Marriott Bonvoy Terms & Conditions Changes November 2021

Marriott regularly tweaks the terms and conditions governing its Bonvoy guest loyalty program and has additional terms for stays at all-inclusive properties and recently launched Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Marriott has now slightly changed the terms of the program, effective immediately. The T&Cs are 29,750 words long (good luck reading through them!).

You can access Marriott Bonvoy T&Cs here.

Here are the changes:

Additional Terms

The T&Cs now note that there are additional terms for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Previously only for all-inclusive properties.

Ritz-Carlton Destination Club

The T&Cs now clearly spell out that only Marriott Bonvoy members who stay under their ownership benefit are eligible for Elite Night Credit. Nobody else.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection – earning and redemption partner with unique participation in the Loyalty Program as expressly identified in their separate terms of service (“RCYC Terms”). Members who book and complete reservations through RCYC are subject to the Program Rules, these RCYC Terms, as well as the legal information found on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionOpens in a new browser window.

The T&Cs now note that you need to consult different rules for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Participation.

Earning Without A Stay (For F&B Spend)

Previously

(1) In Asia Pacific: at Participating Brands of the Loyalty Program, except for Moxy, Element, Marriott Vacation Club, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, and include restaurants and bars listed on https://marriottbonvoyasia.com/R+B (some exclusions may apply); and

(2) In the United States, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa: at restaurants and bars at the following Participating Brands of the Loyalty Program: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Le Méridien, Westin, Tribute Portfolio, Four Points, Aloft and Element; or

Now

(1) In Asia Pacific: at Participating Brands of the Loyalty Program, except for Moxy, Element, Marriott Vacation Club, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, and include restaurants and bars listed on https://marriottbonvoyasia.com/R+B (some exclusions may apply). Additional offers may be available to Members on https://marriottbonvoyasia.com/Opens in a new browser window. Members are subject to the terms and conditions of the offer and the Loyalty Program Rules; and

(2) In Europe, the Middle East and Africa: At restaurants and bars located within the Participating Properties as listed on https://www.morecravings.com/marriottbonvoyOpens in a new browser window. Additional offers on the website may be available to Members. Members are subject to the terms and conditions of the offer and the Loyalty Program Rules; and

(3) In United States, Canada: At restaurants and bars at the following Participating Brands of the Loyalty Program: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Le Méridien, Westin, Tribute Portfolio, Four Points, Aloft and Element; and

(4) In the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America: At restaurants and bars located within the Participating Properties as listed on https://hotel-deals.marriott.com/cala-off-folio-earnings/Opens in a new browser window. Additional offers on the website may be available to Members. Members are subject to the terms and conditions of the offer and the Loyalty Program Rules; or

Marriott has added Europe, Middle East & Africa section and divided the Americas into two.

MVC & Vistana

MVC Owners and Vistana Owners may also earn Elite Night Credit as provided in Section 7.1 and 7.2. Members staying at The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club locations under their ownership benefit earn Elite Night Credit as provided in Section 1.2.a.

Marriott clarifies the elite night credit earnings for MVC and Vistana. Only owners qualify.

Cruises

Marriott clarifies that there is a separate set of earnings for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection than booking a “regular” cruise through Marriott.

Annual Choice Benefit Charity Donation

Marriott has removed WE and added the following three:

C. $100 U.S. Dollar Charity Donation. A Platinum Elite Member who has achieved fifty (50) eligible Elite Night Credits annually and a Titanium Elite Member who has achieved seventy-five (75) eligible Elite Night Credits annually may select the US$100 charity donation as their Annual Choice Benefit and choose from one of the following options:

(1) Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund – The US$100 donation from the Marriott Bonvoy(R) Loyalty Program to the U.S. Fund for the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund is not a tax-deductible contribution for qualifying Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members who choose this donation as their Annual Choice Benefit. The Loyalty Program cannot direct or otherwise guarantee how the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund will spend the US$100 donation. All funds are transferred from the Loyalty Program to the U.S. Fund for the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality FundOpens in a new browser window.

(2) UNICEF, d/b/a ‘UNICEF USA’ – The US$100 donation from the Marriott Bonvoy(R) Loyalty Program to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, d/b/a ‘UNICEF USA’ is not a tax-deductible contribution for qualifying Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members who choose this donation as their Annual Choice Benefit. The Loyalty Program cannot direct or otherwise guarantee how UNICEF USA or UNICEF will spend the US$100 donation. All funds are transferred from the Loyalty Program to the U.S. Fund for UNICEFOpens in a new browser window. UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

(3) World Wildlife Fund, Inc. – The US$100 donation from the Marriott Bonvoy(R) Loyalty Program to World Wildlife Fund, Inc. is not a tax-deductible contribution for qualifying Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members who choose this donation as their Annual Choice Benefit. The Loyalty Program cannot direct or otherwise guarantee how World Wildlife Fund will spend the US$100 donation. All funds are transferred from the Loyalty Program to the World Wildlife Fund. World Wildlife Fund name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. All rights reserved.

Conclusion

Nothing too significant changes this time, but it would be great if Marriott would list them by themselves without us having to comb through the text. I wish that Marriott Marriott could streamline the loyalty program T&Cs.