continued indefinitely, if so this is a great perk that Marriott Rewards is keeping for us! Awaiting further info on this. (last updated 1/3/09).

New: No hopper package per se, but equivalent cost is outline below.

For 3 properties anywhere in the world, you’re going to pay a fixed per night amount.
3 example scenarios (assume most folks who used hoppers did it for cat 6 and above propertiesJ)
2@cat7 + 2@cat7 + 3@cat7 = 245,000 points
2@cat8 + 2@cat8 + 3@cat8 = 280,000 points
5@cat6 + 2@cat8 = 200,000 points

So at least for these three examples, you are going to spend 50 to 130k for the same 7 nights (but you will be more likely to get the properties you want during peak travel periods); or about 30 to 90% more points in most cases.

Conclusion: If you think you can use the Hopper anywhere in Hawaii or in high-demand locations in Europe anytime before 12/31/09, then you should DEFINITELY order one. However, if you have a need for airline miles, you should take a close look at the Air + Miles + Car Travel Package first.

TRAVEL PACKAGES

Big change: Under the old system the sweet spot for hotel stay point requirements was 7 nights (decreasing point requirements per night up to 7 nights), matching the number of nights awarded with travel packages, this contributed to making them a very good value. Under the new system in 2009, the sweet spot is discrete at 5 nights. While the cost per night of the package hotel stay is much higher in 2009, the added points cost for conversion to airline miles is not changing.

Here are some sample comparisons:

Example # 1
OLD: 7 Nights Category 5 Property + 100k Miles (Available for Most US airlines) = 215,000 Points.
NEW: If your property remains a Category 5, then the cost is 250,000 Points. Should your property soon change to a Category 6, then the cost would be 280,000 Points (such changes have not been announced at this date, but Marriott Rewards has a history of category creep).

Example # 2
If we change the above to the package with 120k miles, then the OLD cost is 250,000 and the NEW cost is 300,000 to 330,000 Points.

Example # 3
OLD: 7 Nights Category 7 Property + 120k Miles (most US airlines) = 270,000 Points.
NEW: For Category 7 package, the cost is 330,000 Points. However, some properties have already been bumped up to a new Category 8; the cost of the package then would be 360,000 Points


Note that there are an infinite number of ways to compare the old and new point redemption systems, I’ve jus tried to list a few of the most relevant (at least for me) comparisons.

Using these selected comparisons, the percentage increase in change in points requirements are:

HOTEL ONLY: Old Hoppers vs Some New 7-night Combinations
33 to 87% increase in Points needed.

TRAVEL PACKAGE: Selected Comparisons of Category 5 to 8 Hotels and 100k to 120k Airline Miles.
14 to 33% increase in Points needed.

Conclusion: If you need airline miles and know where you want a higher end hotel for 6 or 7 nights in 2009, order a package. If you'll need to make changes to the hotel part in 2009, you'll need to be clear on what changes are going to be allowed in 2009 and predict whether they will work for you.