Marriott Extends All Elite Status in 2022 (finally)
And rounding out the rest of the major airline and hotel programs, Marriott finally made it into the home stretch today when they announced they would extend elite status until 2022 along with adding some flexible cancellation policies.
Flexible Cancellation Policies
If you made reservations, including non-refundable reservations, you can change or cancel them so long as it’s done at least 24 hours before your arrival.
For guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates that are typically more restrictive, we will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, as long as the change or cancellation is made by June 30, 2020. Please note that any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates, between March 13 and June 30, 2020, we will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date.
Solid move – I appreciate that they allow you to change any new reservations through the schedule with the original date of at least June 30th. Meaning, if you make a reservation on June 29th for a stay in February, you can still change it up to 24 hours, including prepaid rates. Solid.
Elite Status
The moment of truth – Marriott will move whatever status you earned in 2019 and extend it until February 2022.
Status Extension: We want you to be able to enjoy the status that you earned in 2019. With that in mind, the status you earned in 2019 will be extended to February 2022.
Points Expiration: To provide you ample time to redeem points, the expiration of points will be paused until February 2021. At that time, your points will only expire if your account has been inactive for at least 24 months.
So, whatever level you’re at now, including the Ambassador level, will move over until 2022. Also, make sure to at least earn SOME points before Feb of 2021. There are plenty of ways to earn Marriott points without actually stepping foot in a hotel.
So, while it’s better to be late to the party than not show up, Marriott brought a nice package when they finally did arrive. It’s well appreciated, especially since I knew there was no way in hell I was going to hit $20,000 in spend on such short notice.
April 8, 2020
Just as Marriott has been pulled kicking and screaming into extending loyalty status, so too, will I be pulled kicking and screaming into Marriott properties.
My loyalty now is to certain properties that have treated me well pre-Marriott. When it comes to choosing hotels, Marriott has chosen to move to the near bottom of my list.
April 8, 2020
Are you finding that you’re moving more towards “whichever one suits my needs” and not too much loyalty towards a brand?
April 8, 2020
It’s tough to view this as bad news, even if Marriott is late to the party. I’m pretty much done with Marriott, but as a result of this move they will actually gain a few extra stays from me. Hyatt has actually tried to earn my loyalty and at this point I’m keeping them as my absolute first choice.