Today, Marriott Bonvoy has introduced dynamic pricing for hotel stays using Bonvoy points. This news was previously announced in October 2021 and means the end of the Marriott Bonvoy award chart.
So, let’s explain this change and how it’s a good thing for certain Marriott hotel stays.
Marriott eliminates their award chart
Previously, the number of Marriott Bonvoy points required for a free night was based on the Marriott award chart with 8 different hotel categories.
Here is the old Marriott award chart for reference.
Sadly, Marriott Bonvoy eliminated their award chart as of March 29, 2022!
Instead, Marriott has introduced their new Flexible Point Redemption Rates, or dynamic award pricing. In this pricing model, the points rate reflects the underlying cash rate of the hotel. Thus, there is no set guidance on the number of Bonvoy points required for a free night.
Here are more details about Marriott’s new Flexible Point Redemption Rates:
- Overall, Marriott says that there should be more rooms available for redemption stays.
- Marriott also expects that redemption rates for nearly all hotels – more than 97% – will continue to range between their current off-peak and peak redemption rates for stays throughout 2022.
- For stays beyond 2022, Marriott will adjust rates based more closely on hotel rates.
Also, Marriott has confirmed that their 5th night free benefit is still be available. So, if you book a 5-night stay with Bonvoy points, the cheapest night out of the five will be free.
Luxurious Marriott hotels are now more expensive in points
Without a doubt, this elimination of the award chart can be seen a negative change on the part of Marriott Bonvoy. And this is true with most aspirational & luxurious Marriott hotels worldwide. Prices have certainly increased at various Marriott hotels in Paris, London & Dubai.
For example, the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel used to be a category 8 hotel with peak pricing of 100,000 points. Well, now it seems that every night for the rest of 2022 is 100,000 points/night at this hotel! This pricing also applies to usual off-season months like November.
Some Marriott hotels are now cheaper in points!
On the other hand, there are some Marriott hotels that cost less Bonvoy points after this introduction of dynamic pricing.
For example, the TownePlace Suites hotel in Petawawa, Ontario used to be a category 1 hotel. Thus, it would cost either 5,000, 7,500 or 10,000 points per night.
But now with dynamic pricing, the cost per night in the month of June varies between 5,000 up to a maximum of 9,000 points/night. Usually, the end of June would correspond to peak pricing so it’s nice to see that it costs 9,000 points instead of 10,000 points/night.
For the same time period, a stay at this hotel costs anywhere between $151 and $170 CAD per night! Therefore, it makes much more sense to redeem points for your stay rather than paying cash.
Also, I stayed at this hotel in March 2021 so check out my updated review of the TownePlace Suites Petawawa 2021.
Check your current Marriott reservations for cheaper pricing
If you’ve already booked an upcoming Marriott stay with Bonvoy points, make sure to check your reservation again for cheaper pricing!
To start, log into your Marriott account and click on the “My Trips” section.
Select your reservation and click on “View/Modify“
Next, scroll down and click on “Edit Room“.
The Marriott website should show you the same room you originally booked with new Bonvoy point rates.
If the price in points has risen, then avoid changing it and click “Back to original reservation”.
But, if the price has decreased, click on the “Update” button.
A new webpage will open and show you a summary of the changes. It will also show the number of Bonvoy points that will be returned to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Click “Yes” to confirm the changes and the difference in points should immediately be returned to your account!
Summary
Sadly, Marriott Bonvoy has now eliminated their award chart and introduced their new Flexible Point Redemption Rates, or dynamic award pricing. In this pricing model, the points rate reflects the underlying cash rate of the hotel.
This is certainly negative news for those wishing to stay at luxurious or aspirational Marriott properties worldwide as prices have increased significantly.
But it’s not all bad news as the points rate at some Marriott hotels (like the TownePlace Suites hotel Petawawa) has actually decreased with this change to dynamic pricing! So, make sure to check your upcoming Marriott reservations for cheaper points pricing!
How do you feel about Marriott removing their award chart and implementing dynamic pricing? Let me know in the comments below.
Plus, learn more about how you can earn a generous 65,000 Bonvoy points & $100 statement credit with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months if you apply before May 10, 2022.
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