Earlier today we posted about the rewards categories for SPG/Marriott properties being announced. Reddit user nikdaquik noticed that they also released details of the travel packages as well. It’s not really good news though as currently you pay 200,000 points for a seven night package category 1-5 & get 50,000 miles with most airlines for 200,000 Marriott points. Under the new program that will cost 255,000 points. Similarly 7 nights & 100,000 miles at category 1-5 currently costs 250,000 points and will soon cost 330,000 points (keep in mind category 1-5 currently is basically 1-4 under the new program point wise). I guess that means floater certificates won’t be converted to points.
The new pricing will go into effect on August 1st, 2018. You can view the old pricing here.
I really hope the reason why they are being tight lipped about the current vouchers is because they will do the right thing and either make it fair or better than fair. Im going to try to buy 2 x 5 night 70k category 8s before Aug 1st and hope for the best
Had planned to keep to Marriott Rewards Premium CC rather than taking the 20k points chas is offering to up it/change over, to premium+ thinking there may be a difference in the yearly certificate(annual award night vs points), now I doubt I’d ever get 20k worth of value. that way if any the annual will likely be the same or nearly so with a forced conversion coming. I have put some spend on the card but never saw or noticed any way an elite night credit. Is any one here decide to to keep their original Rewards cards and turn down the point bonus? Sorry this is off topic, thanks you guys and gals.
If what you really need is cat 1 (7500 points per night) for 7 nights, then is actually way worse than booking the hotel and doing the 3:1 airline transfer separately! And many Protea hotels in southern Africa are cat 1, and that’s where I’d be most likely to want to stay 7 nights. Most other places in the world 7 nights is way too much for me, since my vacations are about exploring, not lounging on a beach.
Just called for a second travel package. The Rep was nice and expert on these. Took 5 minutes. I asked her if she had many requests for travel packages over the past days since the devaluation was announced and she said nope. Very few requests.
Might be old news, but I just had the below 100k Marriott Personal Premiere Plus offer pop up when I was logging out of my Marriott account ($5k spend). Could be useful if some people (like me) are trying to bank some Marriott points to buy the old vacation packages before they go away 8/1.
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/marriottpremierplus?CELL=60Y3&SPID=FS7C
For what it is worth I booked 7N Cat 8 for next June and did NOT get the option to attach my cert so it is still possible they’ll just sweep the old certs to points.
Nor did I but a phone call fixed it.
AFAIK, you always had to call to redeem a 7-night certificate. I am just worried they will devalue them before Aug 1st.
I have to give kudos to Marriott here for giving such a long heads up on this for planning purposes. It’s a nasty change but at least they didn’t spring it overnight.
Oh good to know. Buying now!
SPG/Marriott points devalue almost 50%
Just applied for the Marriott cards last week. Hopefully I can move up the statement closing date to have the points posted before the devaluation… How long does Chase take to post the points into the Marriott account after meeting the MSR?
Usually they do not allow changing statement date before first statement.