Most programs haven’t announced reduced status-earning criteria for 2022. That means, ostensibly, that members have to earn their status under the ‘normal’ rules we haven’t seen since 2019.
But many businesses delayed return to office, many countries travelers might visit remain closed, and even leisure travel has taken a hit during the Omicron wave of the pandemic. That means loyalty programs are going to have to offer fast tracks to members to keep their elite status. That was true even before the current virus wave.
Marriott is out with their first gambit: double elite qualifying nights, and 1000 bonus points per night, February 8 – May 4, 2022. Registration required.
- That’s basically a three month period of double qualifying nights
- And that tells me not to expect them to do what they did each of the previous two years, gifting half of the required elite nights for a member to keep their current status level
- It may not be the end of status incentives for them, but it makes sense to do early while travel is still limited
Unfortunately the points part of this offer is weak. I value a Marriott point at 60 basis points making this an extra $6 rebate per night.
Put another way, Marriott members earn a base 10 points per dollar. 1000 points per night is equivalent to double points on a $100 room night. It’s double points on the first $100 of room rate only for nights costing over $100, so not as good as double points except at sub-$100 properties. And double points has been pretty much a baseline hotel offer. At least it applies starting with the first stay during the promotion period, rather than having that excluded.
Timeshares and homesharing aren’t eligible, nor are non-participating brands. That means no credit for Homes & Villas by Marriott International; Marriott Executive Apartments and Marriott Vacation Club owner-occupied weeks; Ritz-Carlton Reserve; BVLGARI; “and other hotels that do not currently participate in Marriott Bonvoy” are excluded.
This isn’t going to help a lot of members earn Ambassador status, which still requires $20,000 in spend in addition to 100 nights. But it’s going to help leisure travelers (and some business travelers) earn higher status in 2022. Upgrades are going to be harder to come by in 2023, even factoring how hard they are for a Platinum to get in 2022.
Double elite-qualifying nights is just crazzzzzzy. When the club lounges finally reopen they are going to be more crowded than ever. With no spending requirement for platinum and titanium, I would not be surprised if 60% of guests at some hotels are platinum, titanium or ambassador.
But then you have to stay at Marriott…..
Hmm, apparently this promotion is not for everyone. I am being told I am “not eligble”, when trying to sign up! I am Titanium. Anyone else?
Not eligible. I guess ‘cos life time titanium… The writer should have checked out the offer before forwarding the press release I guess.
I am ambassador and lifetime titanium. Marriott won’t let me register.
LT as well. Went to Promotions page after I logged in and it let me register there.
Plain old gold here and won’t let me register either. I assume a website bug.
@FNT Delta Diamond
There have been plenty of double elite night promos and it hasn’t overrun the lounges. Travel is not back and they need to allow current elites to try and re-achieve. Double elite nights is not the apocalypse of the Marriott Bonvoy program (the devaluing of points and the inconsistent treatment of elites from hotels, remains the issue).
I’m Ambassador and Lifetime Titanium and it says I am not eligible. Lovely.
Registered but surprised that it is only valid on cash stays. Points, points + cash, and free night certificates are excluded.
I guess they realize just how bad the devaluation for points is going to be in march that they don’t want to encourage people to redeem them yet.
Titanium and Lifetime Platinum here. Not eligible for the promo. I thought this was a global and not a targeted promotion. Guess not!
Now you can be denied elite benefits twice as fast.
Literally everyone is going to be a platinum. This is just crazy. It was bad enough when Delta extended everyone’s status through 2022 even if they haven’t stayed at a hotel since March 2019. Now they’re giving those same people a way to keep platinum for 2023 if they only do 10 nights in 2022 and also hold one of the credit cards.
Yes, everyone will be Platinum, but who cares? Upgrades are already non-existent even for higher level elites, so what else are you competing for with more Plats being in the mix?
Ugh, I hate when I have stays right before a promo period starts.
Yep, same comment as many above. Not Eligible
Now let’s see if my expiring Suite Upgrades will even work at a lowly little Courtyard for three nights.
Does the reservation need to start on 2/8 or will those start from before that apply as well? Example, you start a stay 2/5 – 2/10. Would the 2/8-2/10 nights qualify for double nights?
LT and Ambassador. I registered without any problems using the app (Android).
“Award redemption nights including Cash + Points, free night award certificates or a Points redemption are not eligible for the promotion.”
So cash rates only? Hard pass.
Lifetime plat and current titanium. Could not register online and called and told it would be on my account. That was 8 hours ago. Still Witing.
Marriott Bonvoy being generous
A day later and it shows up.