Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Hotels Want You to Redeem Your Points Because They Make Big Money on Award Guests

by Gary Leff on February 14, 2019

Feb 14 2019

At Marriott and Hyatt the payment a hotel gets for your award night is not linked to the number of points you pay.

Most hotels actually want your award business. If you’re taking up a room that would otherwise go empty, it’s pure marginal revenue. And if you’re taking up a room on a night they’re full they get a large payment – generally equal to their average rate for the year, though not as high as the highest rate they might charge on that night. One hotel is even warning members about the impending award chart price increase for the property.

Hilton CEO: Marriott’s Flubbed Loyalty Efforts are Bringing Him Customers – But He’s Likely Wrong

by Gary Leff on February 14, 2019

Feb 14 2019

ilton’s CEO suggests that Marriott’s troubles have been Hilton’s gain.

Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta said on the company’s earnings call on Wednesday that the Honors program added 14 million new members last year, a 20% increase to a total of 85 million. He attributes that to guests shifting from Marriott. But that’s not at all suggestive of what he thinks it is.

Marriott Bonvoy Launched Today, Replacing Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest

by Gary Leff on February 13, 2019

Feb 13 2019

Marriott has officially launched a new name for its loyalty program today. There’s no more Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, or Starwood Preferred Guest. There’s now only Bonvoy.

We knew what Rewards meant. That’s all about earn and burn. Preferred Guest was all about how a loyal member is treated. Bonvoy literally has no meaning. It is not a word.

Up to 25% Off IHG Hotel Redemptions in New York

by Gary Leff on February 12, 2019

Feb 12 2019

Up to 25% off points redemptions for New York hotel stays at 5 IHG Rewards Club properties if you book and stay by April 30.

Hilton Confirms: New Top 120,000 Points Redemption Level For Only One Hotel So Far

by Gary Leff on February 12, 2019

Feb 12 2019

Earlier I wrote about Hilton’s new highest priced award. Up until this week no hotel cost more than 95,000 points per night. That’s been the maximum since Hilton increased some of their most expensive hotels like the Conrad Koh Samui in Thailand (all stand-alone villas) from 50,000 to 95,000 during high season in 2013.

When they eliminated award charts 2 years ago we were told that hotels wouldn’t get more expensive, that the top rates in place would apply but pricing might go down.

Now with the opening of the Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives we’re seeing standard awards there pricing at 120,000 points per night.

When Hilton Eliminated Award Charts They Promised Top Prices Remained 95,000 Points. Why is One Hotel Charging 120,000?

by Gary Leff on February 12, 2019

Feb 12 2019

The new Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is open and bookable on points. And it prices at 120,000 points per night for a standard room.

We don’t yet see hotels like the Conrad Maldives, Conrad Bora Bora, or Conrad Koh Samui pricing at over 95,000 points per night. But Hilton is no longer anchored to a 95,000 point maximum. At least that is how it appears at first blush. I’ve reached out to Hilton, hoping to learn that this is some sort of mistake.

Use Points Advance to Lock In Current Marriott Redemption Rates Before Prices Go Up

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2019

Feb 11 2019

When Marriott announced their award category changes that go into effect March 5, I noted that 346 hotels would cost more points and 37 would cost fewer.

I initially wrote that you could use points advance to lock in reservations now at the current rate even if you don’t have the points, and redeem later (after March 5 when prices go up). Several readers pointed out to me that Marriott implied in their announcement that this wasn’t the case. However I’ve re-confirmed this still works.

Hyatt Will Adjust Award Categories at One-Third of Hotels March 18th, Act Now to Save

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2019

Feb 11 2019

Hyatt has announced changes to hotel award category assignments that will go into effect March 18 at 11:01 p.m. Central time. A total of 259 hotels change category, about a third of Hyatt’s portfolio, but this is balanced with an equal number going up (130) and down (129).

You can book future stays at hotels going up in award price and lock in their current price up until March 18. If you have a future stay at a hotel that’s going down in price, Hyatt will refund the points difference to you automatically. They’ll be doing a sweep starting March 19.

100,000 Free Hilton Points for Military and an In-Seat Trick to Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

by Gary Leff on February 10, 2019

Feb 10 2019

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Marriott’s New 2019 Award Category Changes are Out, Increases Outnumber Decreases 9-to-1

by Gary Leff on February 8, 2019

Feb 08 2019

When Marriott launched its new program back in August they re-adjusted the redemption categories hotels were assigned to, after having done the same thing just months earlier. Moreover they ‘pre-announced’ about 60 hotels that would become more expensive in 2019 with the introduction of a new higher category 8.

Now they’ve announced 2019 category changes which go into effect March 5. Here’s what the changes look like and how to lock in lower pricing now.

Hotels

Hotels Want You to Redeem Your Points Because They Make Big Money on Award Guests

Hilton CEO: Marriott’s Flubbed Loyalty Efforts are Bringing Him Customers – But He’s Likely Wrong

Marriott Bonvoy Launched Today, Replacing Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest

Up to 25% Off IHG Hotel Redemptions in New York

Hilton Confirms: New Top 120,000 Points Redemption Level For Only One Hotel So Far

When Hilton Eliminated Award Charts They Promised Top Prices Remained 95,000 Points. Why is One Hotel Charging 120,000?

Use Points Advance to Lock In Current Marriott Redemption Rates Before Prices Go Up

Hyatt Will Adjust Award Categories at One-Third of Hotels March 18th, Act Now to Save

100,000 Free Hilton Points for Military and an In-Seat Trick to Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

Marriott’s New 2019 Award Category Changes are Out, Increases Outnumber Decreases 9-to-1

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]