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 6, 2023, 11:12 pm
#736
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
Agreed. The entire Hakuba ski season seems to have no availability between mid-Dec and mid-March. Previously (pre/during Covid), I could have plenty of 5-night stretches to choose from. Now not even single nights in January and February.
Apr 8, 2023, 3:21 pm
#737
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: DFW - DL MM/SM, AA 5MM/CK, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 827
Just finished booking rooms for my summer road trip and was shocked by the points devaluation. I've been able to realize value of $0.01/point on redemptions over the past few years with the occasional find above that level. Have just booked eight stays in June and none of the point redemptions on offer were any higher than $0.005/point. I'm glad I burned a million points last year...
Apr 8, 2023, 3:28 pm
#738
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,159
Was able to book stays at valuations over 1 cent and higher for trips in June and July - just did some repricing and was able to deposit a nice 3K points into my account from subtle differences between this week and last week.
Apr 23, 2023, 9:31 pm
#739
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 155
I say with the Dynamic Pricing you really need to check your existing bookings very frequently.
We need 2 nights in Milan. Initially I used my remaining 50K cert + 13K pts for Westin Palace over the LC Excelsior across from the Milan Centrale. Then the Westin went up to 64K while Excelsior went down to 62K. 2 days later Westin went to 69K, Excelsior did not change still at 62K. A day later when I looked again, Westin back down to 63K but now Excelsior went to 59K... Needless to say I switched to Excelsior, especially learning that the hotel provides free shuttle on request to Milan city center. Our 2nd night I have to transfer UR pts to book the Hyatt Centric quite near Excelsior. So this works out well. The past few days Westin was at 63K Excelsior was at 60K...
It requires us to be more vigilant to check our existing bookings so we could take advantage when and if there are point reductions. It is not all bad. 5 consecutive nights have not been easy even in the long ago past, so I no longer count on such nice showing any more. Though I was able to secure several 5 nights in Hong Kong for Sept BEFORE China changed its heart 2 months ago. The point requirements shot up for a while then subsided down, although still higher than when I booked, but not a whole lot.
We need 2 nights in Milan. Initially I used my remaining 50K cert + 13K pts for Westin Palace over the LC Excelsior across from the Milan Centrale. Then the Westin went up to 64K while Excelsior went down to 62K. 2 days later Westin went to 69K, Excelsior did not change still at 62K. A day later when I looked again, Westin back down to 63K but now Excelsior went to 59K... Needless to say I switched to Excelsior, especially learning that the hotel provides free shuttle on request to Milan city center. Our 2nd night I have to transfer UR pts to book the Hyatt Centric quite near Excelsior. So this works out well. The past few days Westin was at 63K Excelsior was at 60K...
It requires us to be more vigilant to check our existing bookings so we could take advantage when and if there are point reductions. It is not all bad. 5 consecutive nights have not been easy even in the long ago past, so I no longer count on such nice showing any more. Though I was able to secure several 5 nights in Hong Kong for Sept BEFORE China changed its heart 2 months ago. The point requirements shot up for a while then subsided down, although still higher than when I booked, but not a whole lot.
1. what is "very frequently"... daily?
2. Is there a sweet spot? i.e 14 to 21 days prior to the planned stay, for instance...
Inquiring minds want to know :-)
Apr 29, 2023, 4:24 am
#740
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
Ten months to go, my five night 140,000 stay booked last month has dropped to 132,000 now. Last year it was 100,000, .
Cash rate for that stay is ¥500,000, so it's great value.
Cash rate for that stay is ¥500,000, so it's great value.
Apr 29, 2023, 9:50 am
#741
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Apr 29, 2023, 12:22 pm
#742
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
2. Really no set time - but if there is a pattern it is either very early (a year out to 10 months out), or closer to the stay (4-6 weeks out). - in my recent experience prices moved from 166,000 to 154,000 about 11 months out, and now to 144,000 about 3 weeks out (as one example).
It would also depend on whether you are looking internationally as exchange rate seems to play a role as well.
Apr 29, 2023, 2:05 pm
#743
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I just saw a very strange one today at a European hotel. I booked it in Jan for 213K pts for a 3 night stay in Aug. I watched it climb to ~233K pts. And boom, today it dropped to 167K pts (for 3 nights). I suspect it's an error so I want to give my friends a chance to book before I post it here.
Apr 29, 2023, 5:40 pm
#744
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
Apr 30, 2023, 2:16 am
#745
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: HH Gold
Posts: 212
I just saw a very strange one today at a European hotel. I booked it in Jan for 213K pts for a 3 night stay in Aug. I watched it climb to ~233K pts. And boom, today it dropped to 167K pts (for 3 nights). I suspect it's an error so I want to give my friends a chance to book before I post it here.
Apr 30, 2023, 3:53 am
#746
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Looks like it was a one day sale! Sheraton Park Lane in London was available for 52-58K pts per night for all of Aug. Now it’s back to 72-78K pts/night. I booked 3 nights for 53, 57 and 57K pts and was able to use a 40K cert + top up for the first night.
So I guess one should be checking daily with these dynamic prices.
So I guess one should be checking daily with these dynamic prices.
Apr 30, 2023, 5:36 am
#747
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: HH Gold
Posts: 212
Looks like it was a one day sale! Sheraton Park Lane in London was available for 52-58K pts per night for all of Aug. Now it’s back to 72-78K pts/night. I booked 3 nights for 53, 57 and 57K pts and was able to use a 40K cert + top up for the first night.
So I guess one should be checking daily with these dynamic prices.
So I guess one should be checking daily with these dynamic prices.
Apr 30, 2023, 5:41 am
#748
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I noticed the W London is also in the 50s for August, but I don't know if it was always that. I do not like the brand so usually don't pay attention to it.
Apr 30, 2023, 5:47 am
#749
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
I just saw a very strange one today at a European hotel. I booked it in Jan for 213K pts for a 3 night stay in Aug. I watched it climb to ~233K pts. And boom, today it dropped to 167K pts (for 3 nights). I suspect it's an error so I want to give my friends a chance to book before I post it here.
May 2, 2023, 5:51 pm
#750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Just noticed that W London that was 169K pts is now 234K pts for my 3 nights, so back to 78K pts/night. Another short sale!