@Aim_High wrote:Always good to hear other perspectives.
I think part of the challenge with using points is finding good valuations for redemption, but otherwise holding onto them if possible. In my case, I was able to use my 85K points for a big city room that normally goes for $600 to $800 a night. And I've noticed that as demand for rooms fluctuate, points value does as well. I would guess that $120 a night room was under increased demand for some reason. My big city hotel room was expensive more for location that the quality of the room or amenities. I mean, it was nice, but not $800 nice, IMO. It was just a vanilla Marriott and not one of their higher-tier brands.
As for the deflation of elite status, I understand those complaints from members whose travel naturally allows them to reach the highest levels. I personally think Marriott has achieved a nice balance.
- With Hilton, the AMEX Aspire card allows you to directly buy access to their highest Diamond status with the AMEX Aspire card. I agree it shouldn't be that easy to just buy status. (Member-Silver-Gold-Diamond.)
- With Hyatt, the Chase World of Hyatt card gives you Discoverist status (one above basic member) for the $95 AF and with the opportunity to add qualifying nights albeit with a LOT of spend. (2 nights per $5K means $50K spend to reach Explorist and then another $75K to reach Globalist. And then, you still can't reach Lifetime Globalist based on nights: you must have accrued 1Million base points. (Member-Discoverist-Explorist-Globalist-Lifetime Globalist.)
- IHG allows immediate access to 2nd-to-the-top Platinum status when you add the Chase Rewards Premier card ($99 AF). And upgrade to top-tier Diamond status is available for a relatively modest $40K annual spend. (Member-Silver-Gold-Platinum-Diamond.)
- Marriott is in the middle with more tiers, ability to buy into the lower levels similar to Hyatt with a $95 or $250 AF card (Silver or Gold); ability to buy into mid-tier Platinum status with a higher AF card (Brilliant: $650); and somewhat of a shortcut to Titanium with the 25 night credits (40 if you add the business card's night credits.) However, you still end up with only 40 nights and Titanium requires 75, so 35 annual paid night stays are still required. And then, to reach Ambassador Elite requires both 100 nights credit PLUS $23K annual spend. To reach the highest "Lifetime" Marriott status (Lifetime Platinum Elite) also requires 600 nights and 10+ years as Platinum Elite or higher. So IMO, there's no need for Marriott to add additional uber-elite tiers; they are already there and much better protected than Hilton or IHG, yet a little more accessible than Hyatt without actual hotel night stays. (Member-Silver-Gold-Platinum-Titanium-Ambassador Elite. And Lifetime Silver-Gold-Platinum options with 250/400/600 nights.)
I believe the hotel chains struggle to balance between rewarding their most-frequent road warrior travelers while also not ignoring those travelers whose travel needs aren't as high in order to build loyalty and revenues. Making elite status too easy does cheapen the status. But making it too difficult discourages the opportunity to build more brand loyalty since many travelers won't even join if the opportunity to advance is daunting. Just not worth the effort. As I've mentioned before, I stay on average at least 8 nights a month in hotels for business travel but I can't claim the night-stay credits due to the way the reservations are made by my employer. I also have no choice in where I stay although Marriot brands are frequent destinations. For my non-room spend in hotel such as dining, I'm earning Bonvoy points. Because of credit cards like the Bonvoy Brilliant, I chose to preference Marriott for my personal travel and the ability to buy partial status. If that wasn't available, I know that in my case I'd not be Marriott loyal. I'd be searching for the best rates available on third-party travel websites.
I think part of it is that I'm a bit salty after having spent a significant amount of money over 10 years to achieve what is now Lifetime Titanium Elite status (unadvertised), Marriott has lowered the bar with the large amount of bonus nights towards elite status. From a status perspective, other than the occasional lounge access at the hotels I use, I've found room upgrades to be few and far between. So many of the Marriott branded hotels are franchise owned and can pick and choose which rules they want to follow, regardless of corporate agreements. I once had a Residence Inn claim they were a resort, even though Marriott corporate disagreed and therefore wouldn't give us a late checkout, even by one hour. I was on the phone with Corporate for hours during our family dinner and they were arguing with the hotel to no avail. We needed the late checkout due to food allergy needs of storing very specific food in the refrigerator and freezer.
I do agree that if you are looking for status and you are able to extract value out of it, that the the BB definitely helps. If you can get even one room upgrade in a year, it could be worth $80+. The lounge access can save on meals $30-$50, and the bonus points also add value. That plus the 85K certificate, even in the worst of circumstances, will have a $120+ value. If you are spending a lot of time in Marriott owned hotels, I could understand how, even at $650 it could be worth it. If you are staying at Marriott franchise hotels, which is normally where I stay, it starts to lose some appeal, IMHO.
Starting Score: 800