Jun 28, 2018, 12:52 pm
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
Official announcement from Starwood Lurker V :
Maximize your points as our programs become one this August.
As you may already know, SPG, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards will become one program this August. Youll be able to redeem for free nights and unforgettable experiences at over 6,500 participating hotels across 29 brands.
Our Free Night Award Chart will be updated and give you more power to redeem your points. Even better: More hotels are moving down in redemption rates than up so chances are that youll be able to redeem fewer points for free nights at the hotels you love.
Here are our top eight tips to help you maximize your points:
Plan ahead. Explore the full list of hotel category changes and decide if you want to plan your trip before or after the updates take effect. Here are just a few examples of hotels that are moving to a lower category in August:
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 10,000 FEWER POINTS
Hotel Talisa in Vail, Le Mridien Barcelona, W Punta de Mita, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and Le Mridien San Francisco
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 5,000 FEWER POINTS
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Autograph Collections Hotel Punta Islita, and Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Napa Valley
See the complete new award chart here.
Take advantage of future Category 8 hotels. Future Category 8 hotels will be available at Category 7 rates from August until 2019. Redeem now to save up to 20% and guarantee your rate even if the stay occurs after new rates take effect. Explore future category 8 hotels.
Use Cash + Points. Stay for as little as $55 and 3,500 points at more hotels than ever. Your next vacation may be closer than you think. See the Cash + Points Chart.
Stay five nights, pay for four. Get a complimentary night when you redeem four consecutive nights.
Save more with PointSavers. Enjoy up to 20% off when you redeem points at top destinations. All 29 brands participate, all you have to do is enter the city, state or country along with your dates to find participating hotels. See the PointSavers Chart.
Upgrade your stay. Use points to upgrade your room (think suite or a room with a picture-perfect view) during your stay.
Enjoy Travel Packages. Travel Packages now include all SPG hotels. Until now, SPG Nights & Flights applied only to SPG Category 3 and 4 hotels. Starting in August, Marriott Rewards and SPG members can redeem points for airline miles and hotel stays at any of the 6,500 participating hotels. This offer continues to be one of the richest offers among travel loyalty programs.
Get instant gratification. Instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa treatments or anything else you can charge to your room at participating hotels. Each US$1 is valued at 250 points, so if you would like a spa treatment worth US$50, you would redeem 12,500 points.
Explore all the changes happening in August and read FAQs now by visiting members.marriott.com. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback and well do our best to answer your questions.
Maximize your points as our programs become one this August.
As you may already know, SPG, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards will become one program this August. Youll be able to redeem for free nights and unforgettable experiences at over 6,500 participating hotels across 29 brands.
Our Free Night Award Chart will be updated and give you more power to redeem your points. Even better: More hotels are moving down in redemption rates than up so chances are that youll be able to redeem fewer points for free nights at the hotels you love.
Here are our top eight tips to help you maximize your points:
Plan ahead. Explore the full list of hotel category changes and decide if you want to plan your trip before or after the updates take effect. Here are just a few examples of hotels that are moving to a lower category in August:
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 10,000 FEWER POINTS
Hotel Talisa in Vail, Le Mridien Barcelona, W Punta de Mita, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and Le Mridien San Francisco
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 5,000 FEWER POINTS
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Autograph Collections Hotel Punta Islita, and Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Napa Valley
See the complete new award chart here.
Take advantage of future Category 8 hotels. Future Category 8 hotels will be available at Category 7 rates from August until 2019. Redeem now to save up to 20% and guarantee your rate even if the stay occurs after new rates take effect. Explore future category 8 hotels.
Use Cash + Points. Stay for as little as $55 and 3,500 points at more hotels than ever. Your next vacation may be closer than you think. See the Cash + Points Chart.
Stay five nights, pay for four. Get a complimentary night when you redeem four consecutive nights.
Save more with PointSavers. Enjoy up to 20% off when you redeem points at top destinations. All 29 brands participate, all you have to do is enter the city, state or country along with your dates to find participating hotels. See the PointSavers Chart.
Upgrade your stay. Use points to upgrade your room (think suite or a room with a picture-perfect view) during your stay.
Enjoy Travel Packages. Travel Packages now include all SPG hotels. Until now, SPG Nights & Flights applied only to SPG Category 3 and 4 hotels. Starting in August, Marriott Rewards and SPG members can redeem points for airline miles and hotel stays at any of the 6,500 participating hotels. This offer continues to be one of the richest offers among travel loyalty programs.
Get instant gratification. Instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa treatments or anything else you can charge to your room at participating hotels. Each US$1 is valued at 250 points, so if you would like a spa treatment worth US$50, you would redeem 12,500 points.
Explore all the changes happening in August and read FAQs now by visiting members.marriott.com. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback and well do our best to answer your questions.
New Marriott Awards chart for SPG properties, published 28 June 2018
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:04 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,677
Overall it might be a reduction but we all know YMMV since the properties I might be looking at redeeming at could have all went up substantially vs yours might have gone down. That is why you might essentially get the "devaluation travesty" claims. For example, I want to redeem at the Domes of Elounda again and it is going from 45k per night to 80k which is a travesty!
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:19 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,728
Agree, read on...
The Aloft went way up, almost by 50%.
The Aloft was by far the least expensive points redemption in BKK. It is also usually the least expensive Marriott option for cash. It is now a higher redemption, obviously because so many people did the cheap redemption and not because of the cash price. The CY is now a lower redemption despite usually being more expensive. In the past, there was not much of a points difference between the CY and the Marqis/FS/LM that most people would pay a little more in points for a nicer hotel. People do not redeem and the redemption rate falls. It is clear when looking at Bangkok that they are following the old Marriott model and not basing redemption on cash rates.
BTW, the awesome Soi 57 FS is now a bargain at level three redemption. Great rooms and bathrooms, fantastic staff, very good CL, near the BTS. It is as good as the Marquis, Ren, JW or LM but much lower points redemption!
The Aloft went way up, almost by 50%.
The Aloft was by far the least expensive points redemption in BKK. It is also usually the least expensive Marriott option for cash. It is now a higher redemption, obviously because so many people did the cheap redemption and not because of the cash price. The CY is now a lower redemption despite usually being more expensive. In the past, there was not much of a points difference between the CY and the Marqis/FS/LM that most people would pay a little more in points for a nicer hotel. People do not redeem and the redemption rate falls. It is clear when looking at Bangkok that they are following the old Marriott model and not basing redemption on cash rates.
BTW, the awesome Soi 57 FS is now a bargain at level three redemption. Great rooms and bathrooms, fantastic staff, very good CL, near the BTS. It is as good as the Marquis, Ren, JW or LM but much lower points redemption!
yes, i think your analysis is correct. i came to the same conclusion when i looked at BKK changes
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:21 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,660
But, but...
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:26 am
#19
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,597
Las Alcobas, Napa Valley, is dropping from 90K (30K SPG) to 60K.
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:27 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,174
Agree, read on...
The Aloft went way up, almost by 50%.
The Aloft was by far the least expensive points redemption in BKK. It is also usually the least expensive Marriott option for cash. It is now a higher redemption, obviously because so many people did the cheap redemption and not because of the cash price. The CY is now a lower redemption despite usually being more expensive. In the past, there was not much of a points difference between the CY and the Marqis/FS/LM that most people would pay a little more in points for a nicer hotel. People do not redeem and the redemption rate falls. It is clear when looking at Bangkok that they are following the old Marriott model and not basing redemption on cash rates.
BTW, the awesome Soi 57 FS is now a bargain at level three redemption. Great rooms and bathrooms, fantastic staff, very good CL, near the BTS. It is as good as the Marquis, Ren, JW or LM but much lower points redemption!
The Aloft went way up, almost by 50%.
The Aloft was by far the least expensive points redemption in BKK. It is also usually the least expensive Marriott option for cash. It is now a higher redemption, obviously because so many people did the cheap redemption and not because of the cash price. The CY is now a lower redemption despite usually being more expensive. In the past, there was not much of a points difference between the CY and the Marqis/FS/LM that most people would pay a little more in points for a nicer hotel. People do not redeem and the redemption rate falls. It is clear when looking at Bangkok that they are following the old Marriott model and not basing redemption on cash rates.
BTW, the awesome Soi 57 FS is now a bargain at level three redemption. Great rooms and bathrooms, fantastic staff, very good CL, near the BTS. It is as good as the Marquis, Ren, JW or LM but much lower points redemption!
But, but...
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:28 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
But, but...
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
No, picking a subset of properties that one person may be interested in does not support a "devaluation travesty" claim for an entire program. "Based on my specific needs, I suffer an impact" is accurate - branding the entire program is not. (I also suspect any program change in history had negative impacts to some person with some specific needs subset. That's not how one should evaluate "program changes", IMHO)
I could just as easily say "St Regis SF - down from 90K to 60K; W Bali - down from 90K to 60K - this new program saves me 1/3 of my points - Hallelujah!!!"
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:32 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,677
I disagree with your cat by cat analysis. It is not a category one looks at but rather a property. Or perhaps a chain (e.g., Westin). Then within a chain some care more about certain cities. For some it will be a terrible devaluation, for others not so bad, and for some, it may even be a win. But let's be clear - every year without fail, overall, our points are being devalued. I would expect nothing less and for that reason burn my points each year rather than hoarding them.
Yes, it may be a win for "some" when 62% of properties changing value went down. In an election, that's known as a landslide.
If you're looking to find a specific niche of a small percentage of properties where there's a negative impact and use that to support a pre-defined conclusion of "every year without fail, overall, our points are being devalued", you can.
A factual analysis of the data does not support that conclusion. But when you've already decided the outcome, there's really no point in discussing.
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:32 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,746
I typically redeem for airline miles or at the Cat. 7 SPG properties, so I knew the worst case scenario still wouldn't be that bad for me points-wise. However, I think SPG loyalists will be in for quite a shock when the Marriott limits on availability are employed by SPG properties. SPG availability is/was head and shoulders above what I've been seeing from comparable Marriott properties.
Other than the impending availability decline, the worst changes for me are all the top end Marriott hotels jumping up to the new highest level, so the current discount at Ritz and other top-end Marriott properties vs. comparable SPG properties is disappearing. But I don't think that was unexpected.
Other than the impending availability decline, the worst changes for me are all the top end Marriott hotels jumping up to the new highest level, so the current discount at Ritz and other top-end Marriott properties vs. comparable SPG properties is disappearing. But I don't think that was unexpected.
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:39 am
#24
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: SPG
Posts: 713
Maximize your points as our programs become one this August.
As you may already know, SPG, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards will become one program this August. Youll be able to redeem for free nights and unforgettable experiences at over 6,500 participating hotels across 29 brands.
Our Free Night Award Chart will be updated and give you more power to redeem your points. Even better: More hotels are moving down in redemption rates than up so chances are that youll be able to redeem fewer points for free nights at the hotels you love.
Here are our top eight tips to help you maximize your points:
Plan ahead. Explore the full list of hotel category changes and decide if you want to plan your trip before or after the updates take effect. Here are just a few examples of hotels that are moving to a lower category in August:
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 10,000 FEWER POINTS
Hotel Talisa in Vail, Le Mridien Barcelona, W Punta de Mita, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and Le Mridien San Francisco
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 5,000 FEWER POINTS
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Autograph Collections Hotel Punta Islita, and Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Napa Valley
See the complete new award chart here.
Take advantage of future Category 8 hotels. Future Category 8 hotels will be available at Category 7 rates from August until 2019. Redeem now to save up to 20% and guarantee your rate even if the stay occurs after new rates take effect. Explore future category 8 hotels.
Use Cash + Points. Stay for as little as $55 and 3,500 points at more hotels than ever. Your next vacation may be closer than you think. See the Cash + Points Chart.
Stay five nights, pay for four. Get a complimentary night when you redeem four consecutive nights.
Save more with PointSavers. Enjoy up to 20% off when you redeem points at top destinations. All 29 brands participate, all you have to do is enter the city, state or country along with your dates to find participating hotels. See the PointSavers Chart.
Upgrade your stay. Use points to upgrade your room (think suite or a room with a picture-perfect view) during your stay.
Enjoy Travel Packages. Travel Packages now include all SPG hotels. Until now, SPG Nights & Flights applied only to SPG Category 3 and 4 hotels. Starting in August, Marriott Rewards and SPG members can redeem points for airline miles and hotel stays at any of the 6,500 participating hotels. This offer continues to be one of the richest offers among travel loyalty programs.
Get instant gratification. Instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa treatments or anything else you can charge to your room at participating hotels. Each US$1 is valued at 250 points, so if you would like a spa treatment worth US$50, you would redeem 12,500 points.
Explore all the changes happening in August and read FAQs now by visiting members.marriott.com. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback and well do our best to answer your questions.
Kind regards,
Alexandra Baker
SPG Champion, Starwood Hotels and Resorts
[email protected]
Our Free Night Award Chart will be updated and give you more power to redeem your points. Even better: More hotels are moving down in redemption rates than up so chances are that youll be able to redeem fewer points for free nights at the hotels you love.
Here are our top eight tips to help you maximize your points:
Plan ahead. Explore the full list of hotel category changes and decide if you want to plan your trip before or after the updates take effect. Here are just a few examples of hotels that are moving to a lower category in August:
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 10,000 FEWER POINTS
Hotel Talisa in Vail, Le Mridien Barcelona, W Punta de Mita, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and Le Mridien San Francisco
- REDEEM FREE NIGHTS FOR 5,000 FEWER POINTS
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Autograph Collections Hotel Punta Islita, and Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Napa Valley
See the complete new award chart here.
Take advantage of future Category 8 hotels. Future Category 8 hotels will be available at Category 7 rates from August until 2019. Redeem now to save up to 20% and guarantee your rate even if the stay occurs after new rates take effect. Explore future category 8 hotels.
Use Cash + Points. Stay for as little as $55 and 3,500 points at more hotels than ever. Your next vacation may be closer than you think. See the Cash + Points Chart.
Stay five nights, pay for four. Get a complimentary night when you redeem four consecutive nights.
Save more with PointSavers. Enjoy up to 20% off when you redeem points at top destinations. All 29 brands participate, all you have to do is enter the city, state or country along with your dates to find participating hotels. See the PointSavers Chart.
Upgrade your stay. Use points to upgrade your room (think suite or a room with a picture-perfect view) during your stay.
Enjoy Travel Packages. Travel Packages now include all SPG hotels. Until now, SPG Nights & Flights applied only to SPG Category 3 and 4 hotels. Starting in August, Marriott Rewards and SPG members can redeem points for airline miles and hotel stays at any of the 6,500 participating hotels. This offer continues to be one of the richest offers among travel loyalty programs.
Get instant gratification. Instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa treatments or anything else you can charge to your room at participating hotels. Each US$1 is valued at 250 points, so if you would like a spa treatment worth US$50, you would redeem 12,500 points.
Explore all the changes happening in August and read FAQs now by visiting members.marriott.com. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback and well do our best to answer your questions.
Kind regards,
Alexandra Baker
SPG Champion, Starwood Hotels and Resorts
[email protected]
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:43 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,677
Yes, Orlando is a hot-spot that took a hit. 35% average increase. Ouch, for the Mickey Brigade. (Note: for SPG only. Marriott, and the combined program, actually got cheaper.)
Two other spots that seem to get a lot of discussion - NYC, down 7.5% (69 properties!), London up 2.5% (35 properties)
Two other spots that seem to get a lot of discussion - NYC, down 7.5% (69 properties!), London up 2.5% (35 properties)
Last edited by CPRich; Jun 28, 2018 at 11:22 am
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:47 am
#26
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
The only way I'll ever look at Marriott is if they allow 1:1 MR transfers, and that's when I use the Everyday Preferred 30+ times per month.
Other than that, unless you're staying in a hotel 80+ nights a year (which I understand many people do) I think Hilton provides better dollar for dollar earnings both on credit cards and rewards nights
A $150 a night hotel shouldn't cost 40,000 or more per night.
Other than that, unless you're staying in a hotel 80+ nights a year (which I understand many people do) I think Hilton provides better dollar for dollar earnings both on credit cards and rewards nights
A $150 a night hotel shouldn't cost 40,000 or more per night.
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:52 am
#27
formerly leemaj
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: California
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium and LTP, Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold, SW Companion Pass
Posts: 217
Thank you for the update. I have a question - If I book hotel rooms now (for a September vacation) at the higher rate, can I call and have the difference in points refunded after the changes take effect in August?
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:53 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,660
The only way I'll ever look at Marriott is if they allow 1:1 MR transfers, and that's when I use the Everyday Preferred 30+ times per month.
Other than that, unless you're staying in a hotel 80+ nights a year (which I understand many people do) I think Hilton provides better dollar for dollar earnings both on credit cards and rewards nights
A $150 a night hotel shouldn't cost 40,000 or more per night.
Other than that, unless you're staying in a hotel 80+ nights a year (which I understand many people do) I think Hilton provides better dollar for dollar earnings both on credit cards and rewards nights
A $150 a night hotel shouldn't cost 40,000 or more per night.
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:57 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,677
By brand
Jun 28, 2018 | 9:58 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG 100 Ambassador, LH M&M Senator, Skywards Silver
Posts: 250
What about the Maldives hotels? They appear to be priced at 60k/night until 2019 which makes it a real bargain at 80k SPG for 5 nights? Surely there must be a catch?