One Program, Endless Inspiration – Preview August Redemption Rates
Apr 23, 2018, 2:15 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
The paradigm for determining categories at Marriott has been based on demand for reward redemptions. Going forward the only thing I have seen is a blurb that they were creating a new chart based on price and demand, but they didn't specify whether it was $ or point demand.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:30 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
And, of course, releasing an "illustrative" example that shows two resort hotels in Puerto Rico dropping a category is designed to make the changes look good since Puerto Rico's tourism was wiped out. I'm actually surprised that these hotels didn't drop even further.
Even some of the Mexican hotels dropping a category isn't a surprise, given all the violent crime and travel cautions.
Even some of the Mexican hotels dropping a category isn't a surprise, given all the violent crime and travel cautions.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:52 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
I'm fine with this - it represents what I assume will be a small devaluation for Marriott properties and if anything a small appreciation for SPG properties - with point earning going up compared to old SPG levels. Definitely a win from my side, though obviously I'll be watching 2019-2020 changes.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:03 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Surely since the 3:1 conversion post merger that valuation is low (at least on Starwood awards). The large majority of Starwood hotels can easily be redeemed for >2 cents per. My value is 2.7... although some value slightly less at 2.4.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:10 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
I always redeem for 1¢ or more unless it is a 7 night cert from a travel package, then I drop my threshold down to 0.8¢, but with the travel package redemption I just got miles at 1.25-1.3 miles/point (w/airline 25-30% bonus) which when accruing at Marriott translates to 25-26 miles/dollar spent at Marriott properties (10+50%+5 CC points/$), and soon to be more as PP would add another 2.5 pts/$. Not a bad deal for dropping my point redemption threshold a bit for the hotel portion IMO.
Last edited by aaupgrade; Apr 23, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Apr 23, 2018, 3:36 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
I've been using about .7 and 2-2.1, and I look for values higher than that when redeeming.
The 9 properties I looked at for Barcelona this summer averaged .647, ranging from .461 to .888. Madrid was .440 to 1.149, averaging .703. Peru last year was .703 Lima, .76 Cusco. Miami layover was .53
So 43 properties in 5 locations, not exactly backwoods, limited service dumps, with an average of .659. Without Miami airport layover, it was .71
The 9 properties I looked at for Barcelona this summer averaged .647, ranging from .461 to .888. Madrid was .440 to 1.149, averaging .703. Peru last year was .703 Lima, .76 Cusco. Miami layover was .53
So 43 properties in 5 locations, not exactly backwoods, limited service dumps, with an average of .659. Without Miami airport layover, it was .71
Apr 23, 2018, 3:38 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
So from this sample, a 2.4% decrease in points needed in August and a 0.7% increase in 2019
Roughly splitting by brand (I don't have all 29 memorized), slight decrease at Marriott, about 4% at SPG.
(But for those intent on making it a massive devaluation, of course it is....)
Roughly splitting by brand (I don't have all 29 memorized), slight decrease at Marriott, about 4% at SPG.
(But for those intent on making it a massive devaluation, of course it is....)
Last edited by CPRich; Apr 23, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Apr 23, 2018, 3:56 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
So from this sample, a 2.4% decrease in points needed in August and a 0.7% increase in 2019
Roughly splitting by brand (I don't have all 29 memorized), slight decrease at Marriott, about 4% at SPG.
(But for those intent on making it a massive devaluation, of course it is....)
Roughly splitting by brand (I don't have all 29 memorized), slight decrease at Marriott, about 4% at SPG.
(But for those intent on making it a massive devaluation, of course it is....)
Apr 23, 2018, 4:06 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
Lost in translation for the new top properties, is that some properties "decreasing" in points required, would really be an increase if points are earned via AMEX US SPG/Marriott credit cards.
Cat 4 example staying Cat 4: Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran shows a decrease of 5000 points, from 30,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 25,000 points. Previously, a US SPG credit card would require $10,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new card, it would now take $12,500 of non-bonus spend. That is a 25% increase.
Cat 5 example staying Cat 5: The W Mexico City shows a decrease of 1000 points, from 36,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 35,000 points. Previously a US SPG credit card would require $12,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new US SPG card, that could now take $17,500 of non-bonus spend under the Standard Award chart. That is a > 45% increase.
Cat 6 example staying Cat 6: The Westin New York at Times Square shows a decrease of 10,000 points, from 60,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 50,000 points. Previously, a US SPG credit card would require $20,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new card, it would now take $25,000 of non-bonus spend. That is a 25% increase.
Granted, guests will earn more points from stays in the new program. For those earning most points from credit card spend however, the new top properties award chart appears to show the devaluation many were fearing.
Cat 4 example staying Cat 4: Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran shows a decrease of 5000 points, from 30,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 25,000 points. Previously, a US SPG credit card would require $10,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new card, it would now take $12,500 of non-bonus spend. That is a 25% increase.
Cat 5 example staying Cat 5: The W Mexico City shows a decrease of 1000 points, from 36,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 35,000 points. Previously a US SPG credit card would require $12,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new US SPG card, that could now take $17,500 of non-bonus spend under the Standard Award chart. That is a > 45% increase.
Cat 6 example staying Cat 6: The Westin New York at Times Square shows a decrease of 10,000 points, from 60,000 post 3:1 point conversion to 50,000 points. Previously, a US SPG credit card would require $20,000 of non-bonus spend to reach a one night award. For the new card, it would now take $25,000 of non-bonus spend. That is a 25% increase.
Granted, guests will earn more points from stays in the new program. For those earning most points from credit card spend however, the new top properties award chart appears to show the devaluation many were fearing.
Last edited by conde; Apr 23, 2018 at 4:46 pm Reason: Added Cat 6 example
Apr 23, 2018, 4:58 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Apr 23, 2018, 6:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
11 Howard and Gramercy Park seem to be incorrect. 11 Howard is category 6 now and Gramercy is 7.
Apr 23, 2018, 7:15 pm
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Apr 23, 2018, 7:19 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Right but they mixed up the 2. They list the 11 Howard as decreasing by 30,000 points as if it were a category 7 except it is category 6 and is staying the same while the opposite is true with the Gramercy.
Apr 24, 2018, 1:41 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
On the other hand, it is currently undergoing renovations, which is precisely why I planned to visit in July: a last chance to stay here at 7k points.