Changes to Marriott Rewards - bye bye AA - Why?
#76
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Something does not seem truly correct here and it does appear that we may not be receiving the full story from Marriott Rewards.
#78
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: DL GM, WN AL/CP, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,483
The obvious:
I think it has to be a personal pissing contest between the CEOs of Marriott and American Airlines. Kind of like when Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Baptist Hospitals stopped working with each other about 15 years ago. Why would the biggest health insurer and one of the biggest hospital systems stop working with each other to the detriment of patients? Because almost assuredly, two male executives at the top of each company made it personal and wanted to prove their member was bigger than the other executive's member, beat their chests, took their balls and went home.
It makes perfect sense, and really is the only explanation in my mind that does make sense.
It makes perfect sense, and really is the only explanation in my mind that does make sense.
#79
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
Oh, and one other thing I'll add:
The Marriott Delta promo, viewed by itself, is actually not that bad. For the one-night-stay type of guest, you could even argue that 15k DL is worth more than a Cat 4 Free Night plus your normal Marriott points.
The first problem is that it pales in comparison to what other hotel chains are doing during the same period.
The second problem is that all of this talk should be unrelated to Marriott's decision to drop its long-term relationship with AA.
I don't care if Marriott rolls out 10 juicy promotions: ending the AA relationship is still a bad move.
The Marriott Delta promo, viewed by itself, is actually not that bad. For the one-night-stay type of guest, you could even argue that 15k DL is worth more than a Cat 4 Free Night plus your normal Marriott points.
The first problem is that it pales in comparison to what other hotel chains are doing during the same period.
The second problem is that all of this talk should be unrelated to Marriott's decision to drop its long-term relationship with AA.
I don't care if Marriott rolls out 10 juicy promotions: ending the AA relationship is still a bad move.
#80
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
Yeah, it's a bad move. Perhaps a dumb move. And certainly a loss for consumers.
But regarding the question of which travel vendor to dump. Lemme see here...
Marriott has taken very good care of me for seventeen consecutive years as an MR member.
I'll give AA props for decent free trip award availability and relative ease of redemption. But other than that, they haven't exactly shown me a lot of love in my years as an elite since I got fed up with United in '01. Other than letting me get on the plane relatively early and sit in an exit row every now and then, they treat me just about as badly as the other airlines.
With this it may be time for me to give AA the heave-ho, not Marriott.
But regarding the question of which travel vendor to dump. Lemme see here...
Marriott has taken very good care of me for seventeen consecutive years as an MR member.
I'll give AA props for decent free trip award availability and relative ease of redemption. But other than that, they haven't exactly shown me a lot of love in my years as an elite since I got fed up with United in '01. Other than letting me get on the plane relatively early and sit in an exit row every now and then, they treat me just about as badly as the other airlines.
With this it may be time for me to give AA the heave-ho, not Marriott.
#81
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA PLT/2MM, UA, Marriott PLT, Starwood
Posts: 221
After perusing FlyerTalk for AA promos, and looking at DL vs. AA award availability, I have literally canceled my next ten (yes, ten as in one-zero) stays with Marriott (they were already booked), and have given them to Hyatt, specifically because AA and UA miles are more useful than DL miles.
I will be saving the folios and faxing them to both the Marriott Rewards Platinum desk, and to Mr. Marriott's office. Even the devaluation last year did not drive me away. This has actually made me look elsewhere, cancel reservations, and book with a competitor.
I will be saving the folios and faxing them to both the Marriott Rewards Platinum desk, and to Mr. Marriott's office. Even the devaluation last year did not drive me away. This has actually made me look elsewhere, cancel reservations, and book with a competitor.
#82
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAMM & PLT; UA Gold, DL Silver, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 1,591
After initially deciding to dump Marriott and now having a few days to think abou it, I decided that I will stick with Marriott. Marriott has been good to me over the years, as have AA. I live near EWR and AA just is not convenient for me, therefore, I have been flying them a lot less than in the past (no flights so far this year). AA will remain my airline of choice, but convenience and cost (therefore cash back/Schwab is now in play) are now the deciding factors. So with AA LT Plat now out of the question or markedly more difficult to attain, I think I will just stick with Marriott and use Marriott points for weekend getaways with the fam - I know they will appreciate this.
I started rethinking SPG once Amex decide to cut/slash/decimate my CL on my SPG Amex - this after approving me for the Amex Premier Rewards card so for now, no more business to Amex.
I started rethinking SPG once Amex decide to cut/slash/decimate my CL on my SPG Amex - this after approving me for the Amex Premier Rewards card so for now, no more business to Amex.
#83
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, and a mug on the wall at the local brewpub
Posts: 259
Glad you are staying - I was starting to feel lonesome. I also am giving up the AA LT Plat dream, and in my case also, AA is really not the most convenient airline.
From EWR, I presume that Continental (soon to be United) is your most common carrier. If so, in addition to the Schwab 2% card, you might want to consider the United Mileage Plus Select card, which you might still be able to get the 50,000 mile bonus on. It gives you 2 miles per dollar on restaurants, groceries, and home improvements (and 3 on UA spend), which is a better deal than 2% cash back to me for those categories.
bd
From EWR, I presume that Continental (soon to be United) is your most common carrier. If so, in addition to the Schwab 2% card, you might want to consider the United Mileage Plus Select card, which you might still be able to get the 50,000 mile bonus on. It gives you 2 miles per dollar on restaurants, groceries, and home improvements (and 3 on UA spend), which is a better deal than 2% cash back to me for those categories.
bd
After initially deciding to dump Marriott and now having a few days to think abou it, I decided that I will stick with Marriott. Marriott has been good to me over the years, as have AA. I live near EWR and AA just is not convenient for me, therefore, I have been flying them a lot less than in the past (no flights so far this year). AA will remain my airline of choice, but convenience and cost (therefore cash back/Schwab is now in play) are now the deciding factors. So with AA LT Plat now out of the question or markedly more difficult to attain, I think I will just stick with Marriott and use Marriott points for weekend getaways with the fam - I know they will appreciate this.
I started rethinking SPG once Amex decide to cut/slash/decimate my CL on my SPG Amex - this after approving me for the Amex Premier Rewards card so for now, no more business to Amex.
I started rethinking SPG once Amex decide to cut/slash/decimate my CL on my SPG Amex - this after approving me for the Amex Premier Rewards card so for now, no more business to Amex.
#84
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAMM & PLT; UA Gold, DL Silver, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 1,591
Glad you are staying - I was starting to feel lonesome. I also am giving up the AA LT Plat dream, and in my case also, AA is really not the most convenient airline.
From EWR, I presume that Continental (soon to be United) is your most common carrier. If so, in addition to the Schwab 2% card, you might want to consider the United Mileage Plus Select card, which you might still be able to get the 50,000 mile bonus on. It gives you 2 miles per dollar on restaurants, groceries, and home improvements (and 3 on UA spend), which is a better deal than 2% cash back to me for those categories.
bd
From EWR, I presume that Continental (soon to be United) is your most common carrier. If so, in addition to the Schwab 2% card, you might want to consider the United Mileage Plus Select card, which you might still be able to get the 50,000 mile bonus on. It gives you 2 miles per dollar on restaurants, groceries, and home improvements (and 3 on UA spend), which is a better deal than 2% cash back to me for those categories.
bd
#85
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Very hard to believe that it is AA's fault in light of the following promotion:
EARN UP TO 60,000 AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE® MILES WITH HYATT
http://goldpassport.com/gp/en/aa/off..._mbr_src=30KAA
EARN UP TO 60,000 AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE® MILES WITH HYATT
http://goldpassport.com/gp/en/aa/off..._mbr_src=30KAA
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
Very hard to believe that it is AA's fault in light of the following promotion:
EARN UP TO 60,000 AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE® MILES WITH HYATT
http://goldpassport.com/gp/en/aa/off..._mbr_src=30KAA
EARN UP TO 60,000 AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE® MILES WITH HYATT
http://goldpassport.com/gp/en/aa/off..._mbr_src=30KAA
#87
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The Golden State
Programs: UAL, Marriott, Skymiles, AAdvantage, trueBlue, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hyatt,Leaders Club, Alaska
Posts: 493
Marriott and American Airlines
Am I reading this right?
Marriott doesn't work with American Airlines on their rewards packages?
Tell me this is not true.
Marriott doesn't work with American Airlines on their rewards packages?
Tell me this is not true.
#88
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
That's like saying, "What??! Marriott doesn't have BOGO anymore? Tell me this isn't true!"
Marriott has not had a partnership with AA for some time now.
Marriott has not had a partnership with AA for some time now.
#89
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The Golden State
Programs: UAL, Marriott, Skymiles, AAdvantage, trueBlue, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hyatt,Leaders Club, Alaska
Posts: 493
Thanks for the quick reply. This is news to me.
#90
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Unfortunately so many changes in all these programs so often, it's hard to keep up with all of them.
I can understand your frustration when you learn of something that says, "oh boy, where have I been?" Thank Goodness for FT.
I can understand your frustration when you learn of something that says, "oh boy, where have I been?" Thank Goodness for FT.