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
Feb 27, 2022, 6:08 pm
#76
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,511
I am already trying to plan my next February winter vacation.......looking at Mauritius, Vietnam etc.,.... it looks like some of the hotels have the cash rates readily posted but nothing in regards to point redemptions and/or it just says the hotel is sold out which would not be possible. I want to pull the trigger on some Aeroplan flights while they are still available but I have no idea what those rates will look like on points? Specifically Mauritius ( JW & Westin ) and also the JW Emerald in Vietnam? Just thinking out loud.........would there be any reason that they would hold out posting anything for point redemption until end of March? I honestly cannot remember when it comes to this far in advance - is this normal that it lags behind.
Feb 27, 2022, 8:39 pm
#77
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,708
Feb 28, 2022, 1:18 am
#78
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Marriott LTP
Posts: 138
In my experience, you will only see points availability up to 350 days in advance (so mid-February at this point), and very much dependent on the properties willingness to release availability.
In particular, you should check on Saturdays nights at midnight EST, as this is when the next block of availability 350 days out gets released.
The other confounding aspect right now is that many members are likely to be tying up rewards availability with either provisional, or points advance bookings to lock in rates prior to the March 29 and end of the 2022 devaluations.
Good luck!
In particular, you should check on Saturdays nights at midnight EST, as this is when the next block of availability 350 days out gets released.
The other confounding aspect right now is that many members are likely to be tying up rewards availability with either provisional, or points advance bookings to lock in rates prior to the March 29 and end of the 2022 devaluations.
Good luck!
I am already trying to plan my next February winter vacation.......looking at Mauritius, Vietnam etc.,.... it looks like some of the hotels have the cash rates readily posted but nothing in regards to point redemptions and/or it just says the hotel is sold out which would not be possible. I want to pull the trigger on some Aeroplan flights while they are still available but I have no idea what those rates will look like on points? Specifically Mauritius ( JW & Westin ) and also the JW Emerald in Vietnam? Just thinking out loud.........would there be any reason that they would hold out posting anything for point redemption until end of March? I honestly cannot remember when it comes to this far in advance - is this normal that it lags behind.
Feb 28, 2022, 3:28 am
#79
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
In my experience, you will only see points availability up to 350 days in advance (so mid-February at this point), and very much dependent on the properties willingness to release availability.
In particular, you should check on Saturdays nights at midnight EST, as this is when the next block of availability 350 days out gets released.
The other confounding aspect right now is that many members are likely to be tying up rewards availability with either provisional, or points advance bookings to lock in rates prior to the March 29 and end of the 2022 devaluations.
Good luck!
In particular, you should check on Saturdays nights at midnight EST, as this is when the next block of availability 350 days out gets released.
The other confounding aspect right now is that many members are likely to be tying up rewards availability with either provisional, or points advance bookings to lock in rates prior to the March 29 and end of the 2022 devaluations.
Good luck!
Feb 28, 2022, 3:46 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043
You need to have the points now. (and hope that you aren't #bonvoyed before hotel arrival)
Feb 28, 2022, 11:23 am
#81
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 6
I had some wishful thinking that dynamic pricing meant Marriott might also allow awards for some non-standard rooms for more points. Not suites, just standard rooms that aren't called standard because of a better view. SPG allowed this by phone. If Marriott thinks that's a giveaway, they could tie it to holding a premium card, Brilliant/Ritz or elite status.
I hope Marriott considers it someday.
I hope Marriott considers it someday.
Feb 28, 2022, 12:03 pm
#82
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,402
It would be interesting to see if Amex overhauls its Brilliant card (or creates a new ultra-premium card), if those CMs could be able to have access to non-standard rooms booked on points. Could be an interesting card benefit. Likely not a good enough benefit for me to hold an ultra-premium Marriott card but I would like the option to book non-standard rooms for more points too!
Feb 28, 2022, 3:41 pm
#83
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
I had some wishful thinking that dynamic pricing meant Marriott might also allow awards for some non-standard rooms for more points. Not suites, just standard rooms that aren't called standard because of a better view. SPG allowed this by phone. If Marriott thinks that's a giveaway, they could tie it to holding a premium card, Brilliant/Ritz or elite status.
I hope Marriott considers it someday.
I hope Marriott considers it someday.
Here's the example at West Hollywood Edition, which is going up by 30K points:
Feb 28, 2022, 10:11 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,000
Shafted again and again with last minute notices & changes
Many of us were waiting for Marriott to make the certificate top-up feature available in "early 2022." Marriott announced 3 days ago that this feature will not be available until after the devaluation. Hence, I have been madly trying to find uses for my free night certificates at hotels on the Big Island.
It appears that the devaluation has already arrived at some hotels, since only half the days show any award availability throughout March. The same Big Island hotels I checked show no availability in April and beyond.
Marriott making important feature and program announcements at the last minute once again hinders our ability to redeem points before devaluation. Bonvoy'd again!
It appears that the devaluation has already arrived at some hotels, since only half the days show any award availability throughout March. The same Big Island hotels I checked show no availability in April and beyond.
Marriott making important feature and program announcements at the last minute once again hinders our ability to redeem points before devaluation. Bonvoy'd again!
Feb 28, 2022, 10:21 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
I see plenty of availability on the big island. Nearly every day available, and even some low season pricing.
Mar 1, 2022, 2:06 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
Mar 1, 2022, 4:27 pm
#88
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Mar 1, 2022, 9:31 pm
#89
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,000
Hope they launch the points top-up feature in "early 2022" so I can use my certificates on a better hotel than the Courtyard!
Mar 2, 2022, 5:08 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,903
Is it possible you used the app to view one month at a time? That's never worked for me and usually shows nothing available.