Well it will be interesting to see what, if anything happens in the next few weeks. I know that this thread should be fun to read.
No offense to the OP, but at this point I take this as a rumor since their is only one data point.
Originally Posted by
welookgood.com
I already booked my Marriott award reservations. To lock in point levels do I need to redeem the awards?
Short answer: Yes.
For my 3 standard award weeks next January I normally wait to get the e-certificates in hope that AA or UA will come out with a 20% bonus for transferred points. That way I can get 20% bonus on the miles from a Hotel-Air Travel Package. Due to this unsubstantiated rumor, and as insurance against point inflation or an end to Hotel-Air Travel Packages, I am going to cash in points for my reward certificates today, 2 standard 1-week awards and 1 Hotel-Air Travel Package. If Hotel-Air Travel Packages stay around, point inflation doesn't occur, and a 20% bonus comes along I can convert 1 of the other two weeks to a Hotel-Air Travel Package later. Better to be safe than sorry. Unless they totally dissolve the Rewards Program, the certificates should be good. If you don't have the e-certificates yet, and the number of points for them goes up, then you will pay more points or at a minimum your bargaining position is much worse IMO.
As a side note, this also might explain why hotels like the Vail Marriott are in no hurry to release award inventory. There may be significant changes coming to the program that Hotel management is aware of and they are waiting for the changes to be implemented before moving forward.
While there appears to be conjecture in my statements above, I still take this as rumor and am just being moving up what I would be doing later in the year anyway. If it is more than rumor, then I will be very happy when it is announced and we can move forward, and hopefully that will be it for a few years.
Regarding SPG, I just called them yesterday to make an SPG50 reservation for the end of next January and there was no availability. The CSR told me to call back at the beginning on January as they wouldn't have availability for an SPG50 until then. I also did some math on the SPG awards and the earn rate/reward ratio is much, much worse than MR. HHonors earn rate/reward ratio is very competitive with MR.
It would also be very nice if Marriott Concierge or Rewards Guy would come forward and at least say whether an announcement is forthcoming or not.