When there were rumors NW WorldPerks and CO OnePass might merge, one name that we came up was OnePerk :D

If we look at how much worse free domestic upgrades have gotten after the UA/CO merge, it seems merged program = less upgrade.

I am terrible at marketing, so let's get that out of the way. .That said: the name just feels off. All aspects of marketing, I'm told, are supposed to reinforce each other. Bonvoy doesn't quite do this. I understand the Bon Voyage connection obviously, and mentally I feel it's connected to "envoy" as implying status. But 2 things stand out.

1. I have to think about it. It's not natural; there's a tension from the missing "age" at the end which feels slightly uncomfortable. That seems like a negative.
2. It does nothing to build a positive. IF the program is a success, the name will just become natural, but doesn't reinforce whatever made it a success (aside from being unique I guess). If the program is a failure, the name will stick out like a sore thumb, and be a lightening rod for "Marriott had no clue what they were doing, even the name was dumb" sentiments.

So yeah...it'll probably be fine, unless the whole program is not. And if not, they'll change the name to something more generic and move on.

Things should be obvious what they are.

Walmart Pay
Samsung Pay
Apple Pay

Delta Skymiles
United MileagePlus

Bonvoy seems like some kind of hipster/millennial naming fantasy that doesn't make any sense.

Bonvoy(age) is about departure, not arrival.
The hotel stay is not part of our departure at the beginning of the trip.

Bonvoy(age) is about wishing someone well on a journey assuming some kind of travel and/or movement is involved.
The hotel stay is not part of movement like a cruise, or a flight, or a train ride. It is not the journey. It is a static destination.

"Bonvoy" to me means "Hey in appreciation of you leaving our hotel, we will give you some points.... Bonvoy, buddy... and you better spend 'em fast before every hotel becomes a Category 9".

They really should have chosen a name synonymous with arrival or welcome or hospitality. Not someone wishing someone else well as one party leaves while the other stays behind.

Since the reaction of 90-95% of the people on FT was something along the lines of "barf", I think they should have spent some money on focus groups. Obviously their marketing department is completely clued out as to what resonates with their most loyal customers.

And the fact that their customers are ridiculing the name, speaks volumes.

I see it as an attempt to be both "avant-garde" yet sooooo corporate-safe. They'd have done so much better had they chosen something like Envoy, Ambassador, or Explorer. Just think that the programs it replaced were called "Preferred Guest" and "Rewards".

At the end of the day... I just don't care. Give me my points and amenities (which they're failing to do yet again as I type this).

There has always been property-to-property variance in how well benefits are handled, but I've almost always been treated well, and usually acknowledged. Upgrades are always a space-available thing, though, and therefore not guaranteed (though some hotels don't put the effort into checking availability that they should). I really haven't seen that change significantly. But I've also always maintained that if you REALLY want premium accommodations, you should book them, and not rely on the chance of an upgrade to do the job, no matter your status.

:) Actually, I almost pointed out that "Happy Trails" is a pretty fair colloquial translation of "Bon Voyage" as it is.

If you want a French term that's more appropriate for a hotel, then why not "bienvenue" (welcome)? Other than too many syllables, hard to remember spelling, and the fact that bon voyage is one of the French terms common in English....

Bonvoyed will be the phrase used for destroying SPG's legacy, benefits and numerous cherished properties.

Seems like we both agree on a point ... per your quote ... "if you really want premium accommodations, you should book them"

As you'll read from my original post (included above as well), with the new Marriott, I have booked suites just to have to battle to get what I have booked once I'm checking in. Totally different experience from what I had in the past. In the past, if I booked something, it was certain I would get either "what I booked" or "better".

My experience now, is book something but you will get "inferior" or "at best, what you booked". No concept of loyalty recognition.

It seems that you are not reading people's posts and just keep reiterating that Marriott is doing great in their integration and have come up with a fabulous program name. My read of most of the responses here is that the name did not hit the spot. I agree with that. My first reaction is "What were they thinking?" I get the whole connection to Von Voyage but their name just doesn't do it for me. My view is that through an integration, the order of things should be:
1) Think customer
2) Think customer
3) Think customer
4) What can I do to keep customers from the property (i.e., SPG) I bought?
5) Go back to #1 above

Rather than smush two programs together and hope for the best. Oh, and we need a new brand, let's just pick a name and hope for the best...

Currently (after we all being Bonvoyed) I have getting upgraded on all my stays.

I did experience a "downgrade attempt" on SPG hotels prior to merge.

But I have to admit, I will definitely need to lowered my expectation after being Bonvoyed especially if I stay at The Luxury Collection Hotel brands (as shown by The Prince Gallery lounge access update)
Wont be surprised if in the future, all Luxury Collection hotels remove lounge benefit altogether.

Thanks for fixing my points :p

That's exactly the approach I see Marriott taking in their integration. Except, of course, that I would add "near term" in front of shareholder. I debated whether to insert "short term" but the problem is that it seems that 14 million members may have jumped over to Hilton per a recent article. So, maybe there is a "near term" aspect before you get to what a true long term shareholder value impact they will see.

YMMV, but I have found Luxury Collection properties to be the most generous brand with upgrades and other forms of Ambassador recognition. Despite having stayed at quite a high proportion of them, I can't think of many with a lounge, so it's not a major deal for me.