Comments on: Baby steps: Marriott ends blackout dates, but keeps capacity controls http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/10/27/baby-steps-marriott-ends-blackout-dates-but-keeps-capacity-controls/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/10/27/baby-steps-marriott-ends-blackout-dates-but-keeps-capacity-controls/#comment-25060 Mark Ashley Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/10/27/baby-steps-marriott-ends-blackout-dates-but-keeps-capacity-controls/#comment-25060 Excellent points! Excellent points!

]]> By: Seth http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/10/27/baby-steps-marriott-ends-blackout-dates-but-keeps-capacity-controls/#comment-25058 Seth Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:23:20 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/10/27/baby-steps-marriott-ends-blackout-dates-but-keeps-capacity-controls/#comment-25058 You skipped over the real problem with the "No Blackout Dates" deal. Both SPG and HHonors have a similar special demand dates clause to protect their hotels, but Marriott has gone one step further on this one. They've made redemption levels pretty horrible. First, they've added an eighth level for redemption. And they've also <a href="http://www.wanderingaramean.com/2008/10/marriott-to-remove-black-out-dates.html" rel="nofollow">made multi-night stays more expensive for just about every permutation of stays out there</a>. The only stays that cost fewer points now are five-night stays at hotels in Categories 1-5. Oh, and top-level elites also now get more bonus points, which they're going to be spending plenty of to get reward rooms. There are some benefits to this change, but they are very limited relative to the cost increases. You skipped over the real problem with the “No Blackout Dates” deal. Both SPG and HHonors have a similar special demand dates clause to protect their hotels, but Marriott has gone one step further on this one. They’ve made redemption levels pretty horrible.

First, they’ve added an eighth level for redemption. And they’ve also made multi-night stays more expensive for just about every permutation of stays out there. The only stays that cost fewer points now are five-night stays at hotels in Categories 1-5.

Oh, and top-level elites also now get more bonus points, which they’re going to be spending plenty of to get reward rooms.

There are some benefits to this change, but they are very limited relative to the cost increases.

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