The Marriott Marquis (aka The Jukebox) in downtown San Francisco (Photo: Marriott)
Following a similar move last month by Hilton HHonors, Marriott has come out with news of an exclusive discount program for members of its Marriott Rewards loyalty program.
The company said it will introduce the new Marriott Rewards Member Rates on April 11, providing “an exclusive preferred rate” to program members (also including Ritz-Carlton Rewards members) who book their rooms directly with Marriott through its website, its mobile app, its call centers, or “select corporate travel professionals.” The Hilton HHonors discounts also require direct bookings.
Marriott said the rate will offer discounts of at least two percent for weekday bookings and as much as five percent on weekends. The discounts will apply to the hotel’s “lowest applicable available public rates for non-premium rooms,” Marriott noted. They will be in place across all Marriott brands worldwide except Bulgari Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
The Marriott Rewards preferred rates are one more piece in an effort to steer customers away from booking through third-party websites and online travel agencies. Marriott already has a Best Rate Guarantee in place, which promises guests who book direct that if they can find a lower rate for the same hotel, dates and room type through another channel within 24 hours of booking, Marriott will not only match that price but reduce it by 25 percent.
Do typically book your hotel stays directly with the supplier, or do you use a third party site? Please leave your comments below.
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Interesting about the “select corporate travel professionals” part. I think a lot of us business travellers use company-negotiated rates that are far better (more than 2% better, certainly) than you can get as a member of the general public. Even without negotiated rates, the AAA/AARP rate is often better than 5% off the public rate. Seems like 2% isn’t that big of a deal?
Have a funny feeling that come April 11th we will all get screwed with new mileage limits making it even harder to get a free room.