Feb 25, 2022, 8:38 am
Last edit by: goodeats21
*** It seems the Free Night Certificate + Points "top-off" redemption went live on April 29 or 30th 2022 - Discussions here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...on-thread.html ***
Starting March 29, our new flexible point redemption rates will go into effect. That means free nights will align more closely with nightly rates and availability. For stay dates in 2022, you can expect that nearly all of our hotels will have the same minimum and maximum number of points required for redemption — similarly to how they were previously categorized.
All the ways you earn points will not change — you’ll just have more flexibility when you’re ready to redeem.
Plus, starting at the end of April, you can combine your Free Night Award with up to 15,000 points to access more hotels you’ll love.
Our current redemption process will remain in place through March 28. After that, you will not see hotel categories (1–8) or redemption rates classified as Off-Peak, Standard, or Peak. At the same time, as part of our yearly redemption assessment process (similar to our annual category changes in previous years), the minimum point redemption rates will increase for approximately 200 hotels on March 29 — that’s less than 3% of all hotels. You can explore this list of hotels and decide when and where to maximize your free nights.
With our flexible cancellation policy, you can reserve your redemption stay and still modify your reservation if you find a lower rate in the future.
Want to learn more? Check out all our flexible point redemption rates FAQs.
When there is a redemption points rate drop, this info about how to modify award reservations -- on the website, not the app:
If you click to modify the existing reservation, and select to edit payment, it will adjust the points and keep the same reservation
HT to Schnit
Starting March 29, our new flexible point redemption rates will go into effect. That means free nights will align more closely with nightly rates and availability. For stay dates in 2022, you can expect that nearly all of our hotels will have the same minimum and maximum number of points required for redemption — similarly to how they were previously categorized.
All the ways you earn points will not change — you’ll just have more flexibility when you’re ready to redeem.
Plus, starting at the end of April, you can combine your Free Night Award with up to 15,000 points to access more hotels you’ll love.
Our current redemption process will remain in place through March 28. After that, you will not see hotel categories (1–8) or redemption rates classified as Off-Peak, Standard, or Peak. At the same time, as part of our yearly redemption assessment process (similar to our annual category changes in previous years), the minimum point redemption rates will increase for approximately 200 hotels on March 29 — that’s less than 3% of all hotels. You can explore this list of hotels and decide when and where to maximize your free nights.
With our flexible cancellation policy, you can reserve your redemption stay and still modify your reservation if you find a lower rate in the future.
Want to learn more? Check out all our flexible point redemption rates FAQs.
When there is a redemption points rate drop, this info about how to modify award reservations -- on the website, not the app:
If you click to modify the existing reservation, and select to edit payment, it will adjust the points and keep the same reservation
HT to Schnit
29 Mar 2022 : Introduction of Dynamic award pricing and removal of award chart
Apr 8, 2022, 9:26 am
#391
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
I think you are neither wrong nor unlucky. There is a definite "tilt" towards the properties people are actually looking for to have gone up - aspirational properties, vacation destinations, etc. These are the places where it was possible to extract 2-3 cent value before the changes, so naturally they are the ones that have tended to go up.
More mundane properties that weren't a great deal on points before might have gone down a bit, such as the Coruna AC example above.
I can't say it is a good thing, but I get it. Booking $1,500 /night properties for 70k points wasn't really sustainable on either side.
More mundane properties that weren't a great deal on points before might have gone down a bit, such as the Coruna AC example above.
I can't say it is a good thing, but I get it. Booking $1,500 /night properties for 70k points wasn't really sustainable on either side.
A lot of luxury properties apply special deals trough luxury travel agents and / or must apply long list of benefits to those that are booking at the full rate.
I don’t know how much was the hotel receiving from Marriott for a booking made with 70k points, but for sure the increase on points is huge
I can understand a 5/10/15% increase, also given the period where everything is increasing its price, but when there is a 20/30/50% increase it’s just speculation and devaluation
and I can’t believe they were loosing money before, for years …
Apr 8, 2022, 11:09 am
#392
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,030
At this point, I would just keep the 3-day stay as-is and consider it a cushion for late checkout on day 2, etc.
Apr 9, 2022, 1:32 pm
#393
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: GUM
Programs: OWE, *Gold, STE+, Globalist, Titanium, Spire, Diamond
Posts: 551
Thanks for the reply but it’s more convenient to just rebook elsewhere since I wouldn’t use the late checkout. I saw a similar response on a different thread prior to posting but unfortunately different situation so thought I’d ask here.
Apr 11, 2022, 4:15 pm
#394
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriot LTG
Posts: 614
well i've been checking one of my prior bookings (5x nights at cat 8) made right before the deval, it immediately it went up 45K and as time went on it on for a checkin next week it's now actually down 45K overall. so keep checking and you can get them repriced, had to call it bc the website is so bad but worth the effort
Apr 11, 2022, 8:18 pm
#395
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Bonvoy ambassador - lifetime plat / Hilton diamond / hyatt globalist / AA CK baby!
Posts: 882
well i take it back when i said dynamic pricing wasnt the end of the world.
i used to book top notch suites in london for 15 days for about a million points with a little over 10k sterling co-pay for the upgrade. for a good few cents per point value this way.
now the same room is about a million points (same as before) with a FIFTY THOUSAND cash co-pay. ironically the cash co pay is not only more than the pre-pay rate, but it is more than the fully flexible, non-prepaid rate. so if you pay with points it costs you the points plus MORE cash. points now have a NEGITIVE value it seems.
and here im sitting on a stash of almost 2 million...
maybe I'll have to stay in the maldives for a month or two before the properties are free to set ANY pricepoint. At least that is still a pretty good value (eg at the JW)
i used to book top notch suites in london for 15 days for about a million points with a little over 10k sterling co-pay for the upgrade. for a good few cents per point value this way.
now the same room is about a million points (same as before) with a FIFTY THOUSAND cash co-pay. ironically the cash co pay is not only more than the pre-pay rate, but it is more than the fully flexible, non-prepaid rate. so if you pay with points it costs you the points plus MORE cash. points now have a NEGITIVE value it seems.
and here im sitting on a stash of almost 2 million...
maybe I'll have to stay in the maldives for a month or two before the properties are free to set ANY pricepoint. At least that is still a pretty good value (eg at the JW)
Apr 12, 2022, 2:31 am
#396
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
Generally I think the only place that deserves a redemption is the Maldives. I never redeemed points at properties outside of the Maldives except for 2, one was a 2 nighter in NYC during new years eve and the other was in Paris due to having a promo for Ambassadors back then of giving back 60K points. But please oh please, don't stay at the JW, the Ritz and the St. Reigs are far much superior properties.
Apr 12, 2022, 3:54 am
#397
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Bonvoy ambassador - lifetime plat / Hilton diamond / hyatt globalist / AA CK baby!
Posts: 882
The other .1% is that at JWs I've had far better treatment as an ambassador guest than I have had at any Ritz or st Regis.
Apr 12, 2022, 7:21 am
#398
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,722
This change really seems to have opened up some great-value redemptions on non-aspirational properties. Today I was shocked to see that Sheraton Rhodes dropped from 40k/night to 27k/night in peak season. I was able to snag 5 nights in August in a sea view room for 108k points + €200. Note that the cash rate for the same room & dates is €1600 - that means 1.4 cpp!
Apr 12, 2022, 7:24 am
#399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
well i've been checking one of my prior bookings (5x nights at cat 8) made right before the deval, it immediately it went up 45K and as time went on it on for a checkin next week it's now actually down 45K overall. so keep checking and you can get them repriced, had to call it bc the website is so bad but worth the effort
Apr 12, 2022, 9:59 am
#400
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
Apr 12, 2022, 10:59 am
#401
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Bonvoy ambassador - lifetime plat / Hilton diamond / hyatt globalist / AA CK baby!
Posts: 882
Apr 13, 2022, 1:52 am
#402
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
Apr 15, 2022, 2:59 pm
#403
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
I've got to say this rollout has led to some really irrational and unexpected pricing.
I'm looking at NYC next week, with cash rates at many limited service properties over $600 per night.
But Ren Chelsea and Midtown are both available for 40k, despite cash rates over $500, and Edition at 50k (!!!!), with cash rates over $900.
I'm looking at NYC next week, with cash rates at many limited service properties over $600 per night.
But Ren Chelsea and Midtown are both available for 40k, despite cash rates over $500, and Edition at 50k (!!!!), with cash rates over $900.
Apr 15, 2022, 3:03 pm
#404
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,771
I've got to say this rollout has led to some really irrational and unexpected pricing.
I'm looking at NYC next week, with cash rates at many limited service properties over $600 per night.
But Ren Chelsea and Midtown are both available for 40k, despite cash rates over $500, and Edition at 50k (!!!!), with cash rates over $900.
I'm looking at NYC next week, with cash rates at many limited service properties over $600 per night.
But Ren Chelsea and Midtown are both available for 40k, despite cash rates over $500, and Edition at 50k (!!!!), with cash rates over $900.
Apr 15, 2022, 3:08 pm
#405
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450