More changes to Marriott Rewards program
Feb 20, 1999 | 6:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA LT Platinum, AS, UA Premier Silver, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,723
More changes to Marriott Rewards program
Got my new Marriott package today. Not impressed at all.
1. The 150 point Hertz bonus for rentals in conjunction with Marriott Hotel stays is gone as of April 1, 1999 (following the elimination of the airline bonus on the same date). The 500 (or 1000 point) bonus at Hertz is still available.
2. AA has been added as a redemption partner. You can now transfer points to AA miles and can also claim flight awards on AA from Marriott.
3. NO inflation on almost all awards. Of course, after eliminating the bonuses, the effect is the same.
4. More properties requiring Choice awards (more points).
5. Fewer published blackout dates, but a note that any individual property may blackout additional dates. This is a sneeky way of actually increasing the number of dates on which you can't claim awards. I guess individual properties can now blackout whatever they want. I tried to claim an award at a Courtyard in Charlotte Memorial Day weekend and was told they were blacked out the entire weekend due to an auto race at the Speedway. This never happened in the past. In fact, the previously limited blackout dates is one of the main things that set Marriott apart from Hilton. Major negative!
6. Effective 3/31/99 cannot earn points at any Ritz-Carlton.
7. Eliminated CounterPoints program with UA and BA.
Starwood is looking better everyday!
1. The 150 point Hertz bonus for rentals in conjunction with Marriott Hotel stays is gone as of April 1, 1999 (following the elimination of the airline bonus on the same date). The 500 (or 1000 point) bonus at Hertz is still available.
2. AA has been added as a redemption partner. You can now transfer points to AA miles and can also claim flight awards on AA from Marriott.
3. NO inflation on almost all awards. Of course, after eliminating the bonuses, the effect is the same.
4. More properties requiring Choice awards (more points).
5. Fewer published blackout dates, but a note that any individual property may blackout additional dates. This is a sneeky way of actually increasing the number of dates on which you can't claim awards. I guess individual properties can now blackout whatever they want. I tried to claim an award at a Courtyard in Charlotte Memorial Day weekend and was told they were blacked out the entire weekend due to an auto race at the Speedway. This never happened in the past. In fact, the previously limited blackout dates is one of the main things that set Marriott apart from Hilton. Major negative!
6. Effective 3/31/99 cannot earn points at any Ritz-Carlton.
7. Eliminated CounterPoints program with UA and BA.
Starwood is looking better everyday!
Feb 20, 1999 | 7:28 pm
#2
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Being the best Frequent Guest program may have gone to Marriott's Head, MileKing. I too
received the membership kit... Some problems relevant to me (and maybe some of you too
*Marriott says "You MUST save your 1998 membership Guide and use with this added 1999 membership guide." That's lazy. Couldn't they just update the guide?
Several of the properties that I would show interest in award stays are now more "expensive" -- point wise.
*Taking away the airline bonuses. So many hotel programs are doing it... Marriott takes two steps back!
*See the limited number of Ritz Carlton stays for points program is gone! I guess DjLawman's and others problems with getting points got Marriott disgusted (rather than just adding ALL the Ritz Carlton programs to Marriott Rewards!)
But I would hold off on saying Starwood looks
better. I have several problems with them
which I plan to post under Starwood shortly.
Plus an experiment I'm playing with Marriott
and Starwood.
This is what happens when you are stuck at home alone (except for sleeping cats!) on a saturday night with little to do.
PICK APART YOUR PROGRAMS!!!! CATMAN
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 02-20-99).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 02-20-99).]
received the membership kit... Some problems relevant to me (and maybe some of you too
*Marriott says "You MUST save your 1998 membership Guide and use with this added 1999 membership guide." That's lazy. Couldn't they just update the guide?
Several of the properties that I would show interest in award stays are now more "expensive" -- point wise.
*Taking away the airline bonuses. So many hotel programs are doing it... Marriott takes two steps back!
*See the limited number of Ritz Carlton stays for points program is gone! I guess DjLawman's and others problems with getting points got Marriott disgusted (rather than just adding ALL the Ritz Carlton programs to Marriott Rewards!)
But I would hold off on saying Starwood looks
better. I have several problems with them
which I plan to post under Starwood shortly.
Plus an experiment I'm playing with Marriott
and Starwood.
This is what happens when you are stuck at home alone (except for sleeping cats!) on a saturday night with little to do.
PICK APART YOUR PROGRAMS!!!! CATMAN
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 02-20-99).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 02-20-99).]
Feb 22, 1999 | 2:00 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
In general, I agree with MileKing that the Marriott program is on a downward trend. I sent an email to Marriott Rewards but have not received a reply other than the generic "Thank you for your mail, we are forwarding it to the appropriate dept".
Feb 22, 1999 | 6:42 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,009
My company dropped Marriott as a preferred vendor this year. 
Feb 23, 1999 | 7:12 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: CLE, UA MM, UA Premier Plat, Bonvoy Titanium UA Club
Posts: 333
I just recently signed up with Marriott Rewards....received my information packet. Two thumbs down to Marriott, (as Catman stated earlier in this post), the packet informs me to keep my 1998 members guide. HELLO MARRIOTT, IS ANYBODY HOME? If I wasn't a member in 1998, don't you think they should provide me with a NEW MEMBER guide booklet for 1999?! Hmmmmm....maybe I'll just stick with Hhonors!
Feb 23, 1999 | 10:17 am
#6
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA LT Platinum, AS, UA Premier Silver, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,723
That is a real classic, traveltoomuch!! I really am annoyed by Marriott. They have long been a personal favorite with exceptional service from the Rewards people. However, they haven't done much of anything right lately. I don't think they get it.
Feb 28, 1999 | 11:11 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,278
MileKing: If I rent Hertz on 3/3/99 & stay @ Mariott, I get a bonus @ Mariott. Do I also get a Hartz point bonus? How?
Feb 28, 1999 | 1:47 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
ontheroad, this is what I have been doing: When I rent from Hertz I request Hertz #1 points. Later on I fax a copy of my Hertz receipt to Marriott, requesting 150 bonus Marriott Reward points. So far I have had no problem getting the Hertz #1 points (based on number of dollars for the car rental), and the 150 Marriott reward points.