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
Mar 8, 2023, 3:36 pm
#691
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, IHG Spire, AMEX Plat
Posts: 599
cap no longer exists / published so every chance it could happen to all
Mar 10, 2023, 8:39 am
#693
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
So as we sit here in early March, when there would normally be category changes, the only confirmed real change we see is the increase in the per night cap to 150K for select properties?
FWIW I checked some aspirational properties that still seem to be in 2022 dynamic pricing range - Ritz Carlton Maldives at 110K points, or $2,400 per night, for example.
What clearly hasn't happened is a fixed point per cent ratio that a lot of people were fearing. That has preserved value in the Bonvoy program for now.
FWIW I checked some aspirational properties that still seem to be in 2022 dynamic pricing range - Ritz Carlton Maldives at 110K points, or $2,400 per night, for example.
What clearly hasn't happened is a fixed point per cent ratio that a lot of people were fearing. That has preserved value in the Bonvoy program for now.
Mar 10, 2023, 9:10 am
#694
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: AC 50K, Bonvoy Tit, UA Silver
Posts: 246
I have one property booked at 34k and now the lowest available points rate for the next year is 39k for that property. There have been slight tweaks in the lower end properties but nothing too noticeable aside from the 150k ones.
Mar 10, 2023, 9:21 am
#695
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: MB Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, UA Silver
Posts: 185
This looks fixed now. It looks to be bumped from the former Cat 3 to the "new Cat 4" with 30k pts max.
Mar 10, 2023, 9:12 pm
#696
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,527
So as we sit here in early March, when there would normally be category changes, the only confirmed real change we see is the increase in the per night cap to 150K for select properties?
FWIW I checked some aspirational properties that still seem to be in 2022 dynamic pricing range - Ritz Carlton Maldives at 110K points, or $2,400 per night, for example.
What clearly hasn't happened is a fixed point per cent ratio that a lot of people were fearing. That has preserved value in the Bonvoy program for now.
FWIW I checked some aspirational properties that still seem to be in 2022 dynamic pricing range - Ritz Carlton Maldives at 110K points, or $2,400 per night, for example.
What clearly hasn't happened is a fixed point per cent ratio that a lot of people were fearing. That has preserved value in the Bonvoy program for now.
I am seeing pretty high point requirements compared to cash rates for Moxy/Courtyard/Aloft etc.
Mar 11, 2023, 2:33 pm
#697
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 936
And at the low end. You can still get some former Cat 1 rooms in the US for 6.5k pts/nt, which is great for matress runners using points.
Mar 11, 2023, 9:27 pm
#698
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,527
Mar 12, 2023, 12:07 pm
#699
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
If you go back in this thread, you will find multiple posts asserting exactly the opposite.
The reality is there is still value throughout the range, just as there are very poor deals throughout. I think you're less likely to have folks posting about the great value they go on the Courtyard Boise or AC Irvine though.
The reality is there is still value throughout the range, just as there are very poor deals throughout. I think you're less likely to have folks posting about the great value they go on the Courtyard Boise or AC Irvine though.
Mar 17, 2023, 11:09 am
#700
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum Ambassador, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 58
Another Devaluation With No Notice???
Glad I booked the St Regis Maldives a few weeks ago at 480k for 5 nights peak pricing.. they are now pricing it at 600k points for 5 nights in peak. What was capped at 120k points a night is now capping at 150k points a night. Seems all the other Maldives properties have been raised (Ritz is less than STR) as well as other top resorts that used to max at 120k a night.....
Mar 21, 2023, 5:34 pm
#702
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
I have been monitoring a couple of sets of dates for a NYC hotel and a Berlin hotel over the last few weeks. Prices were at their lowest yesterday since I began monitoring, so I adjusted the bookings to get points back. Points have gone up today across the board.
Mar 22, 2023, 11:54 am
#703
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,459
Seeing prices over 120k at other luxury properties besides StR and RC Maldives now. Some 126k point dates in Kyoto for days that were previously 120k. Wonder what the upper bound on the band is now.
Mar 22, 2023, 12:19 pm
#704
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: MB Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, UA Silver
Posts: 185
Former Cat 2 --> 17.5k
Former Cat 3 --> 22.5k
Former Cat 4 --> 35k
Former Cat 5 --> 45k
Former Cat 6 --> 66k
Former Cat 7 --> 85k
Former Cat 7 +30k --> 106k (unaffected?) eg. Bodrum EDITION/RC Half Moon Bay
Former Cat 8 --> 110.5k
Former 120k max --> 126k
StR/RC Maldives --> 150k
Last edited by Tajador; Mar 22, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Mar 22, 2023, 11:49 pm
#705
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 83
With the higher point totals for aspirational properties, seemingly pricing out all FNC. Where are the sweet spots to you all? I don’t love the idea of using FNC plus 15k for a hotel I used to get with my 35k FNC and it appears from the random cities and dates I’ve chosen most FNC are for Springhill, Residence Inn etc. I know one can still save money ie pay $95 but hotel costs $200. Is it worth it for a Residence Inn? I’m not sure I have quite a few Marriott cards between wife and I. Not sure the FNCs are worth it, I was already having doubts in 21. Now it’s worse. Just curious what others think.
Last edited by Dreamwalker; Mar 22, 2023 at 11:57 pm