Book Marriott Cat 8 for Cat 7 price until March 2019

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When Marriott introduced the award chart for the merged Marriott/SPG/Ritz program, the new top tier became Category 8. Cat 8 standard awards were slated to cost 85,000 points per night. However, it was announced that Category 8 properties would be bookable for the Category 7 price of 60,000 Marriott Rewards points per night “until early 2019”. We haven’t previously had a clear indication as to when that would be, but Doctor of Credit and a reddit user point to a change Marriott made on its site indicating that you’ll be able to book Cat 8 properties for Cat 7 prices until March 2019. That’s great news for those who still have their eye on some of the most aspirational properties in the combined Marriott portfolio.

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Remember that Marriott offers the 5th night free on award stays, so a 5-night stay at a top-tier property currently costs 240K Marriott points, or 48K points per night. That’s a phenomenal value for many of the chain’s top properties. You’ll remember that the top end of Starwood’s award chart was the equivalent of 105K Marriott points per night. Furthermore, some properties didn’t even exist on the chart as they were classified as all-suites, costing the equivalent of as much as 270K Marriott Rewards points per night to book a room. You can now book those properties for 60K if you find availability — or 48K per night for a five-night stay.

In fact, a reader reached out just the other day with a success story, having booked a stay at such a property that had a cash rate of over $24,000.

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He booked those 6 nights for 300K Marriott points (240K for the first 5 nights + 1 additional night).

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It looks as though you’ll have a few more months for that kind of thing, which some will certainly find exciting. Remember that this means you can lock in stays through the end of the booking calendar at current pricing. For example, in February 2019 you should be able to book those high-end properties at Cat 7 prices for stays into February 2020 — so you’ve got about 14 months of booking calendar that is yet to come to enjoy the lower rates.

Greg and I both have similar stays booked next year at formerly off-the-charts Starwood properties and I for one look forward to the opportunity to check out a couple of hotels I wouldn’t have considered at the previous prices for quite a discount over those former rates.

Overall, this is exciting news.

H/T: Doctor of Credit

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Ralph

Is it until end of March 2019 or the beginning? Planning a honeymoon for March 1-15 of 2020 and this will make all the difference!

Tg Tgg

Could I book the rooms first and then change the dates to some time later (without making up more points), let’s say the end of 2020?

Greg The Frequent Miler

You could try, but I’m pretty sure that they would reprice the award at that time.

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[…] 13 nights coming up in 2019. Perhaps this is why Marriott has chosen to extend the ability to Book Marriott Cat 8 for Cat 7 price until March 2019 as shared by Nick Reyes at Frequent Miler. Do you frequent Marriott/SPG properties? What’s […]

[…] Book Marriott Cat 8 for Cat 7 price until March 2019 […]

Josh

You guys still doing Domes if Elounda?

larry

we are thinking of the domes, too, but is it worth using up points on or using the 4th night citi prestige. what about sardinia for using some points.

Greg The Frequent Miler

Based on the paid rates that Domes of Elounda typically sells for (usually just over $300 per night in the summer), I don’t think it makes much sense to use Marriott points at the 60K award price and definitely not at the higher price once category 8 kicks in. If you really want to stay there, the Citi 4th night free option is probably best.

JayP

Are Ritz cat 1-4 certs going to continue to work at all properties until then as well?

Billy Bob

I called about Ritz cat 1-4 certs and was told Ritz only — even had the rep ask her supervisor. That said, I’m still assuming that my Ritz cat 1-4 certs are good everywhere. Can’t believe they’d really limit them. Lots of confusion about those certs — would like to see reports of them being used outside of Ritz.

Greg The Frequent Miler

They do work everywhere. It’s really easy to prove it. Go through the steps of booking a Marriott award stay and you’ll see that by default it will try to use your Ritz certificates for two of the nights.

Gloria

I’m not seeing this turn up on a Le Meridien booking unfortunately. Which hotels have you seen Greg where the RC certs show up for non-RC hotels?

Greg The Frequent Miler

Oh wow, that’s surprising. Try a Marriott property rather than SPG. I know I saw it at a Renaissance hotel

Jo Ann

I used mine at the St Regis Florence. No problem at all

Josh

Oh cool didn’t know that. I didn’t see it when using the mobile app so I just called in and had them do it.

Linda

I have two questions…

1) Do you expect peak vs. non-peak pricing to be implemented in March as well?

2) If I have a cash reservation for a Garden Villa at the St. Regis Bora Bora, will I be able to convert that reservation to points?

Dan

Which property was going for that rate? I’m a little bit too obsessed with CPP to not ask haha