kaizen7

While we at this issue,
Can members from countries that don't have opportunity to earn elite nights from CC get reduced qualifying nights as well?

say 35 nights for plat, 60 nights for titanium and 85 nights for ambassadors (they can keep the spend requirements as is)?

stallion114

They already offer challenges to platinums. How much easier do they need to make it?

mileageking

Agree. Being Ambassador already, don't want 2020 nights and spend go to waste.

cw22288

It wouldn't be possible to reduce qualifying nights just for members without the co-branded CC. They have to separate those who paid annual fees and kept the cards. And AMEX and Chase need retention.

X-ON

I doubt that MAR will slash any earning requirements its easier to assign targeted double or triple EQN promos...If the recovery becomes U or L shaped then MAR will be in the doghouse especially if corporate travel is slashed ... then MAR might start to rethink their loyalty strategy (and so will the other chains) .... personally I hope for a V shaped recovery for all of us sake ...

kauppias

biz travel may be lost at many companies in 2020, they might have to dig deep into promos to get butts in beds

MSPeconomist

This would be unfair as not everyone who can get a particular credit card wants to do so, even if there were no annual fee.

kauppias

they should offer some form of possibility for CC nights ie meetings or the such so to make it even. could be CC nights OR max 30nights from meetings

cfabar1

Right now businesses have to think that they can’t keep making decisions 1-3 weeks out, which is becoming the norm with businesses I am involved with. Eventually, they will have to start thinking more long term. And likely what that means is that business travel will be extremely limited for the rest of 2020 - only when essential, key employees, etc. Whether there is a second wave, or seasonality isn’t real, employers have to start recognizing that business travel will become extremely limited.

I think Marriott will do some things, but I don’t see them lowering the requirements. If they had a better IT operation, I think they would follow the SPG model of “Select Member Exclusive” and create unique deals for members based on what they think their type of travel patterns, likelihood of getting a good ROI, etc. I’m just not sure their IT is up to that task.

kaizen7

While the initial post were made as a tongue in cheek comment, it actually show that MAR is already unfair to those stay outside countries that offer CC nights.
Not only we have to earn our nights "the hard way" we also have limited Marriotts footprint in these countries.
North Americans can still stay at Marriotts family hotels even in smaller rural town while in some countries Marriott only concentrated in the larger cities

The only idea I can think to even out playing field will be offering targeted double EQN promotions to such members.

But then again MAR is not charity so they will do their best to maximise revenue.
Their earning from those co branded CC definitely significant enough until they willing to give such number of night credit, free night award etc etc.

As for the topic on hand, I guess if Marriott want current members to be able to upgrade they might go Accor way, gifting current tier half or even full night requirements so people who still travel can easily upgrade their status.
Which might not what Marriott have in mind.

MSPeconomist

I hope Marriott is maximizing profit or market value rather than doing "their best to maximize revenue." These aren't the same.

Many of us avoid many brands in the Marriott/Bonvoy portfolio. These are the brands that would be available in smaller rural towns (which some of us avoid too, unless that smaller rural town has a very nice full service resort hotel, etc.) even in countries having that gigantic Marriott footprint, although the brands to be avoided might also be available in big nonrural towns and cities, including in countries without the gigantic Marriott/Bonvoy footprint. [For example, there are a lot of Courtyards in Asia as well as in the USA; I have no desire to stay in them regardless of location.]

Jaunts

In my opinion, if they were to relax requirements for new members to achieve a higher status, it should be on an individual basis. If they are extending status for everyone that had it in 2019, and then relaxing standards for status for everyone else, then there is no meaning to the word 'elite.'

escapefromphl

Marriott makes these decisions based on what is best for the success or even survival of the company. Whether any member feels ‘elite‘ enough is secondary. If average occupancy in 2020 and 2021 is 1/3 of what it was in 2019, the overall experience ‘elites’ have will not suffer even if there are 3 times as many.

cw22288

It's for existing Plat members wanna hit Titanium or Ambassador. And those who doesn't want their 2020 nights to be wasted.

Flying for Fun

2020 nights aren't wasted towards Lifetime Status!

James