Annual Marriott Bonvoy™ Hotel Category Changes Now Available for 2020
As part of the program’s annual review of all hotel categories, Marriott Bonvoy™ has determined which hotels are changing categories for 2020. These changes will be effective for all redemption reservations booked on or after March 4, 2020.
The Marriott Bonvoy categories will continue to range between 1 to 8 and the point values will not change. Additionally, the cash portion of Cash + Points rates will be updated centrally for hotels with a category change.
Below is a summary of key upcoming dates related to Hotel Category, Inventory Control Dates (ICDs), and Cash + Points information for 2020:
Key Upcoming Dates
Feb. 5, 2020:
- Category changes published on Marriott.com.
- Direct communication to HPP contacts of hotels with a category change as well as hotels that are newly gaining ICD functionality or have a change in the number of ICDs allotted in 2020.
- Legacy SPG hotels will be able to view and use their 2020 ICD allotments in HPP.
Feb. 9, 2020: Hotels to be reminded of Marriott Bonvoy Category and ICD changes via Weekly Update.
March 4, 2020:
- Marriott Bonvoy Land-It task due date for Opera PMS hotels to complete category change.
- Hotel Category changes implemented centrally across all reservation touch points and Cash + Points Reimbursement Rates updated centrally in HPP.
- Legacy Marriott Rewards / The Ritz-Carlton Rewards hotels will be able to view their 2020 ICD allotments in HPP.
Hotel Categories
As a reminder, hotel categories are based on the prior year’s average reimbursement rate (ARR). The ARR is the average of all redemption room nights reimbursed at the hotel’s base reimbursement rate plus all redemption room nights reimbursed at a percentage of average daily rate (ADR) under the loyalty reimbursement policy. Hotel category changes will impact the points required by members to redeem but will not impact Marriott Bonvoy reimbursement rates. ARRs for the entire portfolio are evaluated on an annual basis as well.
For more information, view the FAQs on MGS.
Inventory Control Dates (ICDs)
Currently part of the Marriott Bonvoy Travel program, ICDs will be extended to legacy SPG hotels effective Feb. 5, 2020. ICDs will also be retained for legacy Marriott Rewards / The Ritz-Carlton Rewards hotels. While ICD allotments for legacy SPG hotels will become effective on Feb. 5, 2020, the 2020 ICD allotments for legacy Marriott Rewards / The Ritz-Carlton Rewards hotels will be effective on March 4, 2020, following the annual March update. Hotels may use ICDs throughout 2020 and can set them up in HPP with four allowable changes in a calendar year.
For more information, view the FAQs on MGS. Please note ICDs are under review; details regarding availability beyond 2020 will be shared at a later date.
Cash + Points Reimbursement Information
The Cash + Points redemption option provides revenue opportunities for hotels during need times, increasing revenue potential with incremental paid nights, food & beverage, golf, spa, etc.
As a reminder, Cash + Points allows members to use combination of cash and points for a single-night redemption stay at a property. The cash and point values for these awards are based on the property’s category. For these awards, the property keeps the cash amount paid by the member and will also receive additional reimbursement if the property’s base rate is higher than the cash amount.
Revenue managers are encouraged to consider opening Cash + Points as often as possible when the hotel is projecting less than 90% occupancy. Refer to the Cash + Points MGS page for training and resources.
