Marriott delays the new Category 8 until March 2019 – you get three more months to save
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I had been planning to run an article this week on “Marriott Rewards hotels in Category 7 which you should book NOW before Category 8 launches in January“.
It seems that I don’t need to bother.
Marriott Rewards has added a new line to the page on its website which shows all of the category changes:
“Save up to 25,000 points per night when you book future Category 8 hotels at the Category 7 rate until March 2019.”
This implies that the current reward pricing, without Category 8, will continue until at least the end of February.
This is a big deal. As you can see from the chart here:
…. the introduction of Category 8 is going to lead to a chunky 42% increase in the number of points needed to book certain hotels as they rise from 60,000 points per night to 85,000 points per night for a ‘standard’ date.
For bookings on a peak date (peak date pricing does not currently exist and presumably has also been delayed until March 2019) you will see a crazy 67% increase in points needed. Rooms will rise from 60,000 points today to 100,000 points.
Which Marriott hotels should I book before March 2019?
This is the full list of hotels moving into Category 8 next year.
Click the text to enlarge – it is actually four separate images. It was not designed to be readable directly from the article! It is always difficult publishing tables on HFP because a lot of people read the site via mobile and they distort.
If you still can’t read it, go to this page of marriott.com and sort the chart by category. The Category 8 hotels will be on top.
What does this list mean in practice?
If you had been planning on staying at any of the hotels on this list, you should book before Category 8 comes into effect. I now expect this to be during March 2019.
Your stay can be for any date up to 12 months ahead, so you are OK until March 2020 if you leave your booking until March 2019.
You will make a substantial saving. It might be your only realistic chance to try, say, St Regis New York – a bargain at 60,000 points (cash rates are $1,100 + tax per night) but toppy at 85,000 points and exceptionally high at 100,000 points, which is what it will be when ‘peak rate’ pricing is introduced.
The hotels in the charts above are a roll-call of some of the most famous hotels in the world. This is an amazing opportunity to try them out in 2019 or early 2020 for a relatively sensible (60,000) number of Marriott Rewards points.
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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)
There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.
The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.
You can apply here.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.
Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card? It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.
We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:
- American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)
and for small business owners:
- American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)
The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.
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