2013 Marriott Rewards Hotel Category Changes List
Feb 12, 2013, 4:52 pm
#151
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Logged into my account last week and noticed I still didn't have the latest promo. emailed Marriott and asked for the stay 2 get 1 cat 5 cert. promo. (I knew I couldnt make the points stay due to budget constraints now)
They said I was already enrolled in the points promo, but as a courtesy, they would manually track my account and give me the cat 1-5 awards afterward.
I booked 4 stays next week (enough to get me the 2 certs).
But with the whole de-valuation I think I will change to Hilton or Hyatt.
They said I was already enrolled in the points promo, but as a courtesy, they would manually track my account and give me the cat 1-5 awards afterward.
I booked 4 stays next week (enough to get me the 2 certs).
But with the whole de-valuation I think I will change to Hilton or Hyatt.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:00 pm
#152
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,655
Agree and as I mentioned with the AC Madrid Atocha.....some are even moving up even though the rates are very low.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:00 pm
#153
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314
It's a race to the bottom, and Marriott just took the lead from Hilton.
Truly turning into a useless program as far as I'm concerned.
Truly turning into a useless program as far as I'm concerned.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:08 pm
#154
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 516
I live in NYC.
My attempt at "Inception" was the fact that I asked for the Cat 1-5 promo, as if that was the normal promo (as opposed to the cat 1-4).
I said "I don't have any promos listed, but my buddy has his cat 1-5 promo listed, since I don't have any promo listed, can you just sign me up for that then."
I assume the employee just went with it, and said "Ok, you got the cat 1-5"
My plan was to save the email (especially since I asked him to write out the details so I know what to do) and use it in case Marriott said "its only cat 1-4"
But with the whole devaluation I am probably going to skip Marriott.
I hate certificates due to the categories, plus the expiration.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:11 pm
#155
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: dayton, oh
Programs: Marriott Rewards Gold, Airtran A+
Posts: 41
BYE MARRIOTT!
Feb 12, 2013, 5:19 pm
#156
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
GREAT..................more available upgrades and room in the lounge for those of us not leaving............
I'm done with MR. AFter I don't know how many years I am moving to Hilton., My brother has told me for years I was a fool to support Marriott over Hilton I am thinking he is now totally correct. I will use my certificates I have but after this I will cancel my MR account and cancel my credit card.
BYE MARRIOTT!
BYE MARRIOTT!
Feb 12, 2013, 5:30 pm
#157
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philly, PA
Programs: Avis First, Hertz Gold, Marriott Platinum, US Airways Platinum, AA Platinum, UA Silver, Hilton Diamo
Posts: 206
The points devaluation sucks, but I'm still staying with Marriott. For the places I travel for work, it's still the best option in those locations.
I think the Chase Marriott certificate should be changed to 1-6. As it stands, it's not even worth the fee I'm charged for the card - I used to come close to breaking even.
I think the Chase Marriott certificate should be changed to 1-6. As it stands, it's not even worth the fee I'm charged for the card - I used to come close to breaking even.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:38 pm
#158
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland
Programs: SPG plat,Hyatt plat, HH Gold, AA Gold, WN A list, IHG Plat, Delta pittance
Posts: 64
This puts them at last place on the list when I travel. I wish I had not renewed the CC but I am canceling it for sure after I use my cat 5 cert.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:47 pm
#159
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Earth
Programs: DL Plat MM, Marriott Plat, UA PE
Posts: 43
Unless you intend to increase the level for which they can be used this is a pretty lame answer. Same with the Visa
Feb 12, 2013, 5:50 pm
#160
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Feb 12, 2013, 5:55 pm
#161
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
Hyatt has given up to 16 months in previous category changes. I think it is a matter of time before Hyatt and Hilton have another big devaluation. I have lifetime platinum with Marriott so I might explore Hilton next year after earning the points needed for future award redemptions at Marriott this year.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:59 pm
#162
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
didn't Hyatt already announce their catagory changes about a month ago impacting a handfull of props ?????
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-7-2013-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-7-2013-a.html
Hyatt has given up to 16 months in previous category changes. I think it is a matter of time before Hyatt and Hilton have another big devaluation. I have lifetime platinum with Marriott so I might explore Hilton next year after earning the points needed for future award redemptions at Marriott this year.
Feb 12, 2013, 6:02 pm
#163
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Not only is Marriott cutting the benefits, they are significantly raising the corporate rates on many hotels. Most of the ones I have stayed at are now too expensive.
I've stayed 250 nights at Marriott properties over the last three years but am unlikely to even hit gold this year. I'm also not renewing the credit card.
I've been a Platinum for three years and don't see any benefits over gold. Since Hilton (as a Diamond) is just as bad I am going to change my approach and just stay in the nicest hotel location,regardless of brand. Other then free breakfast, which I could not care less about, I have not seen any other benefit.
These companies are so stupid.
I've stayed 250 nights at Marriott properties over the last three years but am unlikely to even hit gold this year. I'm also not renewing the credit card.
I've been a Platinum for three years and don't see any benefits over gold. Since Hilton (as a Diamond) is just as bad I am going to change my approach and just stay in the nicest hotel location,regardless of brand. Other then free breakfast, which I could not care less about, I have not seen any other benefit.
These companies are so stupid.
Feb 12, 2013, 6:10 pm
#164
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cullman, Alabama
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 648
Marriott does not care about my business
Obviously Marriott does not care about my business though I am platinum. This devaluation shows it as they did not counter with a way to earn more nights or more points. The Cat 1 to 4 certificates are just not going to be as meaningful now so I am going to switch my staying habits and go to another brand but who? Unfortunately other chains have also done a devaluation (ie: Holiday inn, Hyatt, Hilton)
The problem with this is Way more good locations went up and you can count out anything in or near a resort area unless you just have tons of marriott points. Since the ratio of points I earn vs. what I need did not go up, this is just a way Marriott is telling me that they do not value my business.
Sure Marriott has some good locations but so does every company. If marriott is truly interested in keeping some regular business travelers business, they had better role out something that allows one to earn more points or get higher level tiers of Free Nights. Otherwise I am done with Marriott as a Platinum member.
The problem with this is Way more good locations went up and you can count out anything in or near a resort area unless you just have tons of marriott points. Since the ratio of points I earn vs. what I need did not go up, this is just a way Marriott is telling me that they do not value my business.
Sure Marriott has some good locations but so does every company. If marriott is truly interested in keeping some regular business travelers business, they had better role out something that allows one to earn more points or get higher level tiers of Free Nights. Otherwise I am done with Marriott as a Platinum member.
Last edited by SimpleManToo; Feb 12, 2013 at 6:14 pm Reason: spelling
Feb 12, 2013, 6:13 pm
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,716
HILTON
- Based on hotel earn rates alone (10 base + 5 double dip + 25% elite bonus), it would require $2,857 of spending with Hilton for a Cat 7 night
MARRIOTT
- Based on hotel earn rates alone (10 base + 25% elite bonus), it would require $3,600 of spending with Marriott for a Cat 9 night
Of course, Hilton has far more properties in the top tier, so perhaps a better comparison would be Hilton Cat 7 vs Marriott Cat 8.
However, this analysis may be on point if you save your points for redemption at the top (in terms of $$, not quality) properties (i.e. New York, London, Paris)
- Based on hotel earn rates alone (10 base + 5 double dip + 25% elite bonus), it would require $2,857 of spending with Hilton for a Cat 7 night
MARRIOTT
- Based on hotel earn rates alone (10 base + 25% elite bonus), it would require $3,600 of spending with Marriott for a Cat 9 night
Of course, Hilton has far more properties in the top tier, so perhaps a better comparison would be Hilton Cat 7 vs Marriott Cat 8.
However, this analysis may be on point if you save your points for redemption at the top (in terms of $$, not quality) properties (i.e. New York, London, Paris)
So putting aside location and award inventory it sure looks like HHonors is a clear winner for redemption as I prefer to use my points for high end cities and resorts where I have no intention of ever paying the cash rate.
So, using a very broad brush and some pencils and scratch pads, I come up with a devaluation of about 7.8 percent.
If this is it for a while, one can live with it. But if this is going to be an annual or semi-annual occurrence, it's time to say goodbye. I don't collect points for a one-night redemption. I collect them over months or years, to save up for a big redemption. That's the thing that makes me check into the crappy courtyard when I'm doing a one-night business trip instead of the more convenient Hyatt Place or Hilton. It's 1800 points closer to where I'm trying to get. Yearly devaluations make this kind of approach silly -- makes me feel like a fool.
But even if one accepts that yearly large devaluations are part of the business, the biggest problem here is the massive change to marriott's only real promo -- the megabonus. I'm not interested any more. Category 1-4s are pretty much irrelevant to me now. Don't need 'em.
75 nights to plat, large devaluations, can't get breakfast 7 days a week even if I can make plat, and a promo that doesn't reward me. Hmmm. You're kind of making this one easy, Marriott.
If this is it for a while, one can live with it. But if this is going to be an annual or semi-annual occurrence, it's time to say goodbye. I don't collect points for a one-night redemption. I collect them over months or years, to save up for a big redemption. That's the thing that makes me check into the crappy courtyard when I'm doing a one-night business trip instead of the more convenient Hyatt Place or Hilton. It's 1800 points closer to where I'm trying to get. Yearly devaluations make this kind of approach silly -- makes me feel like a fool.
But even if one accepts that yearly large devaluations are part of the business, the biggest problem here is the massive change to marriott's only real promo -- the megabonus. I'm not interested any more. Category 1-4s are pretty much irrelevant to me now. Don't need 'em.
75 nights to plat, large devaluations, can't get breakfast 7 days a week even if I can make plat, and a promo that doesn't reward me. Hmmm. You're kind of making this one easy, Marriott.
Hilton is also easier to attain status for those of us who can't stay 75 nights in one chain. $40k spend = HH Diamond, I think HH Gold is even easier. SPG is the hardest IMO, no real shortcuts.
When it comes down to it, Marriott's only remaining advantage is location, location, location, including some nice resorts. But SPG and Hyatt also have nice resorts and city locations, and guaranteed suite upgrade certs for elites.