Originally Posted by
hbcobra
Hi everyone! We are looking to book a five-night award trip (to maximize the fifth night free) at one of the future Marriott Category 8 hotels--probably either the St. Regis Princeville or the St. Regis Punta Mita. This will be our first big redemption since we took up the points and miles hobby about a year ago. The only trouble is, we are pretty confused about how and when to book our stay. I am sure everyone in this group will find it shocking that an award redemption in the new combined SPG/Marriott program could be unclear, but alas…
We are looking to travel in sometime between April and June 2019. It is our understanding that properties that are slated to become Category 8 will be available to book at the Category 7 standard rate, beginning August 18, and lasting until “sometime” (not yet announced) in 2019. But does that also apply to stays? In other words, if we want to travel in April-June 2019, would we still be able to get the Category 8 hotel for the current Category 7 rate? When would we need to book the reservation?
Alternatively, if it is not possible to book at the current Category 7 rates for a stay at a future Category 8 hotel in April-June 2019, would we be able to book now for a stay in January 2019? How/when would we need to book?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Think of it this way. New program Category 8 does not yet exist. Off-peak and Peak don't exist yet. Marriott has only "warned" us that these coming in 2019. Also, Marriott has not published what hotels will be in Category 8, although it's easy to guess that hotels that were at the top of today's SPG Categories and Ritz-Carlton Tiers are likely to move to new program Category 8.
When the new program goes live August 18, the highest category will be new program Category 7 (60,000 points per night). Today's SPG Categories, today's Rewards Categories, and today's Ritz-Carlton Tiers will no longer be bookable at the old point values.
When you go into the reservation system on/after August 18, and you look for reservations with points, you'll see what available. April and June 2019 already will be within the normal booking window. If there's availability with points, you can reserve it. Your confirmed reservation will be honored, even if the hotel's Category goes up in the future. It's just like making a $600 per night reservation at a hotel whose price eventually goes to $850 per night for the same nights; the rate on your reservation is honored.