Often we’ll talk about Marriott affiliated properties that do a poor job of honoring Bonvoy elite benefits, with complete disregard for program rules. However, did you know that there’s one Ritz-Carlton that just fully doesn’t participate in the program? I get questions about this from readers every so often, so figure it’s worth a post…
In this post:
The Ritz-Carlton Singapore doesn’t belong to Marriott Bonvoy
The 608-room Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore is the only Ritz-Carlton property in the world that simply doesn’t participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. When you go to the hotel’s website, you’ll see it disclosed (though perhaps it should be highlighted a bit more, even):
Kindly note that our hotel does not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy Program.
So you can’t earn or redeem Bonvoy points at the hotel, and you also can’t take advantage of any Bonvoy elite benefits. Nonetheless, the hotel can still be booked through Marriott’s channels like any other property. The only Marriott “program” that the Ritz-Carlton Singapore participates in is Marriott STARS, which offers extra perks for stays at select luxury Marriott brands when booking through a travel advisor.
There’s of course an irony to the hotel not participating in Marriott Bonvoy, because it’s not like Marriott owns most of its hotels — the only thing that differentiates Marriott’s website from an online travel agency like Expedia is that you can earn and redeem points for stays… but not at the Ritz-Carlton Singapore!
For what it’s worth, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties used to also not participate in Marriott Bonvoy, but nowadays they do. The only other Marriott-affiliated hotel brand that doesn’t participate in the program is BVLGARI, despite properties being bookable through Marriott.
What’s the Ritz-Carlton Singapore’s Bonvoy backstory?
The Ritz-Carlton Singapore opened all the way back in 1996, and at the time, Ritz-Carlton didn’t have any sort of a loyalty program that awarded points.
In 2010, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program started awarding points for hotel stays, as a parallel program to Marriott Rewards. Obviously the ability to earn and redeem points came at a cost to individual hotels, but it was intended to boost occupancy and average daily rates.
Initially, hotels had the option of whether they wanted to opt in or out of the program. Most hotels bought into the concept, though the Ritz-Carlton Osaka and Ritz-Carlton Singapore were the two hotels that opted out. The Ritz-Carlton Osaka eventually decided to participate, leaving the Ritz-Carlton Singapore as the only hotel that’s not participating.
Ultimately when the Marriott Bonvoy program formed as the combination of Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest, the hotel could still stick to its legacy contract of not having to participate in the program.
I can’t help but find it interesting that throughout all of these years, the hotel hasn’t budged. On the one hand, I don’t necessarily hold it against the hotel owners, since they clearly made this decision many years ago, dating back to the very origins of Ritz-Carlton having a loyalty program. At the same time:
- I find it a little ridiculous that Marriott continues to allow this, and promotes the hotel like any other on its website, as it’s a disservice to members (but I can’t say that I’m surprised)
- Just practically speaking, I’m surprised this is the right business decision, since hotel loyalty programs are incredibly powerful marketing tools that win customers and get people to buy higher rates, and we’re talking about a massive hotel that’s not that special
- I can’t help but wonder if the Ritz-Carlton Singapore is getting the best of both worlds, and I’m curious how many people book without realizing that the hotel doesn’t participate in Marriott Bonvoy
Bottom line
The Ritz-Carlton Singapore is a unique property in Marriott’s portfolio, as it’s the only Ritz-Carlton to not participate in Marriott Bonvoy. This dates back to the very formation of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program (which was eventually merged into Marriott Bonvoy), when the hotel opted out.
Nonetheless, Marriott continues to promote this hotel through its booking channels, even though there’s zero upside for Bonvoy members.
What do you make of the Ritz-Carlton Singapore’s non-participation in Marriott Bonvoy?
I've stayed here many times and always booked through AmEx FHR. Wonderful hotel with great Club and service,
Bonvoy or not, it’s not a great hotel. It’s far too big, needs refurbishment, and suffers from poor Singapore service.
Is it fair to generalize Singapore service as "poor?" Do you believe all Irishmen are drunkards . . . or just most?
This is not a purely Marriott issue. I just stayed at the wonderful Six Senses in Oman, and discovered upon check-in that I couldn’t earn IHG points there.
Why people don't ready and get informed and then simply complain?
The hotel states EVERYWHERE that do not participate in the program.
This is a completely useless article altogether
On the hotel's landing web, there is one sentence at the end of one paragraph on a page filled with information. It doesn't seem to be "EVERYWHERE" as you state. Moreover, when trying to book, Bonvoy points are an option . . . which simply yields no availability. This seems misleading. To me, this article is very useful for identifying a fact about this property I might not otherwise have noticed.
Earlier this year I had a 4 night stay in SIN and had originally booked this hotel but discovered much later - but prior to arrival - that it did not participate in BONVOY. So, I canceled the booking and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. No loyalty there either but ... if I am not going to get Loyalty points I am going to prefer places like Rosewood, Rocco Forte, Belmond, MO, Four Seasons etc.
...Earlier this year I had a 4 night stay in SIN and had originally booked this hotel but discovered much later - but prior to arrival - that it did not participate in BONVOY. So, I canceled the booking and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. No loyalty there either but ... if I am not going to get Loyalty points I am going to prefer places like Rosewood, Rocco Forte, Belmond, MO, Four Seasons etc.
Yes indeed, the loyalty programs are a powerful marketing tool but this property must have a secret sauce that allows it to ignore using them
Worth noting that this hotel is partially owned by Singapore Airlines.
Singapore airlines has no share whatsoever in this hotel. It’s fully owned by Pontiac land, ownership of which includes the Ritz Carlton Maldives (which does participate in Bonvoy) and the Capella brand. They are well known for owning high grossing ultra luxury properties in and around Asia Pacific.