2021 Category Changes ?
Jan 18, 2021 | 11:41 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,981
My guess would be most will stay as is and we will see little in terms of change this year.
Jan 18, 2021 | 1:38 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 2,009
I am curious to see where the rates go. I do find in some communities the points rate vs. cash seems to have absolutely no reasonable valuation difference, for example Asheveille, NC. However, the program is constantly devalued more and more the question now is how much more value can Marriott extract from the program.
I hope the new list follows soon, it would be nice to know if some properties are moving down. I assume many more will be moving up. Category 8 is way too big.
I hope the new list follows soon, it would be nice to know if some properties are moving down. I assume many more will be moving up. Category 8 is way too big.
Jan 18, 2021 | 10:18 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
2021 is going to be a slow travel year for most....a big step up from 2020 but slow nevertheless....maybe reducing cat levels might be a good idea for marriott to try & get people to use up their points....i don't see revenue rates being on the higher side throughout the year so using points at the majority of properties at their current level is not a great incentive at the moment....
Jan 19, 2021 | 6:35 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,651
Jan 19, 2021 | 6:36 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,651
One interesting thing Marriott can do is bring back old chart for this year. By old chart I mean when lot of hotels were a category low and cat 8 was on hold for a year.
Jan 19, 2021 | 6:56 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: IB+ Gold, TK E+, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, IHG Diamond
Posts: 14,206
We'll get more of the off-peak deals in 2021. Maybe few to no category changes this year. That's about it.
Jan 19, 2021 | 9:00 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,183
I'd love to see my final package (Cat 1-4) be usable at more properties by some category drops 
Jan 19, 2021 | 9:56 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,651
This is the one thing Marriott won't do. Category creep has long been their preferred strategy for devaluing, without having everybody scream DEVALUATION like an award chart change would...
We'll get more of the off-peak deals in 2021. Maybe few to no category changes this year. That's about it.
We'll get more of the off-peak deals in 2021. Maybe few to no category changes this year. That's about it.
Jan 19, 2021 | 10:52 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,040
Jan 20, 2021 | 7:20 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Programs: HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott nobody
Posts: 470
With the demand anticipated to be low for at least most of 2021, it would be nice if Marriott can come out and declare the off-peak rates will apply through something like September 30, 2021. That would be a sensible first step.
Frankly, they can increase their categories all they want, they are just devaluing their program. I don't have millions in Bonvoy points, so I can just make a choice between award or cash. 40,000 points or $89? That is an easy choice.
Frankly, they can increase their categories all they want, they are just devaluing their program. I don't have millions in Bonvoy points, so I can just make a choice between award or cash. 40,000 points or $89? That is an easy choice.
Jan 20, 2021 | 11:18 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,183
Jan 20, 2021 | 12:06 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 5,395
Actually there are some properties in Spain and Greece which look decent enough, AC Hotel Malaga Palacio or Fresh Hotel Athens. May be doable by July.
Jan 21, 2021 | 9:52 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,183
