Originally Posted by
VisaW
Your lack of self-awareness is kind of funny. You're just as hysterical as the skeptics (of which I was and remain one).
Statements such as these are a big part of the problem. I have no lack of self-awareness. I have never been hysterical--especially when it comes to the Marriott-Starwood merger and new loyalty program. I've been anything but hysterical, I'm afraid.
I agree with you that it's not a massive devaluation (as I incorrectly predicted it would be).
Wonderful. Thanks for your candid admission.
But, it is from a practical perspective for many of us here, a devaluation in that high end properties on the whole seem to be getting more expensive.
No doubt, for Marriott members who redeem for Ritz-Carlton properties, 10 current Tier 5 RC properties becoming new Cat 8 will be getting more expensive by 15,000 MR points--or only 5000 SPG points with some perspective. A total of 16 RC properties will be getting more expensive by 10,000 MR points--or just 3,333 SPG points with some perspective. A total of 17 RC properties will be getting more expensive by 5,000 MR points--or just 1,666 SPG points with some perspective.
But a total of 36 RC properties will not change at all. A total of 10 RC properties will decrease by 5,000 MR points, and a total of 5 RC properties will decrease by 10,000 MR points.
So 43 RC properties increase in cost, and 36 properties don't change, and 15 RC properties decrease in cost.
At the same time, Marriott/RC members now have access to St Regis and LuxColl properties, including the all suite StR and LuxColl hotels that now cost a ton less than they did under SPG (which used to double or triple the points cost).
So it's a devaluation for MR/RC elites who redeem only at the highest end RC properties.
Of course. those same MR/RC elites who redeem at the highest end RC properties also get the benefit of 24 StR properties that decrease in cost by at least 5,000 MR points compared to now, too...and another 9 StR properties decreasing by 1,000 MR points. That doesn't include the 7 StR properties not changing cost at all or the mere 4 StR properties that increase in cost. (The StR Rome increases the most, by 25,000 points...coincidentally just as it is completing a massive renovation that makes it one of the most spectacular properties in the city and world. In contrast to my favorite US city hotel, the StR San Francisco, which drops an incredible 30,000 points...coincidentally just as it is about to start a massive renovation in winter 2018!)
Of course, those same MR/RC elites who redeem at the highest end RC properties also get the benefit of 45 LuxColl properties that decrease by 1,000-5,000 MR points, not to mention the 23 LuxColl properties that don't change in cost at all. There are 22 LuxColl properties that increase by 500-5,000 MR points, and only 10 LuxColl properties that increase by more than 10,000 MR points.
Sorry, that isn't a big devaluation overall when compared to the entire Marriott program--not even with regard to only the entire luxury portfolio.
It's worth mention that for SPG elites, all of the above hotels cost barely more. Even the Tier 5 RC properties cost barely more from the SPG perspective--and less than the top StR and LuxColl properties do now. it's largely a revaluation for SPG elites.
Obviously many MR members are content redeeming 15,000 points for a Fairfield Inn on I-95. Most members of this forum are not those members. Big cities are getting hit hardest, just as many predicted; and the list released today doesn't answer the peak/off-peak questions that will truly determine how much of a devaluation this will be.
There always are some winners and losers whenever there are changes. That you see yourself as a loser doesn't discount the simple fact that there still are far more winners and those who break even, even among those who redeem with RC, StR, and Lux Coll and at properties in the big cities.