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In the miles and points hobby, the word “enhancement” is normally used to describe something negative that the loyalty programme inexplicably tries to pass off as positive. However sometimes genuine enhancements are offered, and Marriott Bonvoy has managed the trick…

ALL Hotels Will Price Rewards at Off-peak Pricing

In 2019, Marriott introduced peak / off-peak reward pricing. Here is the award chart:

In a limited time promotion – obviously due to low occupancy resulting from COVID-19 – ALL Marriott hotels worldwide will be priced at off-peak rates. But there’s a catch…

• You must BOOK between 15-30 June 2020
• You must STAY before 31 July 2020

If your stay straddles the end of July, you will pay off-peak rates for July nights and regular prices (could be off-peak, standard or peak) for those nights in August.

Even though Marriott could have been more generous with the length of the promotion, I’m sure that anybody desperate to travel in July will appreciate the chance to stay at Marriott hotels at off-peak award pricing (something you would rarely find in any other year).

50% Bonus Elite Nights

Marriott is giving all elite members additional elite night credits. This isn’t based on how many nights you actually stayed last year, but instead members receive a fixed number of elite nights based on their level of status.

• Silver Elite members will get five additional elite nights
• Gold Elite members will get 13 additional elite nights
• Platinum Elite members will get 25 additional elite nights
• Titanium Elite members will get 38 additional elite nights
• Ambassador Elite members will get 50 additional elite nights

Why Does This Matter?

Marriott has already extended everybody’s elite status for another year. But not everybody is happy with their current level of status, and these bonus nights can help you reach a higher level of elite status.

In addition, some Marriott perks are based on the number of nights spent per year. For example, if you stay 75 nights you can choose to receive a free night certificate valid at a Category 1-5 hotel.  Most members have probably given up on achieving these targets, but these free elite night credits might tempt people to return to Marriott hotels during the remainder of 2020, rather than just waiting for 2021.

The Bottom Line

Marriott Bonvoy hasn’t been the most responsive or customer-friendly of the major hotel chains. So it’s nice to see them do something positive, without being forced into it by the competition…