Everything You Need to Know About Marriott and Rewards Program
Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, series, or news.
Today (Baronial 17, 2018): the new combined Marriott, SPG, & Ritz-Carlton loyalty program explained.
In 2016, when the Marriott hotel grouping purchased all hotels in the Starwood portfolio, non much changed to their loyalty programs. In addition, Marriott also managed a carve up loyalty programme for their Ritz-Carlton properties. Tomorrow, Baronial 18th, the loyalty programs of Marriott (Marriott Rewards), Starwood (Starwood Preferred Invitee or SPG) and Ritz-Carlton (Ritz-Carlton Rewards) are finally uniting into one program with 110 million (!!!) members. As for now, the three programs will co-exist along each other, until a new proper name for the program will be introduced in 2019. It'southward time to have an in-depth wait at the new loyalty program, with everything you need to know from earning points and elite status benefits to free hotel nights and boosting your frequent flyer accounts. I will focus on Marriott Rewards in this commodity, merely everything mentioned hither also applies to SPG and Ritz-Carlton Rewards (the three programs are at present identical). I highly recommend to subscribe to the (new) loyalty program – which you tin can practice for gratuitous – every bit information technology's the all-time in the travel manufacture.
With the new program, members can earn points and substitution them for valuable rewards when they beyond Marriott'south 31 different hotel brands in almost 6000 locations in more than 110 countries
How exercise you feel about the new program? Exit a comment below.
In this overview, I explicate the new Marriott Rewards plan:
- Membership tiers
- Earn Marriott Reward points
- Redeem awards & travel for free
- Pros & things I like about Marriott Rewards
- Cons & things I don't similar about Marriott Rewards
- Reviews of Marriott luxury hotels around the world
- Cardinal points
- Poll: what's the best hotel loyalty program?
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MARRIOT REWARDS EXPLAINED: MEMBERSHIP TIERS
Marriott Rewards is a height course awards structure offering a 5-tier system of awards points. Silver Elite is the first level, Gilt Aristocracy the second, Platinum Elite the third, Platinum Premier Elite the fourth, and finally Platinum Premier Elite With Ambassador is the top-level. Each level has benefits and every bit the member moves from Silver Elite to Premier Elite With Administrator, they become more valuable. But fifty-fifty basic members without elite status relish some benefits, such as member but rates, mobile cheque-in and free standard in-room WiFi as long as you book directly on Marriott.com, Marriott's mobile app, Marriott'southward call center, or through a Marriott hotel. For an overview of all aristocracy membership levels, click hither.
- Silver Elite is reached after completing ten eligible nights in a calendar year and comes with the following benefits:
- x% bonus on Marriott Rewards points
- Belatedly check-out (when requested and available)
- Access to an elite reservation line to make reservations or request redemption stays and reward certificates
- Reservation guarantee: if for some reason the hotel is unable to honor your reservation, Marriott will pay for your accommodations that night at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience.
- Gold Elite is reached later completing 25 eligible nights in a calendar year and comes with the following benefits:
- 25% bonus on Marriott Rewards points
- Guaranteed 2 p.one thousand. tardily checkout, subject to availability
- Room upgrade (based on availability at check-in)
- Welcome souvenir (250 to 500 bonus points, varies past brand)
- Access to an aristocracy reservation line to brand reservations or asking redemption stays and reward certificates.
- Reservation guarantee: if for some reason the hotel is unable to honor your reservation, Marriott will pay for your accommodations that dark at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience.
- Platinum Aristocracy is reached later on completing 50 eligible nights in a agenda year and comes with the following benefits:
- 50% bonus on Marriott Rewards points
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. belatedly checkout, subject to availability
- Room upgrade, including suites (based on availability at check-in)
- Welcome gift (500 to 1000 bonus points – varies by brand – or breakfast or assiduities)
- Complimentary premium internet.
- Guaranteed room & bed type
- Lounge access
- Annual choice do good (5 suite night awards or gift option)
- Access to a defended elite line to make reservations or asking redemption stays and reward certificates.
- Reservation guarantee: if for some reason the hotel is unable to accolade your reservation, Marriott will pay for your accommodations that night at a nearby hotel and recoup you for the inconvenience.
- Platinum Premier Elite is reached after completing 75 eligible nights in a agenda yr and comes with the following benefits:
- 75% bonus on Marriott Rewards points
- Guaranteed four p.m. late checkout, subject to availability
- Room upgrade, including suites (based on availability at check-in)
- Welcome gift (bonus points or breakfast)
- Complimentary premium internet
- Guaranteed room & bed type
- Lounge access
- An additional almanac souvenir choice (5 Suite Night Awards or Gift Option)
- Guaranteed room availability when yous make a reservation at to the lowest degree 48 hours before arrival
- Admission to a dedicated elite line to make reservations or request redemption stays and reward certificates.
- Reservation guarantee: if for some reason the hotel is unable to award your reservation, Marriott will pay for your accommodations that night at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience.
- Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador is reached afterward completing 100 eligible nights and $20,000 USD of spend at Marriott properties in a calendar year. If you meet the ambassador qualifications, you lot'll receive all the Platinum Premier Elite benefits, along with the following:
- Ambassador service (your contact person to brand your stays as personal and enjoyable as possible)
- Your24: flexibility to cull your check-in and checkout time
MARRIOTT REWARD: EARN POINTS
There are several ways to earn Marriott Rewards points and boost your account:
- You earn 10 base points for every US dollar spent on all qualifying charges with stays at the Marriott grouping. Points can be earned beyond allmost all brands on room charge per unit and incidentals that tin can be charged to the room, such as dining and spa services. Some exceptions apply:
- At Element, Residence Inn, and TownPlace Suites y'all earn 5 base points per dollar.
- At BVLGARI Hotels and Ritz-Carlton Reserves, you earn nothing at all as these brand practice currently non participate into the Marriott Rewards plan.
- Marriott Rewardselite members automatically receive actress bonus points on all the base points they earn: a 10% bonus for Silver Elite condition, a 25% bonus for Aureate Elite, a 50% bonus for Platinum Elite, and a 75% bonus for Platinum Premier Elite.
- You earn Marriott Rewards points with selected travel partners: Hertz, Avios, Diners Club, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Cruises Only, and Traveling Connect. The partner list changes regularly and then check the Marriott Rewards website for the latest updates.
- Y'all earn Marriott Rewards points when you shop online for your favorite brands in Marriott's shopping portal, called Marriott Rewards More. The online shopping portal is only available to residents of the U.s., Canada and the UK.
- You can as wellbuy Marriott Advantage points online, upward to 50,000 points per calendar yr for yourself or some other Marriott Rewards fellow member.
- You earn miles with 'r ewarding events', when you hold a meeting, conference, wedding or other issue at a participating Marriott brand hotel. Per each qualifying issue, base members can earn upward to lx,000 points (2 points per $one USD); while Platinum Premier Aristocracy members tin can earn upwards to 105,000 points per qualifying consequence. If you choose to earn frequent flyer airline miles instead of points, all member tiers can earn a maximum of 20,000 miles (1 mile per $1 USD) per qualifying event. You also become 10 elite status qualifying nights when you lot book your start coming together — and reach Argent Aristocracy status automatically.
- You earn up to 50,000 points per calendar year forreferring friends. Yous can refer upwards to 5 new members each calendar year, and will earn 2,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points for each stay your referrals make beginning with their first paid stay, up to five stays per referral. Your friends volition also earn two,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points beginning with their first paid stay, upward to 5 stays. That'due south 10,000 bonus points for them, in addition to the base points they'll earn. Plus, you'll earn one aristocracy qualifying nighttime for every boosted 20 room nights you volume — up to 20 aristocracy qualifying nights per contract.
- Spent via Marriott brandedcredit cards is 1 of the fastest ways to earn Marriott Advantage Points. These credit cards are only bachelor to residents of the U.s.a., Great britain, Canada, United Arab Emirates and Japan. Both American Limited and Chase issue credit cards for Marriott's new loyalty program. For example, the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus VISA card comes with a $95 USD annual fee and offers the following benefits:
- six points for every $1 spent at 6,500+ participating hotels.
- ii points for every $i spent on all other purchases.
- Silver Status with the Marriott Rewards plan.
- one free night hotel stay at a holding with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.
- Coming in 2019: 15 credits toward your adjacent Elite membership level.
- No foreign transaction fee. For instance, if yous spend $5,000 internationally, y'all would avert $150 in foreign transaction fees.
- Gratuitous premium cyberspace at Marriott hotels
-
75,000 bonus points afterwards y'all spend $three,000 on purchases in your starting time 3 months from your account opening
MARRIOTT REWARDS: REDEEM POINTS & TRAVEL FOR FREE
The Marriott Rewards plan offers several possibilities to redeem points:
- You can use your Marriott Rewards points to book afree or discounted standard room at any of the Marriott Group hotels and resorts worldwide (except for BVULGARI and Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotels), with no blackout dates.
- You tin can redeem costless nights without black dates, starting at just 7500 Marriott Rewards points for a night at a category 1 hotel to a minimum of 60,000 Marriott Rewards points at a category 8 hotel (cf tabular array beneath or this link). Properties are grouped into categories, depending on the hotel brand, location and type.
- Coming in early 2019, Marriott volition add peak, off-peak and Category 8 redemption rates. Category viii hotels will set yous back seventy,000 points in the off-superlative flavor and 100,000 points in the peak flavour. Category 1 hotels volition drop to 5000 betoken off tiptop and raise to 10,000 betoken in elevation season.
- Y'all can stretch your Marriott Rewards points with Cash + Points Rewards, and book a seriously discounted hotel room using a combination of Marriott Rewards points and cash. The exact value of this varies from hotel to hotel, just you can stay for every bit little every bit $55 USD and 3,500 points.
- Awards at PointSavers hotels are charged at i category lower level (upwards to 33% fewer points) and category 1 hotels at 20% off. The properties that participate in PointSavers changes every few months, however you can discover the current list on their site.
- When you redeem 4 nights at select hotels and resorts, then your 5th consecutive night is free.
- You lot can also use your Marriott Rewards points to upgrade to a higher room category. Upgrades beginning as low every bit 5,000 points depending on the view or room type.
- The Marriott Rewards program let yousredeem points instantly at any participating Marriott. That's on annihilation that can exist charged to your guest room, such as dinners, cocktails, massages, or golf. Each $1 USD is valued at 250 points. So if you would like a spa treatment worth United states of america$50, you would redeem 12,500 points.
- The Marriott Rewards airline transfer program allows you tocatechumen Marriott Rewards points to frequent-flyer miles on more than 40 airlines, including United, Delta, Emirates, Lufthansa, Cathay Eastern and more. The transfer ratio is three points for one mile. Yous can transfer as few equally 3,000 points and upward to 240,000 points per solar day — and any amount in betwixt. As a bonus, you lot get 15,000 points extra for every 60,000 points you transfer to airline miles, for a total of 25,000 miles in the airline programme of your choice.
- The Marriott Rewards programme also allows you lot to exchange your points for then called 'travel packages', which include a week of hotel accommodations with airline miles included (which is a ameliorate deal than using points of hotel and flight booking separately).
- Click here for the tables with the indicate requirements.
- You'll receive 10% more than MileagePlus miles when you redeem for a Marriott Rewards Hotel + Air Package on United Airline (upwards to 12,000 more miles).
- You can directlyredeem your Marriott Rewards points for an airline ticket on virtually any airline. You will demand more points to book a flight as compared to transferring them to an airlines' frequent flyer program and book a flying from at that place, simply you will non face the standard restrictions that limit well-nigh frequent-flyer awards. Plus, you can search for airline tickets whenever you choose, even during peak periods such every bit holidays. Click hither for more than info.
- You tin canredeem your Marriott Rewards points for a car rental virtually everywhere globe. Click here for more than info.
- You tin employ Marriott Reward points forshopping in Marriott's Exclusively Yours online shopping mall, a virtual shopping paradise of top designers and brands, including merchandise from Apple, Tiffany & Co., Michel Kors, Prada, Nikon, Canon and many more.
- You can besides redeem points for 'Exclusive Moments', which are exclusive events with artists, musicians, chefs, or athletes. From walking the reddish carpet to ziplining through the pelting wood to going backstage with your favorite ring, make the near out of every sectional moment.
- You tin can transfer one,000 points or more – up to a maximum of 50,000 points per year – to friends and family unit for a transaction fee of only $10 USD. Gold and Platinum Aristocracy members transfer for free.
PROS & THINGS I LIKE Near MARRIOT REWARDS
- Since the acquisition of Starwood, the Marriott Group'due south portfolio of hotels is one of the largest in the world. Withmore than 6500 properties worldwide, information technology is quite like shooting fish in a barrel from a geographical bespeak of view to earn or redeem points at many properties across the world.
- Although North America is its stronghold, Marriott does have astrong worldwide presence in about major international markets and business concern centers, so the programme appeals to travelers worldwide.
- Marriott has a dainty mix of hotel brands, including anunrivalled collection of luxury properties. Ritz-Carlton, St Regis, JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI, The Luxury Collection, West Hotels, and Edition are considered Marriott's luxury hotel brands. Unfortunately though, properties belonging to Ritz-Carlton Reserve and BVLGARI practice not participate in Marriott Rewards.
- Marriott runs an excellent 'Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) plan, which means yous will ever go thebest available rate at a Marriott branded hotels when you book through an official Marriott channel. If y'all detect a lower rate for the same hotel, room type and dates inside 24 hours of making your reservation, you lot demand to submit a BRG claim form. A Marriott representative will review the claim, and if approved, Marriott will match the charge per unit and requite y'all an boosted 25% discount on the room or 5,000 Marriott Rewards points (up to your choice). Finding a better rate is not hard at all, equally I explained in my tips for booking a luxury hotel at the cheapest price.
- WiFi is gratuitous every bit long as the reservation is made through Marriott.com, Marriott'south mobile app, Marriott's call centre, or through a Marriott hotel.
- The list of Marriott Rewards' airline partners is impressive and the three:1 conversation rate of points into miles is unmachted. In improver, you receive a v,000 mileage bonus when you lot catechumen 60,000 points into miles (resulting in 25,000 airline miles instead of 20,000). Every bit a consequence, one of the unmarried best values of Marriott Rewards is to transfer your points in bulks of 60,000 to an airline partner and book free honour tickets or upgrades.
- Marriott Rewards allows you to earn miles with more 40 airline partners instead of points. In nigh cases, you earn 2 airline miles per USD on all qualifying charges when staying at one of the Marriott managed hotels effectually the globe. All you need to practice is update your profile if yous prefer to earn miles for your stays with any of these frequent flyer programs.
- Marriott Rewards allows to pool points among households and friends. You can move up to 50,000 points per twelvemonth into the business relationship of a friend or family member. There is no charge for Aureate or higher Marriott Rewards members. Silver and base of operations level members must pay a flat fee of $10.
- Dissimilar most loyalty hotel programs, you do receive stay (or night) credit for award stays (or nights), meaning thathonour stays count towards Marriott Rewards aristocracy qualification
- Marriott Rewards regularly launches splendid promotionsto heave your account. Marriott'southward global promotions are typically chosen "MegaBonus." During Marriott'due south MegaBonus promotion last fall, they offered a Category 1-v free night certificate subsequently making just two stays at any Marriott family belongings.
- You can book a redemption stay even if you don't have enough points. As long as you earn or purchase the needed points at least 14 days prior to bank check-in, y'all're expert to get.
- Marriott Rewards points exercise not elapseas long as yous keep your business relationship active by doing one of the following at least in one case every two years: make a paid (or redemption) stay at any of the participating hotels worldwide; redeem points; or use a Marriott branded credit menu for purchases every 24 months.
- In that location areno honour blackout dates. Equally long as there is a standard room available, yous can volume it using your Marriott Rewards points.
- Marriott Rewards has a number ofdifferent award types, including travel packages, airline tickets, train rides, and hotel stays.
- There are quite a few ways (e.grand. PointSavers Award, fifth night free) tosave on the number of Marriott Rewards points for hotel stays.
- Thetravel package award pick is a very skillful one, but does require a high number of points. You redeem for airline miles and a 7-night hotel stay. You don't accept to spend the miles at the aforementioned fourth dimension, all the same. They are only deposited to your chosen frequent flyer business relationship.
- With Your24, Marriott Rewards' top aristocracy members can choose any 24 hour period to bank check-in and check-out. The grab is that this is subject to availability, and the hotel will confirm this at most a couple of days in accelerate.
- Marriott Rewards has teamed up with MileagePlus, the frequent flyer plan of United Airlines:
- Platinum Premier Elite members enjoy complimentary United MileagePlus premier silver status. This includes access to Economy Plus at cheque-in for you and a companion (when available), upgrade confirmation every bit early as day of divergence (when available), i complimentary standard checked bag (up to fifty pounds or 23 kg), premier access priority airdrome services (where available), and 7 honour miles for every dollar yous spend on United flights.
- If you're a member of Marriott Rewards and United MileagePlus, you get 10% more than miles when you convert Marriott points to MileagePlus miles, and ten% more miles when you redeem Marriott points for travel packages.
- Marriott Rewards has teamed up with Skywards, the frequent flyer program of Emirates:
- Marriott Rewards members earn 3 points per U.s.a. dollar spent on all eligible Emirates flights (on top of Skywards Miles). Plus, Marriott Platinum members relish elite in-airport benefits, including priority check-in, priority boarding and complimentary east-gate access.
- Emirates Skywards Silverish, Golden and Platinum members earn 1 mile per US dollar (on top of hotel points) for all eligible stays at Marriott hotels and resorts worldwide. Plus, Emirates Skywards Gilded and Platinum members enjoy additional benefits at Marriott hotels and resorts, including 4pm late checkout, access to the Marriott elite check-in line and complimentary in-room Cyberspace admission.
- Elite Lifetime Status is possible within the Marriott Rewards program, and is determined by your total qualified nights stayed and points earned throughout the course of your membership:
- Lifetime Silver Elite is reached subsequently 250 nights & 5 year elite condition. Lifetime Silvery Elites get all Argent Aristocracy benefits and points never expire.
- Lifetime Gold Aristocracy is reached after 400 nights & seven twelvemonth elite status. Lifetime Gilt Elites get all Gilded Elite benefits and points never expire.
- Lifetime Platinum Aristocracy is reached after 600 nights & 10 twelvemonth elite status. Lifetime Platinum Elites get all Platinum Elite benefits and points never expire.
CONS & THINGS I DO NOT LIKE ABOUT MARRIOT REWARDS
- Marriott'southward near luxurious hotel brandsBVLGARI and Ritz-Carlton Reserve do not participate in Marriott Rewards. So, unfortunately, this means that yous cannot earn nor spend points for stays at the almost luxurious properties in the Marriott grouping.
- The Best Charge per unit Guarantee does not utilise to Tribute Portfolio Homes, Sheraton Vacation Lodge, Westin Vacation Lodge, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, The Ritz London, Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Marriott Vacation Guild, Marriott's Thou Residence Society, or whatever other properties operating under Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation brands, its subsidiaries and its affiliates.
- Yous cannot authorize based on number of stays; only the number of nights counts.
- Members are simply be allowed to earn elite nighttime credit for a unmarried room at a hotel on a single night. This is especially costly for families who have to book more than ane room to fit everyone. Now they'll be paying for two or 3 rooms only merely getting elite credit for one. Members will nevertheless earn points for all the rooms they book and pay for — it's just the elite nighttime credit that will be express to 1 per nighttime.
- Platinum Aristocracy members get a welcome gift at each hotel. While that's a expert thing of course, things are a fleck complicated as the gift varies for each make. In that location are 76 (!!!) dissimilar Platinum Elite welcome amenity policies, confusing the top elite members (cf table below). Worst of all, a welcome souvenir is not offered at Ritz-Carlton, BVLGARI, Edition, and Blueprint Hotels.
- As shown in the tabular array above, Platinum Aristocracy members can choose breakfast as a welcome option. However, the breakfast programme is disappointing and hugely confusing as Marriott has not standardized its complimentary breakfast offerings. For example, breakfast equally a welcome souvenir is not offered at Ritz-Carlton, Design and Edition hotels, while JW Marriott, Sheraton and Westin only offer continental breakfast instead of a breakfast buffet. Of course, the play a joke on is to always book via Virtuoso to have gratuitous breakfast included with your stay (bookings made via Virtuoso also earn Marriott Rewards points and exercise count towards elite status).
- Marriott's has now more than 30 brands in its portfolio and suffers frombrand confusion. Differences between Ritz-Carlton vs St Regis, and Sheraton vs Marriott hotels are not e'er clear. In an effort to clear up things, Marriott has grouped its brands into several categories (although I believe that some brands will disappear in the hereafter, equally they will fuse with each other):
- Classic Luxury
- Ritz-Carlton
- St. Regis
- JW Marriott
- Distinctive Luxury
- The Luxury Drove
- Due west Hotels
- Edition
- Classic Premium
- Marriott
- Sheraton
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Delta Hotel
- Distinctive Premium
- Le Top
- Westin
- Autograph Collection Hotels
- Design Hotels
- Renaissance Hotels
- Tribute Portfolio
- Gaylord Hotels
- Classic Select
- Courtyard
- Four Points
- Springhill Suites
- Protea Hotels
- Fairfield
- Distinctive Select
- Air-conditioning Hotels
- Aloft
- Moxie Hotels
- Classic Select Longer Stays
- Marriott Executive Apartments
- Residence Inn
- TownePlace Suites
- Distinctive Select Longer Stays
- Element
- Classic Luxury
MY REVIEWS OF MARRIOTT 'S LUXURY HOTELS
Click the thumbnail to read myreviews of Marriott hotels effectually the globe:
-
Review: Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens -
Review: The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection resort (Phuket) -
Review: St Regis Princeville Resort, Kauai Island (Hawaii) -
Review of the largest overwater villa in the Maldives -
Review: The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort -
Hotel review: St Regis Mardavall Mallorca (Spain) -
Hotel review: The Gritti Palace, Venice (Italia) -
Hotel review: The St Regis Osaka (Japan) -
Review: West Amsterdam hotel (Netherlands) -
Review: St Regis Istanbul, the metropolis's well-nigh luxurious hotel -
Hotel review: The Westin Palace Madrid (Spain) -
Hotel review: Westward San Francisco (California, USA) -
Hotel review: St Regis Bangkok (Thailand) -
Hotel review: W Retreat Koh Samui (Thailand) -
Hotel review: The Westin Valencia (Spain) -
Hotel review: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai (UAE) -
Hotel review: The St Regis San Francisco (California, USA) -
Hotel review: W Barcelona (Espana) -
Hotel review: Mystique, Santorini (Hellenic republic) -
Hotel review: St Regis Resort Mauritius
KEYPOINTS
- Marriott Rewards is one the best regarded loyalty schemes in the world, so be sure to sign up to the programme when y'all stay at a Marriott hotel.
- Marriott has an impressive portfolio of luxury hotels, where you earn and/or redeem points.
- Book using a All-time Rate Guarantee to collect tons of free hotel points or throw in an additional 25% discount.
- Subscribe to Marriott'due south promotions to speed up your earning rate of hotel points.
- One of the best style to spend your Marriott points is to transfer them to airline miles, followed by greenbacks& points redemptions at Marriott properties.
- BVLGARI Hotels and Ritz-Carlton Reserves do not participate to Marriott's Rewards.
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Source: https://theluxurytravelexpert.com/2018/08/17/review-spg-marriott-rewards/
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