writerguyfl

I think you far overestimate the public's memory. Frontier got excoriated over their attempt to charge people extra to maintain social distancing this week. But, I'm guessing when the general public is finally able to make leisure trips without (much) worry, they will have long forgotten how Frontier acted.

[This is what Frontier did, for anyone unfamiliar: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wire...lanes-70546186]

Additionally, most people don't follow the ins and outs of frequent traveler programs. As such, I doubt that general travelers will even know whether point redemptions have gone up or down.

That said, I wish more people were cognizant of these types of issues. If more people were like you in terms of paying attention to the way companies act so as to reward ones that are good corporate citizens, bad companies might straighten up and flight right.

Sadly, that's a pipedream, as far as I'm concerned. Less that 60% of eligible voters actually vote in the United States. If they can't be bothered to vote, they certainly won't be spending their time tracking the actions of companies to ensure the "right" ones prosper.

rylan

I am curious if Marriott is also going to keep charging the outrageous 'destination fees' at many hotels that are in cities, especially since there is zero benefit from those fees with the social distancing restrictions.

yosithezet

Likely to see Cleaning Fees added as disinfecting the rooms will take additional time perhaps.

scubadu

Sorry but the proof of this statement just doesn't exist. People have been whining about this on FT for literally years (like almost a decade at this point) and yet the generosity of literally every type of loyalty program (e.g. airlines, hotels, rental car, etc.) has declined by the year (heck, sometimes by the quarter). Whenever the latest devaluation or change is announced FTers freak out and start the ritual "gnashing of teeth and tearing of clothes" and then very, very few actually modify their behavior.

Could this time be different? Sure, i suppose, but based on many years hanging out on FT, call me skeptical.

Regards

mahasamatman

There is zero benefit period. Social distancing does not affect the lack of value.

mahasamatman

So maybe 1/100 of 1% of travelers care. That doesn't change the truth of scubadu's statement. FT does not in any way reflect the attitudes or opinions of the general public.

arlflyer

Any loyal customers that Marriott hasn't managed to drive away already are masochists, and we who fall into that category deserve whatever is coming to us.

GarudaSoars

From LoyaltyLobby Today: Marriott Bonvoy Off Peak/Standard/Peak Pricing Getting Out Of Control?

https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/05/10/...l/?omhide=true

lowfareair

That's nuts, and seems to be similar in other parts of the globe based on searches I've done for decidedly off-peak times. Easy way for Marriott to fix this is to hard-code the system to require at least as many off-peak dates as peak, but knowing current management, that will never happen.

agjil

After checking the availability of properties I used to visit on a regular basis, I think Marriott actually loaded more peak dates for the rest of the year than last year before COVID19.
Just ridiculous.

writerguyfl

It's worth highlighting that the analysis presented in this linked article is of 2 hotels. That's 2 out of over 7,000 properties.

Until the author does a more thorough analysis, this is nothing more a clickbait headline.

fttc

So provide a more thorough analysis yourself. I'm sure others will want to see it.

Tokyoite

just click bait. only 2 hotels?!! laughable blog article. send back to editor with a F for Fail.