Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program -- Good Hotel Choices But Room For Improvement

Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty program of Marriott International, has been a topic of discussion among travelers due to its points conversion system. While the program offers a range of benefits, there have been notable concerns regarding the value and flexibility of converting points, leading some to consider it less favorable compared to other loyalty programs.

The key questions for travelers are the choice of rewards and the value of points.

There are 31 different Marriott hotel brands, ranging from affordable to luxury. We’ve organized the brands by price point to help you familiarize yourself with the different properties. 

Luxury brands

The hotels in this category are expensive, well known and try to offer high-end experiences for guests.

• The Ritz-Carlton.

• St. Regis.

• JW Marriott.

• Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

• The Luxury Collection. 

• W Hotels.

• Edition.

 Premium brands

These premium brand hotels are sophisticated, but priced lower than the luxury brands.

• Marriott Hotels.

• Sheraton.

• Marriott Vacation Club.

• Delta Hotels.

• Le Meridien.

• Westin.

• Renaissance Hotels.

• Gaylord Hotels.

 Select brands

These moderately priced properties offer useful amenities, comfortable spaces and feature locally inspired designs.

• Courtyard Hotels.

• Four Points.

• SpringHill Suites.

• Protea Hotels.

• Fairfield Inn & Suites.

• City Express.

• AC Hotels.

• Aloft Hotels.

• Moxy Hotels.

Understanding the Value of Points: One of the primary issues raised by members is the perceived decrease in the value of Marriott Bonvoy points. According to recent analyses, Marriott Bonvoy points are estimated to be worth about 0.8 cents each when redeemed for award stays. This valuation is considered below average for a hotel reward program, especially when compared to competitors like Hyatt, which offers a value of 2.3 cents per point.

Dynamic Pricing: A Double-Edged Sword The shift to dynamic pricing has also been a point of contention. About a year ago, Marriott Bonvoy scrapped its eight award categories and moved to dynamic pricing, which allows the hotel chain to adjust award stay costs at its discretion. While this can mean more flexibility, it also introduces uncertainty, as members may need more points for an award night than previously required. Invariably, the costs for the choice of hotel and time of stay will work against you. Most people want to travel during the peak seasons to the peak locations. For example, you may want to Park City Utah during ski season rather than during summer so the pricing will reflect that desire.

Transfer Troubles Transferring points between programs is another area where Marriott Bonvoy has faced criticism. The transfer process can be slow and irreversible, posing a risk if award availability changes while waiting for points to transfer. This can leave members with points stranded in a program they have little use for beyond their originally intended award ticket or hotel night.

Customer Service and Transparency Customer Service Experiences have also been mixed, with some members reporting issues such as incorrect elite status, points advance booking debacles, and misinformed customer service agents. Additionally, there have been instances of "redemption games," where availability for points reservations is blocked, then opened up under new, higher rates.

Conclusion Marriott Bonvoy has a great selection of hotels to choose from and while Marriott Bonvoy offers a range of benefits and opportunities for earning and redeeming points, the program's conversion system has room for improvement. Members are encouraged to stay informed about the value of their points, understand the implications of dynamic pricing, and approach point transfers with caution. As with any loyalty program, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it aligns with your travel goals and preferences.