Marriott Bonvoy has continuously updated its terms and conditions governing the loyalty program ever since the program merger in August 2018.
We have covered all these changes when they are significant enough (some are just clearing up the language). Now, there are two significant changes implemented of which one has already been in place but not properly disclosed.
You can access Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
1. More Expensive Awards Coming
Select properties may have redemption rates in excess of the Category 8 Redemption Rates.
Marriott inherited from SPG some stunning properties that used to be very expensive using SPG Starpoints, but were and still are reasonably priced under Bonvoy.
Marriott here is saying that their top category is 8, but some properties may require more points than this category would otherwise require ( hotels in Maldives, Bora Bora, and Venice come to my mind).
2. Qualifying Stay
(ii) the guest room is direct billed to the company who has arranged payment for the Member’s stay that is not associated with a convention or group meeting.
These stays have been qualifying, but the fact has not clearly communicated. These direct billed stays are qualifying as long as they are not part of a convention or group.
Conclusion
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone that the current Marriott Bonvoy award chart, even at the cat 8 and high season, is not able to handle the most sought after properties of which redemptions must be extremely expensive for the program.
Marriott Bonvoy has now added this cop-out rule to the terms that allow these hotels to be priced basically at whatever point level they, program leadership, seem appropriate.
