Business Platinum Card from American Express
130,000 MR points
Last Chance for Cheaper Marriott Luxury Hotels!
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Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
- Earn 65,000 Bonvoy points upon spending $3,000 in the first three months
- Earn an additional 30,000 Bonvoy points upon spending $20,000 in the first 12 months
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- Also, receive an annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 Bonvoy points starting in your second year with the card
- Also, receive 15 elite-qualifying nights every year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Bonus Bonvoy points for referring family and friends
- Annual fee: $120
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Is it me or did the points still jump to 85K even after you pre booked prior to March 5th?
I want to go to Al Maha in June of 2020, which unfortunately is more than 12 months out. Do you think it would be possible to book now for any date I can and lock in at 60,000 and then modify the booking once June 2020 has opened up?
Or do you think i would still get hit with the increase once I change my dates?
Unfortunately I don’t think that’s possible. You’d have to book before tomorrow to guarantee the 60k rate, which means you’re limited until Feb 2020 in terms of travel dates. Any changes would reprice at the new rates.
Yesterday I threw in a points advance reservation in August 2019 just to test the date moving theory- seeing as there is no risk. Just checked the reservation this morning and it has already been reprised to the 85,000 points- seems like they are not holding on the “points locked in without redeeming” promise.
If I recall, that was an expected part of the process. Guests who have booked properties on Points Advance will have to call Marriott to get them to attach the correct amount of points based on the pre-March 5 rates.
Thanks Ricky, very insightful. I’m just discovering the world of Marriott and now rushing to make the best of it in the 24h left pre March 5th.
Question (to Ricky and all the Marriott experts): do I have to know the EXACT dates of my booking NOW or If I play it safe and book say 8 days at the property (not sure about exact dates) only to select sometime later 5 days (out of these 8), I’m assuming I will be able to keep the current cost structure before the upgrade? Example: 4 nights at 60K each instead of 85K post March 5th?
Trying to avoid the scenario where I would get quoted the NEW rate when updating (downsizing) my current 8 day reservation to 5. Thanks!
Great question. I think you do need to lock down the exact dates by March 5, otherwise any change of the dates of your stay will result in a repricing.
The solution here is to make BOTH an 8-night reservation and a 5-night reservation on Points Advance, and cancel the one you don’t need depending on which scenario plays out.
Interestingly i am not seeing any award bookings at Al Maha. Am i too late or my dates in december is causing this issue?
I wanted to use my 7 Night travel package and wondering if any one is able to book that long duration ?
Seven nights in December is likely going to be very tough, since the resort doesn’t have many rooms to begin with. You could book the nights that are available at the moment and hope that the others open up (quite possible given how many speculative bookings there are right now).
I thought Al Maha had taken away the all-inclusive aspect on award stays.
They tried doing that and were (deservedly) hit with dozens of one-star reviews on Tripadvisor, so they reneged on the change.
It was corrected start of Jan.
Hey Ricky,
Great post. I just booked 2 nights at the St. Regis New York for beginning of April and St. Regis Bali for 5 nights during Xmas (This one I really hope I can accumulate the points for. Am trying for my wife and 3 year old kid).
2 Questions which I hope to hear your insights:
I guess your first question is really asking if the other NY Cat 8 hotels (Chatwal, Gramercy Park, and Ritz) are worth trying. I haven’t stayed there so I don’t know, but I don’t think they quite have the charm of the St. Regis. If it were me I’d do 2 nights at the St. Regis.
The other question really depends on how many miles you have and how confident you are of earning more. I’d say business and First can really make your experience flying with kids much smoother. Be wary of spoiling them too much though! 🙂
Al Maha is a gem, no hesitation revisiting at Cat 8 prices. Surprised Gritti wasn’t on your radar, unique fantastic property.
I guess that’s because I’ve been to Venice twice and had little intention of returning anytime soon. Just took a look at the pics though, and I’m impressed – arriving by boat on the Grand Canal must be quite something! Might consider a speculative Points Advance booking in the coming weeks.