From 1 Mar 23 : Reduced (to half) points and ENCs at Protea hotels
Feb 2, 2023, 1:05 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,273
Shouldn't they focus more on franchising these premium brands first in the African Market? More likely people would just find whatever non-Marriott hotel that suits them if there are very limited non-Protea Marriott choices to begin with.
Feb 2, 2023, 1:24 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,312
It would be interesting to see where Elite members in Sub-Sahara Africa actually stay (there are plenty of choices in Egypt, so I won't make a generic statement about the whole continent) and if there is even a significant proportion of Elite members in Africa. I've been researching Africa options, and it does seem like there aren't many options other than Protea in many countries. Even in South Africa itself, there aren't many non-Protea choices, especially outside of Cape Town.
Feb 2, 2023, 3:11 am
#18
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,061
Originally Posted by Marriott
new ENC value (1 ENC per 2 Nights, per Stay basis)
Feb 2, 2023, 3:37 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,892
It would be interesting to see where Elite members in Sub-Sahara Africa actually stay (there are plenty of choices in Egypt, so I won't make a generic statement about the whole continent) and if there is even a significant proportion of Elite members in Africa. I've been researching Africa options, and it does seem like there aren't many options other than Protea in many countries. Even in South Africa itself, there aren't many non-Protea choices, especially outside of Cape Town.
Feb 2, 2023, 3:56 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
There are no premium brands along the Garden Route in SA... Protea is it in the 4 cities along the route. What this may do is push people to boutique hotels in each town
Feb 2, 2023, 7:09 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,527
Feb 2, 2023, 7:49 am
#22
Company Representative, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 99
On or after March 1, 2023 for a One Night Stay members will earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy® Points per $1 USD only. No Elite Night Credit will be earned as the two Night criteria has not been met.
Feb 2, 2023, 8:38 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,190
This is one of my biggest complaints with the Bonvoy program a dollar is a dollar and a night is a night, why do I need to look up how many points and stays I get by brand? Do I get 15 or 20 at the ST Regis or Rtiz?
Feb 2, 2023, 9:32 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,123
There are other reasons why they would make the change that don't involve people mattress running specifically to gain status.
Feb 2, 2023, 6:38 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G, MAR Titanium, HLT Diamond
Posts: 3,632
I guess we shall see soon when City Express integration starts .
Feb 2, 2023, 10:16 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,821
Interesting move from Marriott.
At first I thought the price is the reason, but then again Protea hotel price is actually higher than some of those Moxy and Aloft.
Wonder if Marriott will cutting down these earning as well.
At first I thought the price is the reason, but then again Protea hotel price is actually higher than some of those Moxy and Aloft.
Wonder if Marriott will cutting down these earning as well.
Last edited by hhoope01; Feb 3, 2023 at 6:40 am Reason: Per FT Rule 16 removed masked offensive word.
Feb 2, 2023, 11:37 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: AlFursan, AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Avios, Bonvoy, All
Posts: 1,486
I was a frequent user of Protea Balalaika Hotel in Sandton over the past 15 years. Love the property. However, I'll only be returning for the Bull Run Steakhouse and no longer using hotel side given that there is a wide selection of similar properties nearby. Protea only joined in 2018.
Shabby move Bonvoy!
Shabby move Bonvoy!
Feb 3, 2023, 12:22 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,239
More likely they don't want the kind of guests who habitually stay at these lesser brands rocking up at the luxury brands and expecting to be treated as an elite like the members who usually pay through the nose for the privilege.
Feb 3, 2023, 4:13 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,527
Feb 3, 2023, 5:25 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,312
Really, I saw some Protea in Africa for sub-$50 USD - I bet City Express will be the same. I haven't seen the same in Malaysia and Indonesia, but I don't look too frequently.