Why You Should Book Your Marriott Hotel Now

In yet another blow to the Marriott Bonvoy program, more category changes are coming March 4th. And for the most part, they are not good.

Since Marriott took over Starwood, the loyalty program has been getting worse and worse. Now in March, new changes are coming again that for the most part are not going to benefit us. 

Hundreds of hotels are changing category. That means a hotel listed now at category 5 may be moving to category 6. What does this mean for you? You can use a 35,000 FREE night certificate for a category 5 and below hotel. But NOT for a category 6. That will cost you a 50,000 FREE night certificate. So if your hotel changes category, you will be priced out. 

 New York seems to be very hard hit by the changes. Most of the category 5 hotels are moving to category 6. Ugh. That seems to be the case in most cities, but there are a few hotels moving down in categories like the Westin in San Diego.

See the problem?

However, if you make your reservation now, Marriott will honor the lower category even if the hotel changes categories in March. 

If you don't have enough points to cover the reservation though you cannot use the Points Advance feature to hold the reservation at the lower rate. Unfortunately, the rate will adjust to the new higher category. 

So good luck and let us know how this works out for you.