and we aren't going to like them. No telling the validity, but I will tell that the rewards changes broke on Flyertalk days before Marriott announced them.
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Rumor on Flyer Talk: More "Changes" are Coming to Reward Program
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Teeth Grtting and other issues?
Yep, time to grit our collective teeth and restate the obvious! No, I guess we're not in Kansas anymore Toto, unless you are in Kansas (and sorry for maligning just one state when Ohio is still on my most malign-able state list).
We're in near free-fall in the value of loyalty programs among various hotels, not just Marriott. Of course, there are good things to be said for these programs, but on the whole, the idea of rewarding loyal customers for their loyalty is not quite as ironclad as it used to be. Maybe because they don't care, I don't know. Maybe they care, but are testing us to see if we notice? Maybe none of the above?
We are handcuffed to many of these programs--we've invested a lot in them and for them, with the hope that they'll pay us back. Hopefully they will, but that hope seems to be getting less and less certain.
Marriott still gets my vote as a great company. I'm in my 30th year as an MR member. I have been given many things over the years for my loyalty and am grateful for them all. I've made lifetime Platinum and am pleased with that. But Marriott Rewards, like the proverbial hangnail, is still a tad irritating (but not fatal) and the changes made to the program are worrisome.
If you agree, let me know. If you disagree, ditto. I'll leave the light on for ya! (oops, wrong chain, sorry)
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Five dollar a gallon gas and new hotel rewards categories
Here in LA (southern CA) and environs, the average price of gasoline is nearing 5 bucks a gallon. At COSTCO it's still $4.07 and the line looks like a per-hurricane rush at a southern seaport. So the public should be off the roads, storming the Hybrid car salerooms, getting in line for a bus ride, breaking out the bikes, etc. Nah, business and traffic as usual! Huge land yachts cruising the always congested freeways, parking lots at malls filled to the brim, life is unaffected.
So what if there are going to be nine categories of hotels? With gas at this price and no one seeming to care, the chances that most of us will not be using points seem very remote.
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How many Marriott Elite members are there currently?
I am just curious if anyone knows just how many members of each elite level there are right now. I realize there are something like 42 million Marriott rewards members, but just how many elites are there and how many in each tier?
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E195 Checks
I am a PP member who stays 200+ nights every year in a Marriott. I choose to use Marriott because of the E195 ($1000 Marriott Checks for 135000 points). these are no longer offered. I use those checks to meet my family for vacations. I will now be shopping for a better deal at another company. It is STUPID to endanger loyalty, but you have. There are companies out there that will treasure my 200+ nights per year and treat me better.
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Points Well Taken: Using Points for Nights, Flights & More
Earning points is easy—deciding how to spend them is the hard part. There are more than 250 ways to redeem your points, from a relaxing day at the spa to a once in a lifetime trip across the globe, and whether you’re just building your balance or have a lifetime of points stashed away, there’s a reward that’s right for you.
Most members use their points for free stays at the more than 3,600 Marriott® properties worldwide. How many points you need depends on the hotel’s category. Insiders member tjcnewyork gives you a break down here. Alrenaissance discusses using points at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas with an in-depth review. Marriott Cheques are also a great way to make the most of your points when booking stays. Learn how sdbroker used them in both Colorado and Indianapolis. And, if you’ve been saving up points for something special, see how jaybee used them for an “awesome” 3-week adventure in Thailand, including airfare and hotel.
Using points doesn’t mean you have to wipe your balance out. With PointSavers, winner of this year’s Best Program for Redemption at the 2012 Freddie Awards, you can save up to 33% on top destinations. And, with Air + Car, you can use cash, points or both to book air and ground transportation all on one convenient site.
Looking to give a gift (to yourself or someone else)? Missgee lets you know where you can pick up all the things you love about staying in a Marriott hotel—from bedding to bathrobes—with Shop Marriott. You can also use your points to purchase brand-name electronics, travel accessories, retail gift certificates, Marriott GiftCards and memorable experiences, including culinary classes, bungee jumping, a recording studio session and more. To use your points to better communities—both in your backyard and beyond—you can also donate them to a number of worthy causes, including disaster relief.
Special thanks to members tjcnewyork, alrenaissance, sdbroker, jaybee and missgeeTo see one of your posts featured, we encourage you to contribute helpful tips, thoughts, experiences and insights throughout the community.
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Platinum elite vs Platinum Premier Elite
I recently received a black membership card with the words "Platinum Premier Elite" on it. I can't seem to find what the difference is between this one and a platinum elite card. Anyone know? Thanks.
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Revenues and Rewards
Anadyr (sorry, I cannot get used to calling you that) raised a serious point in another post about corporates crunching numbers. I am not some wild-eyed liberal professor (despite our sad reputation) and I follow CNBC and Wall Street as well as InsideFlyer etc.
For the number crunchers, all I can say is get what you can while you can, because the way you seem to be crunching numbers will end up crunching stays and driving away loyal high-spending members in droves. These people already seem to have pushed many of us in that direction.
My question: I can stay at the following choices in Venice: 1) a low priced nice hotel out of the way (example BW Sant' Elena) but which gives me free breakfast, wifi and amenities; 2) a fabulous hotel on the Grand Canal or the Lagoon which gives me great free breakfast, free wifi, and fabulous views (example Pesaro Palace); or 3) a Marriott that is out of the way, nice, but has little in the way of amenities. I will choose 2 first then 1, but would not choose the Marriott after having stayed there once. The Autograph Marriott in Venice is not a bad hotel, but it is way overpriced for what you get.
That is why so many of us are looking elsewhere. We realize we have other options now that Marriott is taking away our rewards repeatedly, one by one until it has reached a critical mass. Michelle and Andy, if you have influence with corporate, you need to communicate these issues. They are not going to go away, and they are driving us away.
And just a cautionary note to number crunchers in the tourist business: my students would not consider staying at a Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott. Even though I teach at an 'elite' college, the students want either a boutique hotel, a foreign family experience or a bed and breakfast. So if corporate is looking to the next generation, I suggest they look again.
ProfChiara
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Have they ever considered.....a level ABOVE Platinum
I am sure like most of you I reach Platinum by June. Why not another level with a few more perks. I stayed 110 nights last year and did 28 meetings. I could retire on points and just live there. Although sitting in one right now I can say only thing I miss is my family and dog. First time at San Mateo and I have a 2 story room and this property is perfect for smaller meetings close to SFO. Easy to deal with and very attentive unlike the massive SFO Airport Marriott. The line dancing conference did me in before Christmas. I have found my new home for 2012! Congrats San Mateo.....you just got my meetings and a new housemate! Karie in sales even offered to keep some of my things so I do not have to lug them every week form the east coast! Mimi in the Lounge....my new Mama!
I would like the challenge for Executive Platinum or Diamond. Could be fun to try! Ever thought of it? I already have lifetime but they only kicks in when we retire and loose status...many years away for me.
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Allow Platinum Premiers to get access to the Club lounge at the Ritz
As Platinum Premiers we should be granted access to the club lounge at the Ritz hotels. Why if we are the top earners for Marriott do we not get the benefits we deserve. Also, I was told that we don't have access to use points for the new Bulgari hotels in Europe. Why not recognize PP across all hotel brands.
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Points R us
Well, let's say we are going to spend a week at a Category eight hotel, plunking down 240,000 points.
But let's look at the equivalent cost per night
Five weekday nights are at $500 a night and cost 40,000 points per night (ignoring the free night), but actually costs 34,286 points when you do include that free one
Two weekend nights are at $300 a night and also cost 40,000 points per night.
Why can't the two nights at $300 cost 30,000 points each? Or if the room was $250, then 25,000 points?
Just wondering, that's all. Doing this would soften the blow of new categories and diminished bang for the points buck!
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1st time visit to Paris in April 2013
Will be taking the train from London and have 3 nights booked using 40,000 points per night at Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel. Thoughts on choice of hotel (not too late to change) for ease of transport from train station and location to see the sights of Paris. We are gold elite so are upgrades available and concierge lounge access/free breakfast available?
Thanks for insights.
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Cruise awards
Hello everyone, this is my first time reading all your interesting comments. I am a life time platinum premier member and have been staying at a CY in Easton Columbus, OH for the last 3+ years and though I have seen people come and go they have all been very pleasant and accommodating. Yes I only get points or gift and I agree breakfast should be an included for our level,and they just did away with the free coffee this weekend so I am questioning m loyalty in what continued stays will achieve.
My question today is did I miss something in the news? I no longer see booking cruises and using our points to pay for a cruise as an option. This would be terrible, I have used my points to take 3 different cruises and still am sitting with over a million points.
What did I miss/
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I just ordered dinner for 2 coupon by reward point. and i need express delivery service for next weeks event. i just sent a mail to contact center, but worried about late delivery.how could i check the status of my request? FYI i'm in s. Korea.
I just ordered dinner for 2 coupon by reward point. and i need express delivery service for next weeks event. i just sent a mail to contact center, but worried about late delivery.how could i check the status of my request? FYI i'm in s. Korea.
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Platinum Premier - An Insulting Status, If Ever There Was One.
Hi, all. For those that do not know, there is a level called Platinum Premier that is supposed to be above the "Platinum" level. The status used to mean something, as I found out, when I first attained it in 2005. I find the status, this time around, to be an insult.
- The "status" is meant to recognize the top 3% of those in the Marriott Rewards program; it used to recognize the top 3% of those with Platinum status;
- The status gets you NOTHING over the regular "Platinum" status.
- It used to be that your Platinum Premier card entitled you to a 10-15% discount in any restaurant in the hotel in which you were staying( it was indicated on the back of the card);
- You would get both arrival gifts (points AND a pantry item and some water);
- The General Manager would make it a point to meet you, personally;
- The staff would actually recognize you as a "Platinum Premier" not just "Platinum".
I just got off the phone with Marriott Rewards and the representative on the other end of the line told me that Platinum Premier gets you nothing over Platinum. It is just a way to recognize the top 3% and that some members like to have the card and "puff out their chest" about the status.
Well, I am not one of those people. If I have "earned" a status, then that status should come with some benefit, otherwise it is an insult. Telling someone that you want to "recognize" their status without any real reward showing that recognition is empty and disingenuous. Why have a "status level" above another one, if the benefits are EXACTLY the same as the "lower" level?
I am curious to hear what other Platinum Premier members think about this and really interested to hear what an official Marriott rep has to say.
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Definition of Stay (Mega Bonus)
Can someone enlighten me what constitute a stay in the megabonus 2013? A quote form the megabonus 2013 webpage state "A stay is defined as consecutive nights spend at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity."
Does a one night stay in a participating hotels constitute a stay or it must be two consecutive nights?
If two consecutive nights constitute a stay, then if staying for four nights means you paid two stays and thereby entitled to a free e-cert night?
Thanks
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Platinum Elite for Life -
So I just found out about the Platinum Elite for life program.
Qualifications are:
Emeritus Platinum status is offered after the following qualifications are met:
Guest has been a member of Marriott Rewards program for 12 years, with at least one year at Platinum Elite.
Guest has stayed 1,000 nights over the history of the Marriott Rewards account.
2,000,000 total points earned during the history of the account.
So I find myself having all of this EXCEPT the 12 years of membership (I'm only at 10 1/2). What I don't understand is why this is even a requirement. I've done all the hard stuff to prove my loyalty and could literally stop staying in Marriotts and get my lifetime Platinum status (which is awesome thank you). It sure would be better if I could get it now. I've dropped to Gold(after 9 straight years of Platinum and Platinum Elite) due to coming off the road for the birth of my child. I'll likely make Platinum before the end of this year (only missed it by a couple of days last year) which will carry me through to my lifetime status but if I miss it again by a few nights I'll be uber dissappointed.
Can someone explain to me the thinking of the 12 year requirement?
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Loyal Members United To Voice: We Will or Considering Switch Our Business
Like many of you, I have moved my business travel to Marriott and have been loyal for over 22 years. MR continues to treat its most loyal guests like beggars.
Voicing here doesn't mean much to their Marketing executives. We should vote and register our pledge here: move our business to others. The more of us speak up, the more they recognize their potential impact.
So, can you pledge to send and alert at least four other MR members and tell each of them to also alert another four. With this domino effect, our efforts will mean something.
Also, even if you don't know four MR members, tell at least four travelers DON'T BE A MR MEMBER. Tell them to tell others as well.
Tell them sign up anything such as hilton, SPG, Fairmont, BW, etc.
MR need to know this will affect their current loyal guests as well as future guests.
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Cost of a free night - Marriott/Hilton/SPG
I posted my previous chart right before the announcement by the major chains regarding changes to their reward/loyalty programs. There have been many posts relating to switching and trying out other programs, especially those of us that may be Platinum lifers where the switching costs of maintaining status is very low. Some of you might not agree with this analytic approach to comparing, but it does provide me with a "price basis" of the reward program.
This analysis looks at the points needed to redeem per category based on the various number of nights. It then translates that into "how much would I need to spend at this chain to get enough points to redeem" the given reward. For instance, under the new 2013 changes a Cat 1 one-night reward at Marriott runs 7,500 points. For Hilton, it is now 5,000 (down from 7,500 in 2012 and from 10,000 in 2007). A Marriott platinum would earn 15 points for every dollar, as well as a Hilton diamond. Therefore, it would cost the Marriott platinum $500 in room charges versus the Hilton diamond $333 in room charges to receive the same category reward. A SPG platinum would need to spend $1,000 for the same entry level reward. So for this reward, Marriott has a $167 premium spend and SPG has a $667 premium spend for the same reward. At the top category for each program, a Marriott platinum needs to spend $3,000 for one night in a category 9 while a Hilton diamond would need to spend up to $6,333 (or as little as $4,667) for the same one night.
Granted, categories across chains as well as within chains have no real standard of comparison, This does translate the rewards programs into a dollar comparison for a level of reward. Then you throw in promotions such as MegaBonus and other free night/point boosting carrots, and it makes it harder to compare programs (intentionally). It is interesting to note that Marriott has kept the same point level separation between levels over the past 10 years while only adding three levels and increasing the point ceiling for top properties by 15,000 points/night. Hilton has reduced their lowest category point redemption requirements of its lowest three levels over the past decade, have added FOUR new levels, and increased the point ceiling for the top properties by as much as 55,000 points/night (40,000 to 95,000). Starwood has only added one level and added 5,000 point/night to its top level.
In the end, you still need to spend a lot more money at either Hilton or Starwood to get similar reward nights at Marriott.
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Use 'em while you can, advises Market Watch
As other Insiders have said, use them cause they'll be worthless sooner than later.
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