Feb 9, 2019, 3:52 pm
Last edit by: swag
It's out now: https://points-redemption.marriott.com/category-change
PDF of properties sorted by brand: https://lacek.hs.llnwd.net/e2/marrio...ogram=marriott
PDF of properties sorted by brand: https://lacek.hs.llnwd.net/e2/marrio...ogram=marriott
Annual Award Category Changes - Effective March 5, 2019.
Feb 9, 2019, 3:06 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
That's what's most bothersome to me. They're making the certs ever harder to use. There were still a number of limited service Manhattan properties that were still achievable, but that list is getting decimated. SkyCity Marriott also really hurts.
JW Singapore at Cat 7 as well.
JW Singapore at Cat 7 as well.
There are other examples in the category adjustment that have destroyed value how ever little that remained from the previous adjustment.
I cannot believe how some can still defend the program no matter what.
Feb 9, 2019, 3:10 pm
#62
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Yes this was a focused, and thus particularly impactful devaluation. We can expect more of the same in the future, because Marriott's model, which bases award prices on award demand, will naturally result in driving the few remaining decent Cat 4/5 options into higher categories.
Feb 9, 2019, 3:10 pm
#63
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SFO
Posts: 487
peak pricing will hit those with kids that are trying to redeem points/certs
Feb 9, 2019, 3:11 pm
#64
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: 52,139
Feb 9, 2019, 4:09 pm
#66
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Yes this was a focused, and thus particularly impactful devaluation. We can expect more of the same in the future, because Marriott's model, which bases award prices on award demand, will naturally result in driving the few remaining decent Cat 4/5 options into higher categories.
But then, I would think that may create some movement back and forth, because if suddenly all the Courtyards in San Francisco cost the same number of points as some of the objectively higher-end properties, won't those Courtyards suddenly see a big drop in award redemptions the next year (why not spend the same number of points at a nicer hotel?), and possibly drop back down in the future? Or does that second part not seem to happen?
Feb 9, 2019, 5:20 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I wonder though if any longtime Marriott loyalists can shed some light -- I would think, if Marriott's points pricing scheme is based mainly on demand for awards at a given property, I can totally see how the cheapest properties in places like NY, SF, TYO, etc., are going to get lots of award business and thus might end up going up in price the next time around.
But then, I would think that may create some movement back and forth, because if suddenly all the Courtyards in San Francisco cost the same number of points as some of the objectively higher-end properties, won't those Courtyards suddenly see a big drop in award redemptions the next year (why not spend the same number of points at a nicer hotel?), and possibly drop back down in the future? Or does that second part not seem to happen?
But then, I would think that may create some movement back and forth, because if suddenly all the Courtyards in San Francisco cost the same number of points as some of the objectively higher-end properties, won't those Courtyards suddenly see a big drop in award redemptions the next year (why not spend the same number of points at a nicer hotel?), and possibly drop back down in the future? Or does that second part not seem to happen?
Feb 9, 2019, 5:24 pm
#69
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
After using my two TPs (NC 6 and and NC 7) and 500,000 MRs, I'm going to downsize on Marriott program. If 35k properties are hard to come by, I'm going to downsize on Marriott credit cards too. I use Marriott mostly for family vacations and I do not want to take family to some average 35k hotels. Some of the 35k gems have gone up in points.
Then it will be Hyatt and everything else. Marriott does not want our royalty. Not rewarded.
Then it will be Hyatt and everything else. Marriott does not want our royalty. Not rewarded.
Feb 9, 2019, 5:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
The category changes were predictable. We just didn't know which properties, or the scale of the changes. Very little good from this. It is nice to see the Bristol in Vienna drop to a Cat 5. That was the only hotel dropping a category which interests me.
On the other hand, the W Hong Kong going to a Cat 8? The W Hong Kong usually has room rates ~$300 USD per night. What are the Bonvoy Boneheads at Marriott smoking?
On the other hand, the W Hong Kong going to a Cat 8? The W Hong Kong usually has room rates ~$300 USD per night. What are the Bonvoy Boneheads at Marriott smoking?
Feb 9, 2019, 5:51 pm
#71
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
The category changes were predictable. We just didn't know which properties, or the scale of the changes. Very little good from this. It is nice to see the Bristol in Vienna drop to a Cat 5. That was the only hotel dropping a category which interests me.
On the other hand, the W Hong Kong going to a Cat 8? The W Hong Kong usually has room rates ~$300 USD per night. What are the Bonvoy Boneheads at Marriott smoking?
On the other hand, the W Hong Kong going to a Cat 8? The W Hong Kong usually has room rates ~$300 USD per night. What are the Bonvoy Boneheads at Marriott smoking?
If more values are taken away from the 35k level, then I see more folks are cancelling the Chase/AmEx Marriott credit cards. To counter it, Marriott should allow people to upgrade those 35k annual certificates. Or those reward night certificates become a liability. We do not want to spend the efforts to do the mattress run toward the end of the year...
Last edited by RedSun; Feb 9, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Feb 9, 2019, 6:22 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
I’m out. Just cancelled my Marriott CC and my upcoming paid bookings.
Burning through the rest of my points and then switching my strategy to something like hotels.com discounts or redeeming Amex offers. 😜
None of the big hotel rewards programs are sufficient to keep my business.
Burning through the rest of my points and then switching my strategy to something like hotels.com discounts or redeeming Amex offers. 😜
None of the big hotel rewards programs are sufficient to keep my business.
Feb 9, 2019, 7:37 pm
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Feb 9, 2019, 11:54 pm
#74
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Ah, Marriott and Westin Grand Cayman both moving up a category. Knew that points value was too good to be true!
Feb 10, 2019, 12:36 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
Yup, I was hoping to go with my family to Disneyland (after getting a one year extension on my TP certificate) but now it seems like that is out the window, at least at places that serve breakfast. This was a major blow. Also, the last two Hawaii hotels I could use my SPG annual night just got bumped too, so the CC is now in danger of getting dumped as I don't have a "desperation" reservation option anymore.