Not sure what stock options are worth now...

Stock options are often repriced or new options issued in this situation. The argument is that executives must have an incentive to improve company performance. There is no incentive without option repricing as old options are worthless. The end result, however, is executives always come out ahead as stocks always rebound at some point.

Just spent the past week @ the JW Marco Island. When we arrived on the 15th, they were at 100% capacity. When we checked out on the 19th, they were at 20%. They said they were closing two of the three towers on Monday(3/23)

Last month a first class ticket from PHX-HNL and return for October 2020 on HA was $1800. This week the price is $2800. I guess they are trying to make up their losses. I also noticed the same for some Marriott hotels.

Redemption stays CAN BE CANCELLED RIGHT UP UNTIL THE ARRIVAL DATE
&+ you'll receive your points back, ESP if you're Plat/Tit/Amb

You should reach out to your Ambassador because this is not correct.

Redemption stays are always W6'd and points returned.

As are all North American stays w/ 72hr or less CXL window if you're Plat or above.

Thing is... you gotta call to get an exception made for you.
can't be done online or through the app.
requires a rep to put a w6 waiver on it

But the category of the hotel changed - I can't even move dates or anything. I have to give up the stay and now the certificate is not the same value due to circumstances outside of my control. Really uncool that Marriott is taking this stance.

That's always been like that, though. If you had a paid booking and wanted to change dates you'd STILL have to pay the rate change, too - you just get the fee to change waived. If I book a room during an off-season night I can't be expected to change that night to NYE without paying for the difference in rate. Same applies to points bookings.

As far as canceling existing reservations, are there any special exclusions for event / room block bookings?

A friend booked a room a while back for New Orleans Jazzfest, for April, at the "festival rate". The link on the fest website took them to Marriott (marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1574445755511&key=GRP&app=resvlink), and the confirmation came from a marriott.com email. So this doesn't seem to be a 3rd party booking. But Marriott is saying that that they can't cancel thru Marriott, and have to contact the festival people.

Is that accurate? Should Marriott be able to cancel for them?

Hilton Honors, as a measure against the negative impact of Covid-19, sent the following email to its members:

• 2020 Status Extension. We are extending your 2020 member status through March 31, 2022. This means you will continue to enjoy all the Diamond, Gold or Silver benefits you have access to today for the next 24 months.
• Points Extension. We will pause the expiration of all Points scheduled to expire between now and December 31, 2020.

Will Marriott Bonvoy do something like that?
It would be mostly appreciated! Thanks Marriott.

hopefully Marriott will do something more reasonable and less stupid than Hilton. Honestly expanding status for those who in 2019 did not achieve the goals makes no sense whatsoever and will later on lead to once again overcrowding of lounges and inability of hotels to provide benefits. It is already bad at Hilton as it is ... nobody wants that at Marriott.
I am o.k. if Marriott waits till we all know how 2020 is going to shake out and then adjust the requirements appropriately down. They showed they are willing by already extending certificates and SNAs.

I am still using Bonvoy Hotels regularly during Covid-19 and I can confirm they are charging similar rates (or higher) even though occupancy has been as low as 2 rooms/night.

Its a strange algorithm they have chosen especially since:
-Exercise Room Closed
-Pool Closed
-No Daily Housecleaning. Instead, you are assigned a room and swapped to a new room after 4 nights. The Staff is required to wait 72 additional hours after you exit room before they can clean it.
-Lastly, all breakfast options (often included) are closed.

They (Hilton and probably Marriott) are acting in their own self interest here. Anyone who achieved status in 2018 may be a valuable customer and getting **any** nights in 2020 probably makes it a worthwhile tradeoff. Lounge overcrowding is not a worry at the moment or for the rest of 2020, staying afloat is.

I did a quick search but couldn't find anything easily.

I just checked in to a Marriott hotel that has signage in the elevator stating that due to COVID-19, they are not servicing the rooms daily. Once a week only.

It's a TownePlace Suites hotel. I'm not familiar with the brand as this is my first time staying at one. I originally chose this hotel because we have a multi-month stay and didn't want to hotel hop. They have a nice two bedroom suite with a full kitchen that I thought would be ideal. Closing buffet breakfast and not offering any substitute is okay with me. But not maintaining the room is kind of icky. There is no broom, mop, vacuum or cleaning products here for me to use. And even when hotels come in to clean during a stay, it's often mediocre. I'm out of here I think.

Are other hotels doing this?

I sincerely hope that Marriott will extend status for all of us that, for health or governement order, are not able to travel and reach the relevant number of nights in 2020 ! :idea:
This would make sense!
I qualified Titanium with 75 nights in 2019, but I am afraid that this year my travels will be mostly affected in order to renew for 2021.
And global situation is getting worse day by day, especially in my country.

I haven't stayed in a hotel that has not discontinued housekeeping service. They will change the bedding upon request. Ask the housekeeper for help if needed. Skip the front desk.