Marriott has just announced that they’ll be making some changes to their hotel categories for the 2013 program, which will kick in for bookings made May 16, 2013, or later (at least they’re giving us some advance notice). The first change they’re making is adding a new category to their award chart. Previously the highest category properties were category eight, which required 40,000 points per night, while now there’s a new category nine, which requires 45,000 points per night.
There are about a dozen new category nine properties, though unfortunately the changes don’t stop there. At the same time Marriott is increasing the categories of 36% of properties, while they’re only decreasing the categories of 1% of properties. That means we’re seeing a net increase in redemption costs at 35% of properties, which is among the worst across the board increases I’ve seen from a hotel loyalty program in a long time.
This especially sucks for those that earn MegaBonus nights or for those looking to apply for the Marriott Visa card, which comes with a category one through four free night certificate. I hope Marriott considers raising the cap on these certificates to category five properties.
Anyway, I can’t say I was especially interested in Marriott before this change, and I’m even less interested after the change…
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February 12th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Ben Skelton said,
Yeah. Marriott Rewards has to be the lamest program. That and the majority of their hotels hurt my eyes.
I have a rather large MR balance due to meetings and haven’t found a property I’ve been interested in staying at (and the fact that their trip rewards are 7 days is a bit much). Finally using them for the Grosvenor House in London. Not necessarily the best redemption value but at least I will use them before this devaluation.
I like the MR credit card in Canada though as it is one of the few without FX fees. Cards like that are rare in Canada
February 12th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Number1 said,
The Marriott web site now says that the annual night that comes with their CC is a category 1 – 5 . Did they just increase it?
February 12th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Mike said,
Thats where I’m struggling, I actually like the MegaBonus program, but Cat 4 is too low to use most places. I was excited to see that I can use the ones I’m earning on a hotel in Portland, but now it looks like I had better earn them & get them booked before May.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
lucky said,
@ Number1 — Hmmm, can’t find that. Where are you seeing it?
February 12th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Beachfan said,
The visa cert is car 1-5 on anniversary . But still not worth it.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
DWT said,
Yes, the Chase credit card comes with a Cat 4 cert on opening the account, but the annual cert for renewing is Cat 5. Regardless, they are both going to be hard to use after this devaluation
February 12th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Steelsnow said,
The annual cc night is 1-5, it’s the MegaBonus nights that have been 1-4.
February 12th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Daniel G said,
Wonder if we can use the MegaBonus certs at a hotel that is going up from category 4 to 5 if we book by May or if we have to complete the stay by May.
February 12th, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Number1 said,
Here’s the Chase link from the Marriott site:
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/marriottpremier/50p1ksh/?CELL=67G0&SPID=F2RJ
February 12th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Lark said,
@ Ben: Try the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
If that hotel ‘hurts your eyes’, then I guess Marriott/Ritz does not have anything to offer you.
February 12th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
lucky said,
@ Lark — I’m sure it’s an awesome hotel, but there’s no economical way to stay there that I know of!
February 13th, 2013 at 7:31 am
Lord Fish said,
Marriott’s carpeting makes me ill.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:23 am
dmodemd said,
…and half points for Residence Inn. Boo. Full points for Homewood Suites.
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