BIG changes to Ovation Cert. Collections on Jan. 1/ 2018!
Nov 30, 2017, 4:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
BIG changes to Ovation Cert. Collections on Jan. 1/ 2018!
"Please note: Any 2018 Ovation Rewards reservations made prior to December 31, 2017 will be honoured based on the 2017 Ovation Rewards Collection listing. For example, if a hotel is moving from Collection A to Collection B and you make your 2018 reservation prior to December 31, 2017, Collection A certificates will be accepted. If you make your reservation on or after January 1, 2018, Collection B certificates will be required."
http://www.frhi.com/corporateincenti...llections-2018
http://www.frhi.com/corporateincenti...llections-2017
Remember that A is the cheapest cert. & D is highest--the opposite of what one would expect!
only hotels in Canada remaining in A are the Palliser, the Hotel Vancouver, & Winnipeg! All others now in A (most city hotels) will become B!
B --> C: Lake Louise, Banff & Frontenac!
Remaining at B: Jasper, Whistler, Tremblant, & Vancouver Waterfront!
Bermuda Princess falls from D while Pittsburgh rises from B to join the Southampton in C!
http://www.frhi.com/corporateincenti...llections-2018
http://www.frhi.com/corporateincenti...llections-2017
Remember that A is the cheapest cert. & D is highest--the opposite of what one would expect!
only hotels in Canada remaining in A are the Palliser, the Hotel Vancouver, & Winnipeg! All others now in A (most city hotels) will become B!
B --> C: Lake Louise, Banff & Frontenac!
Remaining at B: Jasper, Whistler, Tremblant, & Vancouver Waterfront!
Bermuda Princess falls from D while Pittsburgh rises from B to join the Southampton in C!
Last edited by Brendan; Nov 30, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Dec 2, 2017, 2:45 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Wow! 200 views but ZILCH comments?!
Dec 2, 2017, 3:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
Dec 2, 2017, 4:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Plat, 1 MM; SPG LT Plat (RIP); Marriott LT Titanium; Fairmont Plat (RIP), DL Kryptonium Medallion
Posts: 1,791
For most of us, the opportunity to use Ovation certs went away when the credit card did. I did two redemptions when the card existed, but if I had known at the time that someday the Fairmont points would convert into Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I probably would not have done them.
All other hotel chains do category changes; Marriott and Starwood do them annually. For Fairmont, the tricky thing is that there are some big differences between high and low season, and in some cases (e.g, Sonoma) by day of the week, and the categories don't address that. So the certs could be so-so to poor value during much of the year, but great value in certain windows. Also, base rooms weren't great redemptions but the suite redemptions were.
All other hotel chains do category changes; Marriott and Starwood do them annually. For Fairmont, the tricky thing is that there are some big differences between high and low season, and in some cases (e.g, Sonoma) by day of the week, and the categories don't address that. So the certs could be so-so to poor value during much of the year, but great value in certain windows. Also, base rooms weren't great redemptions but the suite redemptions were.
Dec 2, 2017, 6:10 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Ovation certificates have always been a poor value.
Dec 2, 2017, 7:16 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
The points prices of the Ovation Cert.s for Fairmont Visa cardmembers did strike me as a poor value, but what about the real-money prices at which Fairmont sells them to corporations & associations for their promos?
Dec 3, 2017, 1:18 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Oh-so-true, Spent! I'm just doing my duty in the spirit of FT to give other FTers a heads-up on upcoming category changes, as others did each year with Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc.!
Also, I agree with you on good value in high season/ mediocre-to-poor value in low season.
Also, I agree with you on good value in high season/ mediocre-to-poor value in low season.
Dec 7, 2017, 12:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
I'm hoping Accor's luxury brands are added to Ovation Rewards soon!