After previewing this cancer that's now overtaking the most mundane locations, last winter in Florida, I no longer vacation in the US, period.

Take a long drive or a short flight to Montreal or Quebec, where you won't find third rate filthy hotels, with terrible, surly service at extortionate prices as the new norm.

Beautiful old world, clean, safe, cities with wonderful cuisine, culture, centuries old architecture on cobblestone streets and so many friendly people far enough away from this rapidly decaying country that, for a painfully short time, you'll feel like you've reentered civilized society again. And a bargain to boot.

Award pricing can be kinda funny.

I need to stay in Dubai at the JW Marriott mid September for a decent $160 per night; if I would use points for two nights they'd like to see 120000 for the stay!

Seems to be a total disconnect between cash price which is low (makes sense as its a low season in DXB) and rewards points requirements (which is closer to peak time).

No way I would spend so many points.

So this is good, you can choose what suits you best.

Dublin prices in September
 

We experienced this at The Shelbourne. I burned up the bulk of our points on Two nights at Mount Juliet, 40k per night, and was trying to hold one to one night at The Shelbourne. When I reserved the room it was 50k. As it was just a hold, the rate was not locked in. Over two months the rate went to 70k before I had enough points. I booked the night before with cash and locked that in at $599. The cash price rose to 900 in the same time frame. In the end, I canceled both nights and moved to Powerscourt. We have stayed there twice on the 5 night plan and loved it. Upgrades both times. The wife is lifetime platinum elite.

Agree - we all have an internal threshold for what our hard earned points are worth -- this coming weekend is our anniversary -- so I splurged and spent 296k points to save $4,000 at the St. Regis in PR -- and I would do it again in second -- as every day our points balance devalues....

What could be more sane than sellers accepting the most that buyers will pay and buyers paying the least that sellers will accept?

Sadly, Montreal and Quebec have a reputation for terrible service. You're lucky if that hasn't been your experience.

And based on my recent trip to Montreal, it shares the same problems as the US - extorionate prices and understaffed...

What a silly thread. Hotels are charging what they think people will pay and either 1) people pay it, 2) people won't pay it and the hotels charge less, or 3) people won't pay it, the properties are stubborn, and they go out of business.

If you want to really get offended, look at the cost of a Motel 6 during the Super Bowl.

Also, I had a friend who was forced into a COVID quarantine hotel after testing positive coming off of a cruise. She had to pay $300- plus per night for an extended stay, Motel 6 equivalent property.

Upstate / Hudson Valley is a popular getaway spot for three day weekends, especially in the Covid era. Leisure hotel pricing has been through the roof for the past couple of years, and I frankly don't see them coming down. Many towns are seeing what little housing inventory that is available snatched up for AirBnb.

The real solution is for these Hudson Valley / Upstate towns and cities to approve massive building programs of all housing/accommodation. Homebuilders should be building new single family housing, apartment builders should be building new apartments for rent and condors for sale, hotel developers should get permits to build new hotels, and yes, investors should be allowed to build new, fit for purpose vacation rentals.

Yeah! That way NYC people can go from crowding and pollution to crowding and pollution, all while emitting a ton of carbon to do so!

Coming over from Hyatt, I enjoy the vast number of different properties, but Marriott clearly over charges for their hotel rewards

It was a genuine question - if it's a silly thread to you, don't comment / read it

It is typically impossible to know whether it's a silly thread before you read. And upon reading, they found that the first comment makes absolutely no sense, which is true. You're complaining about cash prices rising. If it's a silly price to you, don't comment / stay there.

Dynamic pricing is what the program is about now and even more so moving forward. If you’re looking for value booking rooms on public holidays or over northern hemisphere summer, you’re not going to make out well. Think 100k per night for average hotels in year or two. Use your points now if you have them.