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Interesting Speculation about Upcoming Changes to Marriott Rewards

Possible Elite status changes and devaluation

This forum has been quiet about the rumors of changes in elite status requirements and devaluation. As most of you know from either Marriott Insiders or Flyertalk there are a number of scenarios being floated. For me...and many of you...a revenue based requirement for elite status would be a problem. I probably have 28 nights a year "free" (haha...just purchase price and maintenance fees) from timeshare stays that get credited toward elite status now. Wonder what the Tuggers have heard about possible changes??
 
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Haven't heard anything official. A few of the rumored specifics being talked about on flyertalk and Marriott Insiders sound ridiculous, way too much of a devaluation. Some are theorizing that Marriott is allowing them to be leaked because then when the actual devaluations are officially announced, we'll be happy that things aren't as bad as they could have been. That's as ridiculous an idea, IMO.

I expect devaluations. I don't expect Doomsday for everyone except those eligible for what will supposedly be a new Platinum Premier level of benefits.

Edited to add links:
Marriott Rewards Insiders - How will points change in 2014?

Flyertalk - Marriott Rewards Insiders Speculating About Big Changes coming to Marriott Rewards???
 
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melroseman said:
This forum has been quiet about the rumors of changes in elite status requirements and devaluation. As most of you know from either Marriott Insiders or Flyertalk there are a number of scenarios being floated. For me...and many of you...a revenue based requirement for elite status would be a problem. I probably have 28 nights a year "free" (haha...just purchase price and maintenance fees) from timeshare stays that get credited toward elite status now. Wonder what the Tuggers have heard about possible changes??
Click to expand...

A revenue based requirement for elite status would be nothing new. PLT Premier status used to be based a few years back on the formula of: Number of Nights, Number of Years in Program, and Revenue in a given year. Today, its much easier to qualify.

I sure hope they bring the revenue based model back. That would allow the program to reward loyalty instead of freeloaders.

FT
 
Marriott is notorious for leaking information way in advance.

I believe they listen to the grumblings and probably make slight adjustments accordingly. The early release of the possible bad scenarios actually makes the truth more bearable.


Sort of like how when gasoline went from $2.50 to $4, and then when it went back down to $3.5 everybody was happy again.
 
I guess my view on this, would certainly depend on the criteria for any revenue based model to be introduced.
My annual hotel spend is relatively low these days.
However, I do pay $10k+ per annum on MFs, having already shelled out the best best part of $200k on buying my weeks.
I do understand that this may not now be a discretionary spend, but at the same time I would still expect this type of loyalty to be rewarded and not to be treated as a "freeloader"!
 
They lost us as "valued customers" a couple of years ago. I don't even use our MR CC at Marriott resorts or to make hotel,reservations anymore.

It would be no surprise that a cash requirement be required for elected status. Cruise lines have begun to tie dollars spent to loyalty status and airlines have begun to roll this out as well. I'm sure hotel loyalty programs will be right in there.

It's funny how they all set up these loyalty rewards programs to attract new customers, then expanded them and now feel they must reign them in as they've given away to much in a tight economy.

I have no problem with it. They'll now have to compete strictly on value, customer service and more often than not on price.
 
Here is what "takingthehighroad" said on the reward insiders/ Marriott site
I recently spoke with someone who works at Marriott and he said there may be radical changes coming to MR that will be announced later this Spring and take effect in 2015.
The changes being discussed include:
>The points required for award stays will be increased by at least 5,000 points per night across all levels and the 5th night free will disappear.
>Category 10 will be added and require 60,000 points per night (read mass devaluation),
>a new level will be announced above Platinum and the requirements will be formally revealed. (i.e. everyone will know how to achieve PP, if that is what it is called)
>New benefits for Gold, Plat, and the new PP will be announced. These will include things like confirmed suite upgrades (for the new PP), instant upgrades using online check-in, free breakfast (including resorts for the new PP ), free parking, and free "lifestyle events," at the hotels during your stay,
>The offerings in the concierge lounges in NA will be enhanced and will include free beer, wine and spirits where local laws permit.
>However, Concierge lounge access will be eliminated for Golds and Plats unless upgraded to the concierge level rooms. (Gold and Plats will continue to receive free continental breakfast in the restaurant or points.)
>MR is looking at different models for awarding elite status including annual hotel spend, instead of nights stayed (similar to Delta's and United FF requirements for elite status). Spend in bars and restaurants will be included. Deeply discounted rates, such as Government Rates, group and convention rates, and special promotion rates will not count towards the spend requirement.

Not sure how much of the above will actually come to fruition and how much was simply speculation. Keep in mind, as baby boomers ride off into the sunset and decrease their business travel, MI and MR have to cater the program to the new breed of business travelers (read Millennials), that will make up the core group of business travelers for the next couple of decades.
Click to expand...
 
We stayed at the Phoenix Ritz-Carlton this past week, using a corporate rate because Don was there on business but with his MR number attached. Even if it had been a rack rate, I was expecting only the 1,000 Points as a Welcome Gift and no other perks. Plus as a last-minute reservation it was noted that no King rooms were available so I wasn't expecting our usual room type either.

It was fantastic! They upgraded us to a mountain view King room on the 10th floor, gave us turndown service with cookies and chocolates, left free water bottles and tons of toiletries … they gave us everything just short of access to the concierge lounge on the 11th floor.

We definitely will lose Plat status if the Elite Nights from VISA spends aren't counted anymore, will probably lose it if the timeshare stays don't count for Elite Nights. Although it pretty much means nothing when using our owned Weeks/DC Points, it makes a big difference in our non-timeshare stays. I'll be sad but what can be done about it? It doesn't make sense to go away from Marriott hotels in a huff because if we're not able to maintain Marriott status based on only hotel stays, we won't be able to maintain any other company's status either. The majority of our travel is leisure, not business, at the timeshares more often than hotels. MR status doesn't count for much there. <shrug>
 
I wonder how big a hit their Visa card will take, and ultimately if that will factor into their decision. Credit cards are big business, and if they devalue card benefits, a lot of Marriott Visa card holders may find that other programs offer more attractive benefits.
 
Between these rumors and the devaluation of points last year, I am losing faith in the value of the system. I am platinum and if there are more changes I will definitely have to take a look at the options that are out there and determine if this is the best program for me. Most of my stays are in Lake Placid and they have been very good to me there. My loyalty is more to that individual property than to the Marriott brand.
 
We would never make any elite status if they move to a revenue based system. Shoot, we can make gold on timeshare stays, credit card nights and a few leisure stays along. They probably make about $400 a year off of us gross. Though that doesn't count the percentage that MVCI that we pay in our maintenance fees. Then they turn around and pay Marriott International that $50MM licensing fee.
 
So I wonder if they'll "grandfather" existing Lifetime Platinum Members, or will they make them re-achieve becoming Lifetime Platinum Members using the new changes that may be put into place?




.
 
gregloucks said:
Who are the "freeloaders" that achieve status?
Click to expand...

Last year, Marriott granted Gold status to thousands and thousands of United FF's that had a certain tier. MR members got the lowest United tier--silver.

This bloated gold rosters. Packed the lounges etc.
 
TheTimeTraveler said:
So I wonder if they'll "grandfather" existing Lifetime Platinum Members, or will they make them re-achieve becoming Lifetime Platinum Members using the new changes that may be put into place?




.
Click to expand...

I am 30 nights from LT Plat. Should have it by June……. I hope there's time for me to make it.
 
EducatedConsumer said:
You should ask one of the "Lifetime" Season Pass holders at Killington Ski Resort in Vermont about their "Lifetime" season passes. SEE:

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/NEWS04/705180371/1002/NEWS01
Click to expand...

This story sucks, but is a different situation. The company that sold them ceased to exit. The resort still existed, but was not obligated to honor those passes. MR will still exist…..I am hopeful they won't undo what others have earned and were promised for long term loyalty.
 
All the major hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Rewards, have always been largely a revenue based model for most things except elite status. Certainly earning points is primarily revenue based and always has been. And Marriott Rewards already has a rather strong element of revenue in its elite requirements, albeit somewhat indirect. I am referring to the elite nights you get from credit card spending. Even counting timeshare stays toward elite night credit was indirectly revenue based in recognition of the huge dollars timeshare buyers had spent with Marriott to buy their weeks.

It is interesting that much of the commentary I have read on the move by airlines toward a revenue based model say they are moving more towards the revenue based model used by hotels. I suspect any adverse changes will have less to do with becoming revenue based (we already have that) than with points devaluation. That is what I am most afraid of. Hilton has really gutted the value of their HHonors program through devaluation.
 
Mr. Vker said:
Last year, Marriott granted Gold status to thousands and thousands of United FF's that had a certain tier. MR members got the lowest United tier--silver.

This bloated gold rosters. Packed the lounges etc.
Click to expand...

I guess that the lounges could only be packed with guests staying at the hotel so Marriott would have achieved their objective - more United FF members were now staying at Marriott hotels.

To me the reciprocal membership has no attraction - I don't live in the USA and so United is not of any interest as a FF program.

Like many here my elite status is driven by my TS stays not hotel stays but when staying in a hotel it is almost always a Marriott, usually on our way to or from a TS stay.

In 2013 I had 118 nights of which 95 were actual real nights, the balance being rollovers - 12, CC nights - 10 (UK CC gives only 10 nights and nothing for spend other than 2000 MR points each year), Birthday bonus - 1.

Of those 95 nights most were TS stays and some were hotel stays. If TS stays were not to count for my elite status, then I would move my hotel stays to benefit my FF status at BA and ditch the Marriott UK CC in favour of my BAEC Amex to focus on my FF POINTS.

I do not regard my TS stays as freeloading on the MR programme
 
BocaBoy said:
All the major hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Rewards, have always been largely a revenue based model for most things except elite status. Certainly earning points is primarily revenue based and always has been. And Marriott Rewards already has a rather strong element of revenue in its elite requirements, albeit somewhat indirect. I am referring to the elite nights you get from credit card spending. Even counting timeshare stays toward elite night credit was indirectly revenue based in recognition of the huge dollars timeshare buyers had spent with Marriott to buy their weeks.

It is interesting that much of the commentary I have read on the move by airlines toward a revenue based model say they are moving more towards the revenue based model used by hotels. I suspect any adverse changes will have less to do with becoming revenue based (we already have that) than with points devaluation. That is what I am most afraid of. Hilton has really gutted the value of their HHonors program through devaluation.
Click to expand...

I would thing that Marriott makes money from Chase for every elite night Chase grants a MR member. So there is revenue there. The difference when someone stays 50 nights in a Fairfield Inn vs someone who spends 50 nights in a full service Marriott or Renn. There is likely a big revenue difference there. Though that FFI user doesn't get the same benefits that the person staying at the full service Marriott does. Though of course, once they hit 50 nights at the Fairfield Inns, they could take their stays to the full service Marriott's and get the same benefits.
 
MALC9990 said:
I do not regard my TS stays as freeloading on the MR programme
Click to expand...

I do not either. I do think the United action has really filled the lounges. Suddenly any United passenger that was Silver can get into the lounge etc. Its also a very hot button on Flyertalk.
 
As much as I love the Marriotts, they are not the only hotels around. I also truly enjoy the IHG properties, Club Carlson, Hilton, and many of the Best Westerns in EUROPE. Many of them are in old Manor Houses seeped in history, castles, a few purchased from Grand Hotels, etc. I spread it all around and have top or VERY high status in all and get excellent benefits and upgrades, especially in Europe and the Middle East. I am Platinum on Marriott again this year but next year who knows...
 
gregloucks said:
Who are the "freeloaders" that achieve status?
Click to expand...

Today's diluted MR program allows members to attain elite status and benefits without having to step a foot into a Marriott property or provide Marriott with any revenue whatsoever.

American Airlines Advantage program was same until 2 years ago when they recalibrated their Elite status tiers to require actually using their product to get the benefits. As a direct result, you can no longer achieve Lifetime PLT status using any kind of bonuses, credit card point schemes, or other affiliate program perks.

FT
 
I load up on Marriott Rewards because it is advantageous for me. I will change direction immediately when it doesn't. I'm going to be lifetime platinum this year or early next year. I have 1.2 million points. If it doesn't go my way, I will immediately begin to unload the points and look at other options.
 
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