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Marriott Category 8 Pricing Won't Take Effect Until March 2019

Dec. 14, 2018
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3 min read
SPG Maldives
Marriott Category 8 Pricing Won't Take Effect Until March 2019
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Update: Category 8 redemption rates went into effect as of March 5, 2019. For details on Marriott redemption options, please visit How to Redeem Points With the Marriott Bonvoy Program.

One of the long-awaited changes in the Marriott/SPG integration will be the introduction of new, top-tier Category 8 pricing in 2019. Once this takes effect, standard award rates at roughly 60 luxurious hotels and resorts around the world will jump from 60,000 points to 85,000 points per night. As a result, our recommendation has been to book properties like the St. Regis Maldives and St. Regis Bora Bora now before the pricing change takes effect.

Originally this change was slated for 2019, and the assumption was that it would happen early in the year. Well, it now looks like you have a couple of additional months of breathing room. While we don't have a specific date, Marriott has confirmed that Category 8 redemption rates go into effect in March 2019 along with annual category changes. This new information is now reflected on the program's category page with award rates:

Marriott has confirmed that this change will happen on "a date to be determined in March" and has promised to update as as soon as possible, and we don't yet know any details on how significant the category changes will be at that time. That being said, I still take this as positive news, since you now have at least the first two months of 2019 to lock in award stays at the properties shifting to Category 8. And since you can typically book Marriott properties roughly 50 weeks in advance, that'll extend this pricing into February 2020.

Bear in mind, too, that this update comes on the heels of remaining legacy SPG properties shifting to Marriott's booking site, meaning that Points Advance is now available across the combined portfolio of 29 brands. This is one of my favorite things about the Marriott program, as it allows you to book award stays when you're short on points. You then just need to earn enough to cover the stay within 14 days of your arrival, giving you plenty of time to boost your balance. This is a terrific strategy to use before Category 8 pricing takes effect.

We'll be sure to keep you updated on all things Marriott as additional information is provided.

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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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