**Marriott Bonvoy Unveils Subtle Points Adjustments**
Recently, Marriott Bonvoy has discreetly raised the points needed for reward nights at a number of its locations, indicating a subtle yet notable devaluation of its loyalty program. Although this adjustment is minor, it is widespread enough to affect a significant portion of Bonvoy members. The devaluation appears insignificant enough to pass under the radar for many, yet it holds enough weight to impact Marriott’s financial performance.
### Marriott Bonvoy Raises Award Points Thresholds
Marriott Bonvoy has not released award charts for many years, choosing instead to implement dynamic award pricing. This results in the required points for a stay fluctuating based on various factors instead of being solely revenue-related. Although variations in award pricing at specific hotels are anticipated, recent adjustments imply a more extensive change to the award pricing methodology. As reported by LoyaltyLobby, Marriott has hiked award costs by an average of 5-10%, with some locations seeing larger increases than others. For example, in Bangkok, the average redemption value per point now stands at 0.56 cents (USD), after including taxes and fees.
### Common Bonvoy Redemption Values Are Declining
Over time, the fundamental redemption value for Marriott Bonvoy points has diminished. Once valued at 0.7 cents per point, Bonvoy points are progressively yielding redemption rates comparable to Hilton Honors, pegged at 0.5 cents each. For instance, a stay near Frankfurt Airport currently provides less than 0.5 cents of value per point, which is not ideal. Furthermore, using points for redemption means losing out on the points accrued from a cash stay, which can be considerable for elite members who utilize co-branded credit cards.
Luxury properties may still present exceptional value. For example, a night at the St. Regis Venice can be redeemed for 158,500 points when the cash price is $2,600, and The Gritti Palace for 168,000 points when the rate is $3,700. However, these instances reflect “points farm” pricing, wherein high redemption rates arise due to limited availability of rooms at cash rates.
### Conclusion
Marriott Bonvoy’s recent adjustments in points, with redemption rates increasing by an average of 5-10%, represent a minor yet significant shift. While there are still chances for great value redemptions, the baseline redemption values are becoming less appealing, frequently offering only 0.5 cents of value per point. This devaluation emphasizes the limited effective methods of acquiring Bonvoy points and the ongoing difficulties members face in achieving optimal value from their points.
**How do you perceive this latest Marriott Bonvoy adjustment?**