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?
Ben thanks for pointing this out to us. Firstly, we won't bother staying there. Secondly, your public blog can make Marriott aware this is happening, and IS disturbing their customers.
Bring the awareness, Thanks.
Well written article, its ridiculous that Marriott Bonvoy allows this as ridiculous is the Ritz-Carlton Brand with their “Ladies and Gentlemen” serving Ladies and Gentlemen concept. A brainwash of employees and guests alike. Looking at their China portfolio where they sell these properties at ridiculous discounted prices and call it Luxury? Marriott calls themselves the biggest Luxury Hotel operator-Luxury is not about being the biggest….
How about a list of Marriott properties that are bookable in the program but not on points? Would love to put these properties on blast.
Example: Sheraton Taitung, where they classify every room one level above a standard, resulting in zero award availability at any point in the entire year.
The JW in Singapore is a better choice. The Ritz Carlton is nice yet dated like most of the Ritz Carlton properties.
Countless Marriott hotels claim to participate in Bonvoy but withhold elite benefits and room upgrades. At least the RC Singapore discloses they don't participate. Without the elite benefits, the room rate should be substantially lower than similar RC hotels
I stayed here in 2019
It was magnificent
As a Titanium Elite, they upgraded me to the nicest room in the hotel.
Huge curved room over looking MBS.
Maybe I didn’t get points, I have plenty
But the service was exceptional
Agreed. I booked once without realizing it. They informed me during check in and kindly allowed me to cancel on the spot without penalty then drove me free of charge to the nearby JW, who luckily had rooms (and is now my go to in Singapore). It was December and I needed the days / dollars to renew Ambassador.
Just to add on, Ritz Carlton Nanjing (China) also doesn't participate in offering Elite benefits such as lounge access or free breakfast / 1000 points option. They do, however, honour the Suite upgrades from your Annual Choice Benefit.
In the Terms and Condition, Ritz-Carlton doesn't offer lounge access or free breakfast at all, so if a hotel offers these, it's them being generous. I do agree however Marriott should make their terms more clearly.
I think given the location they get enough people staying and enough demand that they do not need to participate. I guess if more hotels could do so they would also do so, keeping the branding and ability to book through Marriott but not accepting rewards stays. I do not think giving the points for the stay costs the hotel much if anything.
Imagine going here on a mattress run at the end of the year to get status, only to find out in Jan…..
At least when I was considering booking this property last month, they made it clear in more than one place that they weren’t participating in Bonvoy. We tried JW instead.
I would assume that newly opened hotels or hotels licensing a Marriott hotel brand would be required to participate in Bonvoy?
I would think old/ grandfathered contact or not the hotel must eventually have to “renew” its contact with Marriott, unless the hotel has licensed the brand indefinitely.
If Marriott can’t enforce this, can they enforce any other brand standard? What if the hotel never renovates?
I imagine the owner has a 30-year contract, which means it probably expires in 2026.
@Ben--thanks for pointing out that Bvlgari Hotels don't participate in the Bonvoy program. I knew ine couldn't book them on points but didn't realize one could not earn points or get elite benefits on a paid stay. You saved me potential frustration (assuming I were willing to pony up the cash for a Bvlgari Hotel stay ).
"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"
This is the danger of these loyalty programs. They are absolutely voluntary for hotel operators. I've raised beef with Hyatt for years over some non-conforming properties, and they rely on T&Cs that are invisible to customers but apparently give the hotels rights to do whatever they please....
"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"
This is the danger of these loyalty programs. They are absolutely voluntary for hotel operators. I've raised beef with Hyatt for years over some non-conforming properties, and they rely on T&Cs that are invisible to customers but apparently give the hotels rights to do whatever they please. Hyatt then backs them into exceptions: places where suite upgrades don't work, globalist breakfast benefits don't apply, 4pm check outs are based on availability, etc.
IMO, the tradeoff is still worthwhile for some brands, but it does seem like a slide into irrelevancy. If I were one of these "asset lite" companies, I'd be terrified how long they can maintain the illusion of consistent benefits. (I don't own stock in them, for obvious reasons.)
"They are absolutely voluntary for hotel operators."
That's not really true. This particular hotel has an owner who signed a contract that didn't require loyalty program participation because, at the time, Ritz-Carlton did not have a loyalty program. They will probably be required to join whenever the legacy contract expires.
I agree that it is ridiculous that they do not participate in the Bonvoy program. It is very easy to miss this fact on the website. Originally had a reservation booked at this hotel. I only found out about them not participating after reading a review on Trip Advisor. Went back to the hotel website and found the small disclaimer. I ended up booking at the St. Regis instead. As a Marriott Ambassador level member...
I agree that it is ridiculous that they do not participate in the Bonvoy program. It is very easy to miss this fact on the website. Originally had a reservation booked at this hotel. I only found out about them not participating after reading a review on Trip Advisor. Went back to the hotel website and found the small disclaimer. I ended up booking at the St. Regis instead. As a Marriott Ambassador level member I would have been beyond pissed to not get benefits and to miss out on 5 nights of points.
It is absolute a joke. When you stay at the Raffles hotels, you still receiving points in All Accor...believe me that Raffles Singapore is way much luxurious than the Ritz-Carlton. All Accor Is the same program for luxurious hotels like Raffles, Orient Express, Fairmont, Mondrian, SLS, SO/, or the budget Ibis and Mercury. If you want exclusive go to Peninsula, Shangri-La Circle, Mandarin Oriental... Where people are not obsessed or don't care points...
Exactly. If I'm going to Singapore for a luxury hotel, I'm booking The Raffles.
Take a look at Marriott stock. This wouldn't seem that this matters. Someone who comes and gets mouthy should be our on their keester in no time flat!
"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"
This x 1000. Same for Bulgari hotels, which can be booked through Marriott's booking channels (website, app, phone). The vast majority of customers do not realize these hotels aren't participating.
In the case of the Singapore Ritz-Carlton, it's been buried in...
"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"
This x 1000. Same for Bulgari hotels, which can be booked through Marriott's booking channels (website, app, phone). The vast majority of customers do not realize these hotels aren't participating.
In the case of the Singapore Ritz-Carlton, it's been buried in the terms and conditions for years. But who reads that? There have been so many public complaints over the years about this.
They do have it as a disclaimer on the hotel website but it is very easy to miss if you do not scroll through all the hotel information
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?
What do you mean “poor” Singapore service? The amount of wrong in that statement is astounding
Service in Singapore is generally much worse than in nearby countries like Thailand
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.
@Mc watching a nature documentary "Why don't people just read wikipedia?! This is a completely useless film" No duh the information is out there, but it's not widely known and it's an interesting piece for a small quick article that you don't have to read if you don't want to.
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.
Who owns or controls Pontiac land? Just curious since it's a pretty unique name which makes me think of Detroit more so than anything in Asia-Pacific.
The company is owned by local Singaporeans.
Not trying to be rude but why is that worth noting in this context?
Some owners are more customer unfriendly.