Originally Posted by
CJKatl
Agree, read on...
The Aloft went way up, almost by 50%.
The Aloft was by far the least expensive points redemption in BKK. It is also usually the least expensive Marriott option for cash. It is now a higher redemption, obviously because so many people did the cheap redemption and not because of the cash price. The CY is now a lower redemption despite usually being more expensive. In the past, there was not much of a points difference between the CY and the Marqis/FS/LM that most people would pay a little more in points for a nicer hotel. People do not redeem and the redemption rate falls. It is clear when looking at Bangkok that they are following the old Marriott model and not basing redemption on cash rates.
BTW, the awesome Soi 57 FS is now a bargain at level three redemption. Great rooms and bathrooms, fantastic staff, very good CL, near the BTS. It is as good as the Marquis, Ren, JW or LM but much lower points redemption!
Yea, I saw the aloft increase. It has such a low cash rate I never took redemptions seriously and just figured people used cash there. Obviously that was an incorrect assumption as Marriott prices categories based on redemptions, which means people were burning points there. So for those that did choose the aloft, it will make it less valuable for them. However, the cash rates remain quite low - so if you like it there - you can still get it at a reasonable price.
Originally Posted by
CPRich
But, but...
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
I disagree with your cat by cat analysis. It is not a category one looks at but rather a property. Or perhaps a chain (e.g., Westin). Then within a chain some care more about certain cities. For some it will be a terrible devaluation, for others not so bad, and for some, it may even be a win. But let's be clear - every year without fail, overall, our points are being devalued. I would expect nothing less and for that reason burn my points each year rather than hoarding them.