One of the final puzzle pieces in the Marriott/SPG combination has been placed, and it’s a big one: the new redemption categories for the combined portfolio.
Marriott announced the details of the program combination and new elite tiers and benefits in April, as well as the new hierarchy of categories and point redemption levels. The missing piece was how individual properties would be allocated to categories. This is an eagerly anticipated event each year as members pay close attention to which properties will change tiers necessitating a booking before the effective date to take advantage of a lower redemption rate.
While I previously wrote that members who primarily rely on stays to achieve valuable tier status will be among the bigger losers in the new program, this new award chart makes almost everyone feel like a winner. I’ve started with the “good news” items first.
Most Redemptions Require Fewer Points
Just over half of the properties participating in the program will require fewer points to redeem for a free night when the new chart takes effect, and many of the downward shifts are in the luxury space. For example, the St. Regis San Francisco, which once required 30,000 Starpoints (90,000 Marriott Rewards Points, or 90,000 points in the new program once Starpoints are exchanged for points in the new program at a 1-for-3 ratio in August) for a free night, will now require only 20,000 (converted to 60,000 points on the new chart).
Some Suite-Only Properties Are More Accessible
Some legacy SPG properties that were all-suite properties, like the St. Regis Bora Bora, were off the award chart and required higher redemptions than even the category required (redemption rates are for standard rooms, although elite members may be upgraded at check-in). Now, the St. Regis Bora Bora has been assigned Category 8, and will be redeemable at Category 7 redemption rates until Category 8 is rolled out in 2019.
St. Regis Is A General Bargain
Fans of the old world service traditions at the luxury brand St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will find that redemption rates have gone down across the brand, with a handful of exceptions. One noteworthy standout is the St. Regis Rome, with a 25,000 point jump; those with the Eternal City in their plans should book award stays now.
However, it can’t all be good news. Here are a couple trends that may leave some members questioning the new program’s value.
Vacation Ownership Redemptions Are Costlier
Vistana, the vacation ownership arm that Starwood spun off prior to the merger, still participates in the combined program, but a significant number of those properties will see increases. While popular Westin villa properties in Hawai’i like the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas and Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas remain unchanged (and the lovely Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas reduces) nine Vistana properties have point redemption increases of more than 10,000 points per night.
Marriott Vacation Club redemptions are also increasing. While there are a few reductions and some unchanged, a large swath of these properties are seeing points increases. Three of the brand’s Hawai’i properties will see points increases of 20,000 points per night.
Ritz-Carltons Are Also Trending HIgher
A number of Ritz-Carlton properties, already higher on the redemption scale, are also increasing category after August. Many of these will see point redemption increases in 10,000 to 15,000 points per night.
What to Do Next
1. Review the new combined award chart here.
The full listing of changes in category that will occur in August is listed. Simply put, if the category is going up, book now. If it’s going down, wait to book.
2. Book Category 8 properties now.
Category 8 won’t be fully rolled out until 2019. Until then, Category 8 properties will be bookable at Category 7 redemption rates. Take advantage of that before it changes.
3. Check back in 2019.
Also slated for introduction in 2019 are peak and off-peak redemptions. Standard redemptions lie between peak and off-peak, so when the seasonal variations (which vary by property) are introduced next year, check back to make sure you haven’t redeemed at a standard rate for an off-peak period. If you have, rebook and enjoy the lower rate.
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