I'm not an insider, but that sounds ludicrous on its face. AA is simply selling miles to Marriott. Why would a vendor want to discontinue business selling to a customer? I would assume they couldn't agree on a contract renewal price.

To Marriott Concierge:

I suggest Marriott find a way to "agree on terms to continue the relationship." It seems to me that Marriott is getting pretty arrogant, and thinks that its brand stands on its own merits. I think that's a pretty cocky attitude to have, particularly in a down economy. I personally believe that partnerships are essential to a company's well being. Although Marriott had not alienated me up until this point (but came close), the loss of Marriott's partnership with American Airlines is the icing on the cake. The Marriott Rewards program has gone to hell. One of the remaining few benefits (and I hesitantly say "few") was one's ability to derive AA miles in a travel package.

This comes on the heels of Marriott allowing the owners (Host) of the JW Marriott Desert Springs (California) to retract (not renew) the spa/recreational privileges for Desert Springs Villas I timeshare owners. This, to me, is further evidence of the erosion of the Marriott brand.

I keep on hearing rumors from Marriott staff that J.W. Jr. is nearing retirement, and that with his departure will come the loss of "Marriott (family) values." I'm not certain who's calling the shots today, but Marriott's senior leadership is left to answer the question how did this occur.

To Marriott, I bid farewell.

What are travel packages? Can one buy one even if one does not know where one wants to go? Then set the destination later on?

This blows for me as well

I really do need to rethink my relationship with MR now as well.. this was one of the MAJOR reasons I stick/stuck with MR despite all the issues I have with the MR program

I can't say I"m leaving but I sure will think about it

on that note

Can I make a double redemption for points to Miles? .. i.e. redeem for two packages to get the miles in now to my AA account?

Over at the AA forum, someone mentions Marriott may be the one lowering the price it is willing to pay for the AA miles, and AA would not budge. Anyway, I sent both of them an email to let them know how disappointed I am.

With a MVC membership, I only see the management fee going up while the value of experiences/products/services going downhill. I am not happy with Marriott at all. :td:

Of course!

Looks like the concierge lounges are going to be less busy going forward.

Hopefully they won't close them.

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi

One can redeem a TP, receive the hotel certificate, and decide on the destination/hotel later. Although the hotel certificate is valid for one year, many people say it can be extended indefinitely. I haven't tried it, so I don't know.

Could be the other hotel chains haven't changed anything because their contracts w/AA(and, for that matter, other airlines w/Marriott) are not yet up for renewal. You can be sure they -will- be watching to see how this affects biz, + as well as -.

There's probably not too much diff at the corporate bean counter level between any of these outfits. If Marriott/AA can part ways, all of the other hotels/airlines will be running spreadsheets and cost benefit analysis out the wazoo to see if they can get away with dropping this too.

Thanks.

Is the 7 nights consecutive at one hotel or can one break it up into multiple trips at different facilities?

This is simply awful news! Add my name to the list of dissatisfied soon to be ex-Marriott customers!

A crippling blow to the Marriott Rewards program.

It is 7 consecutive nights at one hotel and you cannot break it up into multiple stays of 7 nights. This is a drawback of the program.

Thanks. I guess it makes sense if one takes nice vacations. I already spend so much time in hotels that I cannot imagine doing another 7 days for relaxation. Rather be home.

Too bad about the AA breakup. Is about the only airline I fly.

100% Agreed. Serious question: why not just bump AA to the tier of airlines . . .

(along with Air Berlin, Air China, Air France/KLM, Alitalia, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, LAN, Lufthansa/Miles & More, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and TAP Air Portugal)

. . . whose miles are a bit more expensive? I think we all can agree AA miles are worth more than other airline miles, because they also count towards lifetime status.

There may be more to it than meets the eye. Remember "Up In the Air" featured AA and Hilton. Maybe Marriott was a contender who lost out. Who knows. Obviously, not any of us (or at least no one is saying)....yet. ;)

Actually it is 7 awards nights during the same contiguous stay. So if there are not 7 consecutive award nights available, then you can still use the 7-night award cert on a single reservation for a longer stay that includes 7 award nights.

For example let's say you are checking for March 7-14 and the March 12 and 13 are unavailable, but the night of March 6 and 14 did have award nights available. You could then make a res for 9 nights from March 6-15 with March 12 and 13 as paid nights and the other 7 nights would be covered by the 7-night award cert. You need to call a Marriott Reservations to book this as it cannot be done online.