Pros and Cons of Marriott rewards program

Pros

1 lot of properties in North America, if you are business traveler, especially travel to some area where has no full service hotel around, Marriott chains other brand may be available.

2 As mentioned earlier, Travel package award and redemption at Ritz-Carlton hotels.

3 Consistence- All their rooms are very similar to each other and offer consistent service.

4 relatively low points requirement at its “high end” cat 7 properties

Cons
1. Very Very bad elite recognition at its properties and hard to achieve elite status. As a GOLD elite/PLAT elite (50 nights/75 nights), you will only get upgrade to lounge floor with access to lounge or breakfast coupon. No late checkout benefit or suite upgrades benefit like SPG. You only get one category upgrade as a PLAT member at some resort properties. That’s all you get.

2. All their properties look similar; you can not find any luxury properties excluding Ritz-Carlton hotels. As compared to other chains, they all come with some super luxury hotels. I exclude Ritz-Carlton because you can not accumulate points while staying here, therefore should not be considered as part of Chain.

3.Award rooms are capacity controlled; you will need to double ur points if there is no award rooms available. SPG and Hilton have no capacity for standard room redemption, as long as they have a standard room for sale, you can redeem it.

4 Bonus promotion is not as generous as Hyatt or Priority club.

5. No real difference between Gold and Platinum member.

I know some people may say you can use marriott Gift card and Bonus bucks to bring the total cost down, but the lack of elite reconginition and dump properties do not worth those few extra bucks saved.