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Originally Posted by Marriott Concierge
(Post 10558968)
I have a bit of good news for you. Travel packages and hopper rewards ordered prior to January 15th can be used for reward stays booked on or after the 15th. If you call Guest Services on January 14th, (it may be a little busy if you all decide to do this) and order as many travel packages as you have points for, the mileage will be transferred to the airline you chose and you will have twelve months from the date of issuance to use the hotel portions.
Regarding the creation of five night travel package reward, I have sent your suggestions on and will keep you informed on what I find out. This is a good question. Without mentioning specifics, (mostly because I don’t have that many of them regarding policing the changes on the hotels side) I can say that I have seen the training that was sent to the hotels and what they are required to do is very clear. One advantage to the new system is hotels will be reimbursed for redemption stays at a much higher rate than they used to, so there really is very little incentive for them to try and cheat the system. Ira On a more general note, I wonder if point earning potential through Marriott promotions will also be augmented. Starwood's current promotion gives members an opportunity to earn 100,000 points so it will be interesting to see if Marriott matches that and also offers opportunities to earn more points given the changes. |
Marriott "Enhancement"
The increase in 7-night Travel Package Awards is extreme. Adding a 5-night Travel Package would be VERY much a good gesture. The creating of a category 8 while good for Marriott is NOT good for us, the consumer.
To make these changes in these economic times, the worst since the Great Depression, is arrogant and at the least not going to bring either new or more business to Marriott. An increase in the points for exchanging MVCI for points would go a long way to saying loyal customers --we do understand why you supported us in the past and will honor our commitment to you since you have a Long-term relationship with us as an owner. Increasing the points on the "same scale" as these "enhancements" were increased should be done by January 15th, 2009 (when the new program changes go into effect). Marriott Concierge --IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND DELIVER! |
If you are reluctant to read through this 10-page thread, I have attempted to give a more thorough analysis of the Marriott Rewards changes on my Loyalty Traveler blog post today.
Perhaps the most useful feature that you won't find here in the FlyerTalk thread is a table showing both the current 2008 and the new 2009 points redemption level in the same cells to make quick comparisons. Now we just need to wait and see how many hotels go up in category level for 2009. If the foreign currencies keep dropping at 5% a week, maybe Europe will drop to all Category 4 hotels by 2009:D Marriott Rewards Analysis of 2009 Program Changes |
I've been hoarding 270K points for a travel package to use the first time I could find 7 days in my schedule to stay in one place. I could certainly live with a travel package reduction to 5 days, but I'm still unhappy with "category creep."
I'm more active in other hotel programs than I am in MR, but of late I've had a few Marriott stays and, since it IS a preferred travel supplier for my company, had been thinking of switching more stays to Marriott. These "enhancements" have shut down that analysis. |
Category MIgration &Chasse MR Premier VISA
I'm curious as to whether Marriott considered the issue of the Category 5 Free night Certificate posted to each card holders' MR account commencing with their second year as a cardholder.
There are some very attractive properties curently listed at Category 5 and in light of the significant change in point requirements for a free night it would be a shame to lose access to what would, to a degree, mitigate the effect of point increases. Her3e's a list of current Cat 5 properties... http://www.marriott.com/rewards/poin...ropertyList.mi I would hope that MR is cognizant that migration of a property above Cat 5 has the potential of signifcant impact in combination with the new point matrix and that there's something in the offing that will mitigate what would be yet another, albeit somewhat unique points devaluation. |
Making plans for Europe trips in 2009!!
Originally Posted by Marriott Concierge
(Post 10558968)
I have a bit of good news for you. Travel packages and hopper rewards ordered prior to January 15th can be used for reward stays booked on or after the 15th. If you call Guest Services on January 14th, (it may be a little busy if you all decide to do this) and order as many travel packages as you have points for, the mileage will be transferred to the airline you chose and you will have twelve months from the date of issuance to use the hotel portions.
Ira I'm going to order some hopper rewards for use in 2009. What about 7 night stay certificates (ordered without an travel package)? Will they still be good in 2009? One year expiration also? |
Originally Posted by Beach9bum
(Post 10559679)
An increase in the points for exchanging MVCI for points would go a long way to saying loyal customers --we do understand why you supported us in the past and will honor our commitment to you since you have a Long-term relationship with us as an owner. Increasing the points on the "same scale" as these "enhancements" were increased should be done by January 15th, 2009 (when the new program changes go into effect).
Marriott Concierge --IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND DELIVER! |
Marriott Concierge
In the past, we have been able to extend the hotel portion of the travel package each year for another year if we were not able to use it. Will this option still be available?
We also own two Marriott timeshares and both were bought from developer. The last one we bought specifically to have the option for points. There will be no reason to buy timeshares directly from Marriott anymore. It will not be worth the difference in price that you can buy directly from an owner. I know timeshare sales have really slowed down. This will make it very difficult for Marriott to sell these units. Marriott needs to be reading the thread on this at TUG2.net. The Marriott owners are not happy either. |
Well I am very dissapointed with these new changes. I just re-qualified for Platinum and haven't even considered switching to a different chain and even bought a timeshare week in Hawaii.
Now I find myself wondering if I should start shopping around the rest of the year, maybe do a match with someone else and experience their service. I'll probably contact Customer Service later on, but am I alone here or are people going to start shopping around? |
The 7 night award at Category 7 (i.e. Wailea) at 210K is an outrageous increase over the current amount of 150K. It is nowhere near worth that. I had simply horrendous service at that property this year.
As a Platinum Premier, I am usually the first to defend Marriott. However, I am beyond disappointed with this. Also, for Marriott to call these changes "enhancements" really is insulting. |
It is really insulting that they bury these changes in the FAQ's. I received an email that was all positive, nothing about these awful changes. I have been saving up for a travel package as I thought that was the best use of points. Now it looks like I am just going to flush my Marriott Rewards points and move on.
I have been defending this program and pointing out that this is the best one out there until this. I am done pointing out the benefits. |
Will I be able to use a travel reward package for current CAT 7 Hotels- that will become a Cat 8 Hotel- if I book the room before Jan 15.
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Originally Posted by holocker
(Post 10560559)
Will I be able to use a travel reward package for current CAT 7 Hotels- that will become a Cat 8 Hotel- if I book the room before Jan 15.
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Yes, as long as you book and order the award before Jan. 15th, you should be able to use the existing award prices and hotel categories.
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Originally Posted by holocker
(Post 10560559)
Will I be able to use a travel reward package for current CAT 7 Hotels- that will become a Cat 8 Hotel- if I book the room before Jan 15.
Cheers. |
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