Several weeks ago, we learned how Marriott will be making the switch from Pepsi to Coke across its properties globally. The timeline wasn’t clear at the time, so there’s now an update, as we should start seeing this phased rollout immediately. I imagine most people will be happy to hear this, but of course not everyone will agree!
In this post:
Marriott makes the switch from Pepsi to Coke
Since 1992, Marriott has had an exclusive agreement with Pepsi for providing soft drinks for its properties globally. That agreement wasn’t put in place because customers prefer Pepsi, but instead, because Pepsi was willing to give Marriott a better deal. Specifically, Coca-Cola wasn’t willing to extend Marriott a loan at the time, and that was non-negotiable for Marriott.
That will finally be changing, as Marriott will be switching to Coke for products globally, including in guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, and meeting events. The phased rollout is beginning today, and should be live at properties globally over the coming months. This includes carbonated soft drinks and a growing range of hydration and functional beverages.
It’s funny, because I specifically remember when Marriott took over Starwood, and then Starwood made the switch from Coke to Pepsi, which many of us weren’t happy about.
Here’s what Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano had to say about this development:
“This agreement brings together two iconic brands with a shared commitment to quality, consistency, and creating memorable experiences. We are focused on delivering the products our guests and Marriott Bonvoy Members know and love, better meeting guest preferences, and creating economic benefits for owners and franchise operators across our system. We’re excited to collaborate with The Coca‑Cola Company to deliver their great products in more places.”
MARRIOTT HAS A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY?!?!?!? Sorry, I just spat out my Diet Coke. Anyway…
Meanwhile here’s what Coca-Cola CEO Henrique Braun had to say:
“This is a great day. On behalf of the entire Coca-Cola system, we’re excited about our future with Marriott and the opportunity to provide travelers more of the brands they love. From sparkling beverages to juices, hydration and dairy, we’re offering guests options for their beverage needs throughout their entire visit.”
I’m curious what prompted this Pepsi to Coke switch
Marriott isn’t officially sharing why it’s making the switch from Pepsi to Coke. Did Marriott realize that only having Pepsi products negatively impacted the guest experience, or was Coke finally willing to give Marriott a better deal?
In an email to hotel owners about the change, Marriott stated that over 70% of Bonvoy members prefer Coke over Pepsi, which is why the change is being made. So I do think guest preference is a strong consideration here, and maybe Marriott could get a slightly better deal than in the past from Coke.
Personally I’m happy to see this change. There are definitely more people out there who prefer Coke to Pepsi, it’s just rare to see Marriott actually concerned about what customers prefer (rather than what they’ll put up with). 😉
Bottom line
Marriott is making the switch from Pepsi to Coke, after 34 years of exclusivity with the number two beverage giant. Marriott claims that 70%+ of Bonvoy members prefer Pepsi to Coke, which sounds about right. While there was obviously some bad blood between the two brands in the past, I’m sure most guests will be happy to see this.
The rollout is starting effective immediately (in July 2026), and these beverages should be found at properties globally in the coming months.
What do you make of Marriott making the switch from Pepsi to Coke?
I’ve know for a couple years that on the Club Level (at Ritz Carlton and at least one JW Marriott), they kept Coke/Diet coke “in the back” you just had to ask. Most of the properties didn’t want the cans/branding seen in the lounge…fortunately in Sarasota they were lax, prompting me to ask a woman where she found that Diet Coke. So Pepsi fans keep that in mind. Hyatt are you listening?
Hyatt is loyal.
We have seen it in the UK and Europe thus far this year. We were surprised to find a Coke in the lounge, as there wasn't any news on the subject. So its true and rolling out across the world.
Just wondering about this BIG switch, thats alotta bucks changing "hands".
"This agreement brings together two iconic brands with a shared commitment to quality, consistency, and creating memorable experiences."
That's some New Coke energy there!
"Marriott stated that over 70% of Bonvoy members prefer Coke over Pepsi, which is why the change is being made."
Base on historical changes made from customer feedbacks. All those negative enhancements from surveys.
We can conclude that.
Just like members like dynamic pricing. Likes to pay for resort fees. Likes to get no upgrades, breakfast. etc.
Majority of members probably prefer Pepsi. They're switching to just to mess with members.
Great decision Marriott, thank you!! Pepsi products suck!
Coke is very addictive, But it does give you a Rush! Just ask Al Pacino what it did to him.
That's it, the final Bonvoy. Cutting up all 12ish of my Marriott cards, never going to stay at a Marriott again. My half million points can expire. One has to make a stand somewhere
Bahaha
Wawawawa....!
Best news in travel this year
Marriott claims that 70%+ of Bonvoy members prefer Pepsi to Coke,
You meant to say the opposite, right?
Nooooooo, Pepsi products suck like a Hoover!!
BREAKING NEWS!
Marriott changes soda supplier.
STAY TUNED
for an exclusive on their bog paper procurement.
Did this deal really apply to meetings as well? If I was trying to organise a company event and someone tried to force me into serving Pepsi, I would laugh them out of the door.
Assuming the meeting participants are over nine years old, the only fizzy drink that's appropriate is sparkling water, at least unless you're offering champagne.
Anything can be negotiated as part of a meeting. Back in the mid-80s, I ran some training programs for a large accounting firm (which had Coke as a client.) Our meeting contracts specified only Coke products would be served at the meeting --- and part of my job was to remind the hotel that we had that in our meeting contract with them.
Awesome news! Love a nice 0 calories Coca Cola Zero (or three)!
Oh thank God. Coke is the beverage of the sophisticated soda drinker. "I'll have a Rum & Pepsi" said nobody ever.
Especially since Pepsi reduced sugar in their classic version and partially replaced it with the same crap that goes into sugar-free one. It's disgusting both in taste and health-wise. Before that, I was reluctantly accepting Pepsi, since the change of recipe I'm avoiding it like a plague.
If you're drinking Coca Cola I can't believe you're all that concerned about your health. Artificial sweeteners are no less healthy than the vast amount of sugar in each serving of Coke, particularly the US version that's loaded with high-fructose corn syrup.
@PeteAU - There's nothing terrible about a bit of sugar once a week if you're otherwise keeping your diet healthy, it won't kill you or have a meaningful impact on your health. A little guilty pleasure every now and then is fine. The health risks associated with artificial sweeteners on the other hand are far worse even in low quantity.
That's just not true about artificial sweeteners, though. Your point about sugar is equally applicable to sucralose or aspartame. Don't believe hysterical reports about side-effects caused by feeding lab rats a pound of saccharin a day for six months. To get the same dose you'd have to consume tons of it. The dose maketh the poison.
Off topic: Kirby’s on my UA flight this morning. I hadn’t previously realized that he was a kidmaxxer.
I love how a post like this gets more comments than some (most?) of Lucky’s trip reports…
@Aaron, hehe, you're right! Passions run high. It's the old debate of which one is better...I like them both (zero sugar versions) but some people would kill for one or the other.
Coke is simply better. Sorry, not sorry.
Aluminium, plastik or fountain makes a difference in flavor.
The reason Marriott switched is money. Money is usually the answer.
Aluminium, plastik or fountain makes a difference in flavor.
The reason Marriott switched is money. Money is usually the answer.
"I’m curious what prompted this Pepsi to Coke switch" MONEY!!! It is always about MONEY!!! I personally could not care less, I haven't touched a can of soda in over 30 years so it won't affect me at all.
Hallelujah!
Too bad, I prefer Pepsi myself. (Especially the "throwback" version with real sugar!)
Very sorry to see this as I have a negative reaction to Coke - but not pepsi
They're both revolting.
I guess because they finally got a better deal. These kinds of agreements are worth big money and are complicated much like the university campus deals and other large contracts. They would have no reason to pay more for Coke products. They made enough money serving Pepsi products. Most people still stayed there though they served Pepsi products. Their revenue probably will not increase as a result of serving Coke products.
Oh who really cares. There are so many important things in life.
Why is this even a topic of conversation on a (predominantly) aviation-centric site? More AI generated, click bait fodder?
Having worked for PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, as well as Marriott this must hurt PepsiCo. I cant help but wonder how this will effect Marriotts relationship with the NFL. As Pepsi to my knowledge is the official soft drink along with Gatorade etc.
PEPSI tastes sooo much better BUMMER they are deleting it...
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finally !!!
real coke
(it's the small things )
A good global change in favor of Coke though technically, Marriott never fully transitioned as Pepsi-only as there are some overseas properties where only Coca-Cola products are available
I’m a Diet Pepsi fan. I’m also an Ambassador every year, so I stay at Marriott properties quite often. This is a game changer for me. I’ll buy Diet Pepsi before arriving at the hotel, and might as well pick up my other snacks outside, too. I do realize that I’m in the minority here with my preference.
So true.
So in one paragraph you say Marriott bonvoy members prefer Pepsi over Coke by 70% and in another paragraph you say the exact opposite. Is this another AI slop article or are you just bad at your job?
This won't affect me personally since I avoid Marriott, but it's certainly a good thing. Pepsi with their artificial sweeteners instead of sugar is disgusting, both in terms of taste and health impacts.
No wonder why so many Americans & other nationalities are obese & diabetic !
Once you see the bags of caramel corn syrup used to make this stuff you’ll never want to drink it again
You used to drink the Diet Coke with lime for your trip reports meals on the plane
One junk food substituted for another .
I'm kind of surprised that Pepsi is still as relevant as they are. Sure some people prefer Pepsi, but virtually all soda addicts (like myself) prefer Coke. Come on Hyatt, do your thing!
Surely real soda addicts would know which country to drink Pepsi, which region to drink Coke.
Which city to drink fountains over cans.
But for most, that level of details are just too addicted.
You sure you call yourself a soda addict. You're more like a Coke apologist.
Let's go easy, have you tried Dobry or Evervess Cola, Alokozay Cola?
I think that Pepsi Max tastes better than most other cola drinks (except perhaps Fentiman's), but then I'm not a 'soda addict' (though I do prefer sparkling water/club soda to the still version). The strength of both Coke and Pepsi hasn't got much to do with the flavour and/or quality of their products- it's all about the logistics and distribution networks that allow them to be absolutely everywhere (good luck finding Fentiman's in Kazakhstan or Costa Rica!).
Who in their right mind drinks this?
Gave up drinking soda decades ago, mostly, but for the couple of cans I do indulge in each year I'd prefer Coke. Finally Marriott does something positive.
I’m with you. About two Comes per year, just for old time’s sake.
I’m not convinced Marriott switched because the public prefers Coke. Definitely something else.
Will dual sourcing be maintained, or now Coca-Cola exclusive?
Pepsi tastes better though.
Oof. No.
Good! About time. Glad to hear it!
Your move, Hyatt
Hyatt is loyal.
I think this is fake news… it resulted from a Reddit post on April fools…… can anyone check with MI HQ?
The well-known and renowned news website Viewfromthewing has also reported on this change. So no fake news.
But joking aside: a few local and trade newspapers have reported on the move. It seems to be true.
If VFTW reported it, how big were Coke's breasts?
VFTW is the Fox News of travel blogs (lots of fake news and fuzzy facts).
Air Canada made the switch to Pepsi on April 1st, so I'm glad at least my hotel chain will be serving Coke soon!
Air Canada is a French company the French in Canada prefer Pepsi. So now English Canada has to suffer with Pepsi.
Hallelujah!! I can finally stop the BYOC routine every time I stay at a Marriott property.
Hahahaha, Marriott didn't do this for customers. Coke undoubtedly gave them better terms than Pepsi.
Ugh. I’m a Pepsi person and that’s one thing I liked about Marriott. Especially in their lounges. This is devastating.
Hyatt for you, then.
Can they switch over today? I’m at a Marriott right now and I was stuck getting Pepsi products this morning. Barf.