Marriott Bonvoy to Improve Suite Night Awards
Update: Marriott has confirmed these changes and has revealed the new name for Suite Night Awards. They shared with us today that starting in early 2024, the following updates will apply:
- Nightly Upgrade Awards will be the new name for Suite Nights Awards to better align with the benefit. Nightly Upgrade Awards are one-night confirmable upgrades to a premium room or suite.
- Members will be able to choose from five additional brands when redeeming their awards: The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Aloft, Element and Protea Hotels
- Nearly 20% more premium rooms and suites will be available for upgrades across all participating brands with features like oceanfront rooms, balconies, and extra space.
- Members will receive notification regarding the status of their Nightly Upgrade Awards request closer to check-in, starting three days prior to arrival.
Continue reading the original article below from June 20th:
Marriott offers Suite Night Awards as one of the choices Marriott Bonvoy members have when achieving 50 Qualifying Nights annually and then again when achieving 75 Qualifying Nights annually.
A Suite Night Award is a one-night confirmable upgrade to a standard suite or select premium room, depending on the hotel’s availability. Suite Night Awards are only offered for standard suites or premium rooms as designated by the hotel.
While this is a nice perk that was carried over from the SPG program, it is often challenging to use them when needed most. And Marriott is now looking to improve that experience that by making changes later this year and in early 2024. The information comes from an internal memo.
Name Change
First, the name will change, although we do not know the new name yet. This will happen in the fourth quarter of 2023.
More Brands and Room Types
Starting in the the first quarter of 2024, Suite Night Awards will be applicable at more brands.
Currently you can’t use them at The Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, EDITION, Protea Hotels, Aloft, Element, Design Hotels all-Suite Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club properties and Vistana properties.
The The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Protea, Aloft and Element will become eligible starting next year.
Another way that Marriott plans to improve Suite Night Awards is by making additional room types available for upgrades at currently participating brands. This should make more rooms available for upgrades and likely making it easier to get confirmed for an upgrade.
Longer Confirmation Window
Marriott is also considering changing the current window to fulfill upgrades. Currently, once you request to use your Suite Night Awards for a stay, Marriott checks the upgrade availability starting five days prior to arrival and will keep checking every day until 2:00 PM local hotel time, one day prior to arrival.
You get notified either way via email if the upgrade is confirmed or not. Suite Night Awards are not confirmed until you receive an email confirmation. If the upgrade is not available, you will get your Suite Night Awards back to your account.
Later this year they will make a decision on whether this 5-day window will be expended.
Paid Upgrades
Marriott wants to offer upgrades even to those who do not have Suite Night Awards. The company is “exploring options for members to be able to purchase a confirmed upgrade before arrival through new digital upsell placements and merchandising across the Marriott Bonvoy app and website.” There’s no word on pricing yet.
Better Compensation for Hotels
Marriott Bonvoy plans to better compensate hotels when members successfully redeem a Suite Night Award. Currently hotels only get payment for Suite Night Award when they are at 85% capacity or above.
HT: View from the Wing and Doctor of Credit
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[…] Marriott Bonvoy Suite Night Awards Updates Confirmed – Miles to Memories […]
Accor and Hyatt provide means for an upgrade at the time of booking. SNAs never worked for me. Hollow benefit. I stopped electing them as a choice award.