Originally Posted by
Horace
Multiple Choice Test
Pick the correct answer.
Question 1. During the announcement carried live on Facebook on April 16, 2018, David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty, said which of the following?
A. "We're moving to one combined award chart. We're going to use this opportunity for a drastic devaluation to alienate our loyal members."
B. "If you want to use points for Hawaii, act quickly. Full-service resorts in Hawaii will jump from their current 40,000 points per night to 85,000 and even 100,000 ponts per night."
C. "A" and "B"
D. "We're moving to one combined award chart, that's even better value for your points. As we move to one award chart, the amazing thing is we have more hotels that are going down in cost than are going up in cost."
The correct answer is D.
Keep drinking the Marriott Kool Aid!
There is no way Marriott is going to drop resorts in Hawaii or prime redemption hotels in London, NYC, or Paris that are currently Category 9 down to Category 6. Maybe a few RIs and CYs in places like Anaheim or Virginia Beach drop to a Category 6, but rest assured resorts in Hawaii and prime hotels in London, NYC and Paris will briefly become Category 7 in August and will then move up to a Category 8 when that is announced next year. Even if these hotels remain at a Category 7 for a year or two, it is still a massive devaluation! 11% more points for a stay at the Marriott Marquis NYC in January (assuming that qualifies as off-season), and a 55% increase in the number of points required for a stay at a resort in Hawaii during peak season or the Marriott Marquis in NYC during in the fall!
In comparison to the current awards categories, the points required to stay at hotels in Categories 5 - 7 will increase dramatically! From 40% more points for a standard redemption at a Category 5 (35,000 points beginning in August) to 100% more points for a peak redemption at a Category 7 (70,000 points beginning in 2019)! Even if just 50% of the hotels currently classified in Categories 5 - 7 remain after August, that is still a pretty significant change in the number of points required for a single award night and a massive devaluation in my book!
Regards,
RIP...