Originally Posted by
silverfalls
So far we had to put up with lack of platinum benefits...now on top of it...point devaluation....Bye bye Marriott
All of the hotel loyalty programs have point devaluations, see below.
Originally Posted by
DJ_Iceman
It's clear that each of the hotel chains and each of the loyalty programs has its plusses and minuses. Some may be a better fit for some customers than others. By all means, if you find that one isn't working for you then try another to see if it better fits your needs!
But I expect that Marriott doesn't give a hoot about a small handful of vocal complainers here. Every year I suspect there is a pool of customers who defect, rotating around each of the chains. For every Marriott complainer here there is a SPG complainer who vows "never again!" and switches their loyalty to Marriott. So none of the chains can get too worked up about it.
To me, the most important thing in my hotel stays is to be able to count on a comfortable, functional room, a friendly and genuinely caring staff, and pretty much everything else is gravy. That's not to say I'm not demanding when it comes to wanting a stylish lobby or an intriguing hotel restaurant or a great spread in the concierge lounge or whatever. But Marriott consistently delivers the basics better than any other chain (I stay 98% in FS hotels). And they generally do pretty well on the other factors that take me from being a satisfied guest to an enthusiastically happy guest. That's why, even though I'm lifetime plat, I still spend most of my hotel nights in Marriott beds. A suite upgrade at a Sheraton or free breakfast on the weekend at a Hilton resort are worth a lot less to me than the peace of mind of knowing that Marriott will deliver a consistently great product.
Obviously other people have different priorities, which is fine. And they're even welcome to complain on a message board--that's one of the things this place is for! But don't expect me to join the "boycott" or try to bludgeon me into supporting it.
+1, the difference is people who are truly loyal, and those who are always looking around for a better deal, and the current better point promotion.
Originally Posted by
PWMFlyer19
I will continue to stay at Marriotts when it fits the need, however, I will be cancelling my Marriott credit card. The annual fee is no longer worth the annual certificate and my travel has declined or is varied enough that he bonus points are not worth the CC. I will also probably stay else when the megabonus is a certificate. I can't use them much in Boston now which is where we want to get away for a weekend where we go. Still a couple options on 128 but nothing "downtown" (Courtyard in Brookline used to be a good cat 5 option).
For work right now, staying at carlson hotels because of the triple bonus points. I have always favored bonus points over the annual certs anyway so I can save them for a vacation for a week somewhere.
Cheers.
What do you pay for your annual fee? And how is the extra bonus points on Marriott stays alone and the extra benefits for $3,000 spend on the credit card not enough to justify the annual fee?
Originally Posted by
kmwjes
I am not completely boycotting Marriott however the diminished program has driven my stays to under $45 SHS/FI stays and LNF rates that are very competitive.
Higher revenue stays are at Hilton.
For those people who are thinking of decamping from Marriott to move to Hilton or other chains due to the MR changes just announced, you should know that Marriott is no different than all of the chains in having annual changes to their rewards programs.
Today, Hilton announced expansion to TEN awards categories, and also seasonal differences for points redemptions (something Marriott does not yet have), as well as elites get fifth night free after four awards nights (something Marriott has had for at least two years already). In the grand scheme of things, Marriott really is not that bad.