Devaluation changes to Marriott Rewards program

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

As has been widely anticipated, Marriott has made major devaluation changes to Marriott Rewards over the past week or so:

• The one-cent per point bonanza under which we could buy an unlimited number of Marriott Rewards points for a penny each ended within the past 90 minutes. The limit now is 50,000 points per year with a cost of 1.25 cents per point.
• 535 hotels were moved up one category level, meaning that it will cost more points for an award for free stays at those hotels. 14 hotels were moved down a category.
• The points cost for a number of other awards (e.g., various cruises, train trips and Disney park Hopper tickets) increased, significantly in some cases.
• The point requirements for the air-hotel "Travel Packages" are unchanged, but the changes to hotel categories have an unfavorable impact on many such awards.

I know these devaluations are necessary from time to time, but I don't like it when it happens!

[bon551 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bon551]

"535 hotels were moved up one category level, meaning that it will cost more points for an award for free stays at those hotels. 14 hotels were moved down a category."


Do you know if Marriott's website reflects these changes yet?

Bonnie

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

Yes, all of the changes I mentioned are reflected on the Marriott site. Thus, it's too late to book award travel under the old point award scales and categories.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I guess next they'll have to come up with a Category 8 And I already had to use "anytime points" for three nights on Kauai... oh well.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I guess next they'll have to come up with a Category 8 And I already had to use "anytime points" for three nights on Kauai... oh well.

"anytime points".....I don't blame you for crying. I'd be crying, too.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Yes, all of the changes I mentioned are reflected on the Marriott site. Thus, it's too late to book award travel under the old point award scales and categories.

Dave, I already have a stay reserved at the old level but didn't get the cert yet, do you know if they will honor the old amount if this property is upgraded?

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

Yes, according to a Marriott employee on FlyerTalk, speaking in an unofficial capacity...

If the reservation was made on or before March 1, member will be responsible for the old category certificate.

If the reservation was made on or after March 2, they will be responsible for the new category certificate.

That approach is consistent with what Marriott has done in the past and with answers that various people (FlyerTalk again) have received from Marriott. For the quote, see post #11 in this thread.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Yes, according to a Marriott employee on FlyerTalk, speaking in an unofficial capacity...That approach is consistent with what Marriott has done in the past and with answers that various people (FlyerTalk again) have received from Marriott. For the quote, see post #11 in this thread.

Thanks Dave,
!

Any feel if they will offer the travel package with 20% more air miles as they have done in the past?
I did those packages in 2004 and 2005 but they didn't offer it in 2006.
I was able to get the hotel cert and 144,000 FF miles instead of 120,000

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

I wish I knew.

I'm waiting in line, too....

[timeandenergy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeandenergy]

Thanks Dave,
!

Any feel if they will offer the travel package with 20% more air miles as they have done in the past?
I did those packages in 2004 and 2005 but they didn't offer it in 2006.
I was able to get the hotel cert and 144,000 FF miles instead of 120,000

I wish I knew the answer. This is the type of promotion I'm looking for now.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Opinion:
There will be no promos with extra miles

Annecdote on hotel category changes:
Marriott Sydney Harbour now Cat6 - FlyerTalk Forums

Note there was no final resolution printed as the OP didn't want Marriott to realize what they did.

Pat