27 Jan : New points devaluation ?
Jan 29, 2025 | 12:56 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, DL DM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,368
I get that as cash rates rise due to inflation, points rates must necessarily follow. What I am very frustrated with is how difficult it's become to use FNCs anywhere. Hotels set their redemption rates at 51k or 66k or 101k and it's impossible to use a cert even when topping off, because they're just out of reach.
Jan 29, 2025 | 1:17 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL DM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,817
I get that as cash rates rise due to inflation, points rates must necessarily follow. What I am very frustrated with is how difficult it's become to use FNCs anywhere. Hotels set their redemption rates at 51k or 66k or 101k and it's impossible to use a cert even when topping off, because they're just out of reach.
With all the points inflation that’s happened over the past few years, the 35k certs should really be 40-45k now.
Jan 29, 2025 | 8:43 pm
#63
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2.3 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.2MM Gold | AS 0.5MM |MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,818
I think the 35k FNAs should be 40k FNAs and the Marriott Titanium Elite Choice should be 50k instead of 40k with all these stealth devaluations.
Jan 29, 2025 | 9:53 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: san francisco.
Programs: Marriott Plt, OW Blue!
Posts: 2,097
Anything less is an admission that your members will have to jump through hoops to get a “reward"
Jan 30, 2025 | 4:59 am
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, BAEC Gold, LH Sen, AF Plat
Posts: 210
Jan 30, 2025 | 10:48 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, BAEC Gold, LH Sen, AF Plat
Posts: 210
Hi it's me, author for Seal the Deal Travels!
Yes, I updated the chart to the current 2025 pricing and still working on the updates to the post and possibly be done in a few days.
Some key takeaways:
Some neutral/less disappointing news:
Yes, I updated the chart to the current 2025 pricing and still working on the updates to the post and possibly be done in a few days.
Some key takeaways:
- Increased caps across all categories
- New Category 17(!!?) introduced for North Island Seychelles. It's been labeled as a Category 8 for the past years after the official chart went away, but I also found zero award availability in the past, and admittedly didn't look into it much. Though, there's no Category 13-16 properties that I can find. Highest Category found from last year was 12, with Dorado Beach and Nujuma, RC Reserve.
- Increases are more egregious on the top-end properties
- JW Marriott Masai Mara no longer follows a typical Category 9 property pricing despite being a Cat 9. It used to just be RC/StR Maldives that were special cases. It might be updated to a new Category soon, but also might take a while like North Island Seychelles.
Some neutral/less disappointing news:
- Zadun/Dorado Beach pricing haven't changed
- FNC's still maintain similar level of effectiveness, but you might need a little bit more points to topup compared to before.
Jan 30, 2025 | 12:43 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium and LTP, TK Gold
Posts: 1,579
One hotel I am tracking - couple of weeks ago 52,000 for one night, this morning 58,000 points, and now (14:30 EST), 78,000 points.
As always, the lesson is to jump on the price you like and keep checking for price changes.
As always, the lesson is to jump on the price you like and keep checking for price changes.
Jan 31, 2025 | 2:45 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 382
This devaluation is beyond awful. This CEO Anthony Capuano could care less about the guests and just gives more and more benefits to the owners. He even said that a few years ago he wants to look out for the owners more.
I used a 5 night stay at a Residence Inn in Maryland just a few weeks ago and it cost me 63,500 points. Now it's 16,000 points more and it doesn't matter what 5 day interval I choose.
I looked at other properties I stay at and the points have all gone up significantly. If I wasn't a Lifetime Titanium I would seriously start looking elsewhere. Capuano is the worst.
I used a 5 night stay at a Residence Inn in Maryland just a few weeks ago and it cost me 63,500 points. Now it's 16,000 points more and it doesn't matter what 5 day interval I choose.
I looked at other properties I stay at and the points have all gone up significantly. If I wasn't a Lifetime Titanium I would seriously start looking elsewhere. Capuano is the worst.
Jan 31, 2025 | 5:06 am
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QRPC PLT/OW EMD; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 14,595
Are there a lot of businesses that never raise their prices? When was the last across-the-board increase in Bonvoy/Marriott/SPG redemption rates? We have to expect that these rates are going to rise occasionally.
Feb 1, 2025 | 3:02 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,252
I recall the last time FTers raised a major stink was the move from categories to dynamic pricing back in 2022. Same aspirational properties were affected first (eg Maldives) followed eventually by others.
Feb 1, 2025 | 3:14 pm
#72
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Kroger Plus, Starbucks Green Card, My Walgreens
Posts: 5,556
yeah people don't seem to get it, when travel demand is strong this is what happens. there are still tons of leisure travelers who have so far been pretty insensitive to prices. every thread about hawaii you see people wanting more and more freebies and guess what, the properties ain't gonna do it because they have a billion non-elites who will pay whatever and not ask for anything. It's market conditions.
Feb 1, 2025 | 3:24 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,865
yeah people don't seem to get it, when travel demand is strong this is what happens. there are still tons of leisure travelers who have so far been pretty insensitive to prices. every thread about hawaii you see people wanting more and more freebies and guess what, the properties ain't gonna do it because they have a billion non-elites who will pay whatever and not ask for anything. It's market conditions.
Feb 1, 2025 | 3:34 pm
#74
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott, United, Jetblue
Posts: 349
difference is they gave us advanced warning. We all know this is going to happen, but at least give us a chance to use some points.
Feb 1, 2025 | 3:53 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,605
Meanwhile, redeeming Marriott points is kind of like buying eggs this week. Maybe there are no eggs. And maybe if there are eggs, you're wallet is empty when you buy a few.