Will existing "Points Advance" reservations raise in price on March 5th???
Feb 9, 2019, 4:11 pm
#46
formerly smoaky
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 300
So much for my vacation
I have been planning to book a current cat 5 for this fall using points advance. I will have FN certs for all 3 nights, but won't have them attached to my account until this summer. As always, I would have been able to attach to the reservation then. The hotel is moving to cat 6 on March 5, which in the past still wouldn't have been the end of the world as long as I didn't switch my dates -- the rate was still locked in. However this language suggests my FN certs will be useless DESPITE locking in the current rate using points advance. Marriott you've lost a customer. I'm cancelling my cards, which I normally out a lot of spend on. You've screwed us in every possible way this time around.
I do await further clarification from TPG or someone else official from Marriott, but given recent developments one can only assume the worst. No reason to think otherwise.
I do await further clarification from TPG or someone else official from Marriott, but given recent developments one can only assume the worst. No reason to think otherwise.
Feb 9, 2019, 4:22 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,911
Feb 9, 2019, 7:04 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
Because there is a premium you pay in the rate for having the flexibility to cancel. There is no premium in the rate for the advance purchase. It is basically a free option as the awards are flexible and can be cancelled.
Feb 9, 2019, 7:17 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
If this really is true, it's the last straw for me, and my husband and I will be taking our business to Hyatt and Hilton. We have reservations for a big anniversary trip--one we've been saving points up for years (loads of business travel)--and we won't have the points by March 5th, but we would have points well before the 14 days in advance (the original terms under which we made the reservation).
Feb 9, 2019, 7:22 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
If this is implemented I will cancel all my Marriott/SPG/Bonvoy cards. I will use all of my stash of points and move my business to Hilton and Hyatt. This is the last straw. We are starting to see the negative effects of mergers. Less competition and less incentive to reward loyal customers.
Also, Marriott would be in breach of their policy that award stays should have the same benefits as paid stays. If I book a paid stay, and the hotel raises its prices, they won't get to raise my price too....I'm sure many people like me made many speculative reservations anticipating the increase in awards. If Marriott didn't want that to happen, they should not have implemented points advance. They will have a class action if they don't honor the original rates.
Also, Marriott would be in breach of their policy that award stays should have the same benefits as paid stays. If I book a paid stay, and the hotel raises its prices, they won't get to raise my price too....I'm sure many people like me made many speculative reservations anticipating the increase in awards. If Marriott didn't want that to happen, they should not have implemented points advance. They will have a class action if they don't honor the original rates.
Feb 9, 2019, 9:33 pm
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
I'm not one to support corporations, in fact, I almost never do. I hammer them relentlessly.
But, in this case, Marriott is completely justified to increase the award rates on points advance reservations. That is a tool that Marriott doesn't have to offer, I don't know any other programs that offer the same. You need the points/miles at the time to make the booking.
If Marriott is raising point rates, why should they allow people to game the system by speculatively making a bunch of Cat 7 bookings (when they don't even have the points) during the days leading up to the point raise? The entitlement is getting a bit out of control here.
But, in this case, Marriott is completely justified to increase the award rates on points advance reservations. That is a tool that Marriott doesn't have to offer, I don't know any other programs that offer the same. You need the points/miles at the time to make the booking.
If Marriott is raising point rates, why should they allow people to game the system by speculatively making a bunch of Cat 7 bookings (when they don't even have the points) during the days leading up to the point raise? The entitlement is getting a bit out of control here.
Feb 9, 2019, 9:40 pm
#52
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
I'm not one to support corporations, in fact, I almost never do. I hammer them relentlessly.
But, in this case, Marriott is completely justified to increase the award rates on points advance reservations. That is a tool that Marriott doesn't have to offer, I don't know any other programs that offer the same. You need the points/miles at the time to make the booking.
If Marriott is raising point rates, why should they allow people to game the system by speculatively making a bunch of Cat 7 bookings (when they don't even have the points) during the days leading up to the point raise? The entitlement is getting a bit out of control here.
But, in this case, Marriott is completely justified to increase the award rates on points advance reservations. That is a tool that Marriott doesn't have to offer, I don't know any other programs that offer the same. You need the points/miles at the time to make the booking.
If Marriott is raising point rates, why should they allow people to game the system by speculatively making a bunch of Cat 7 bookings (when they don't even have the points) during the days leading up to the point raise? The entitlement is getting a bit out of control here.
2) They did that this time too. For months, they've been saying to book before the change-and advertised that you could wait to earn the points. Now, two weeks before the change they are pulling the rug out.
3) Its the same as cash. If I book today, I don't pay until the stay-and I pay at today's rate. If its more later, I don't pay the prevailing rate. I pay the agreed rate at time of booking.
4) It's not entitlement. It's playing by Marriott rules-that they promoted.
If Marriott wants to cease this practice, I am sure there will be terrible backlash as people like this feature. HOWEVER, I think they have some legal problems doing so with existing reservations.
Feb 9, 2019, 9:44 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
Feb 9, 2019, 9:53 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
That doesn't have bearing on my statement. If I make the reservation, I am obligated to have the required points agreed at time of reservation two weeks prior to check in. That's Marriott policy.
Feb 9, 2019, 10:07 pm
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
You missed my point. Marriott owns the points and they can do whatever they want with them, whenever they want. They can confiscate them if they want. Read the terms of the program.
Feb 10, 2019, 12:23 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
Yes, it sucks, but I don't see anything in writing. Of course I could be missing it from all the pages, so please correct me if it's there!
Feb 10, 2019, 4:25 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Marriott specifically states in the Marriott Rewards T&Cs that they can change any aspect of the Marriott Rewards loyalty program at anytime with or without notice. If you are a member of the Marriott Rewards loyalty program, you accepted those T&Cs. Enough said!
James
James
Feb 10, 2019, 4:26 am
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590