In September 2019, Marriott Bonvoy introduced peak and off-peak award pricing, and it wasn’t exactly what I expected. I have a couple of observations regarding upcoming award stays, which point to just how dynamic award pricing is under the new system.
Continue reading: Saving Points With Marriott’s Dynamic Award Pricing
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Do they only switch at the beginning of the month? Or are you seeing changes happening mood month?
These change are damaging
After 1000 nights this will bring me to 4 nights a year if that
This isn’t a loyalty program it’s a Ponzi scheme
I’m out /done being Bonvoyed screwed
I think I saw a three night stay with an off-peak night, standard night and peak night...
@Lucky. I have a 5 night stay at a Marriott resort originally booked for 80,000 points (Cat 3). The stay is in November. Two days ago it dropped to 77,500 so I rebooked it. Interestingly that property will move to Cat 4 in March.
Are any other Marriott properties in different regions same way? Wonder Japanese travel industry is hurting a lot from cancellations / low demands due to the outbreak of Corona Virus.
Yes. I had a six night stay at St Regis Maldives earlier this month. Originally booked at Cat 8 peak pricing and rebooked to standard level about 4 weeks out. Saved big time.
Just noticed this yesterday myself, re-booked two upcoming stays to save myself 10,000 points. Definitely a bit silly it can keep changing, but I'll take advantage of it while I can.
What if you don’t have enough points to rebook? You call and change over the phone to request adjustment?
I’ve found that the monthly adjust usually takes place around the 18th of every month.
Some body needs to learn what the term Ponzi scheme means. You do t have to look kw it, but it is on no way close to a ponZi scheme. Probably has 1000 points and wants free rooms
Note that 'peak pricing' isn't truly seasonal either. A Saturday night can price at 40,000 points while the very next day can be priced at 35,000.
@Kbulo: if you rebook for LESS points, then you can do that by just changing the existing reservation online, through your account. During that process it will tell you how many points will be redeposited into your account.
I always take screenshots of me doing that, just in case something goes wrong with the point refunds.
@ Lucky,
Has there been any suggestions that the hotels in virus effected areas (Hong Kong, Vietnam, etc) may reduce their prices and or points due to the low number of guests?
Jim
Yep! Originally booked 5 nights at the Mauna Kea in Hawaii for 240,000 points and it dropped to 220,000 points. Rebooked with the new rate and cancelled the other reservation. 20,000 points back in my pocket!
I needed a two night stay in Paris...Friday and Sunday. On Saturday I'll be in Normandy.
Friday was 60,000 points, but Sunday was only 50,000 points. I used my Bonvoy credit card free 50,000 point e-certificate for Sunday. I booked the Friday with my Chase Reserve points for 13,000.
From this, I realized just how valuable my Chase points are and, putting a 5 or 7 night stay together using Bonvoy hotel/air packages will now be very difficult to do.