Marriott Bonvoy Status Extended as Part of Coronavirus Response
Marriott is offering status extensions, liberal refund policies and complimentary rooms to healthcare professionals as part of coordinated response to pandemic
In a statement to frequent guests of the global hotel brand, Arne M. Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, announced that Marriott Bonvoy members would be eligible for a status extension and would not have to worry for a while about their points expiring.
“We know that when you get back in the air and on the road, your points and status will be important to you,” he said.
To that end, the status that was earned in 2019 will be extended through February 2022. To provide guests ample time to redeem points, the expiration of points will be paused until February 2021. At that time, points will only expire if the account has been inactive for at least 24 months.
In an additional move, Marriott is allowing those guests with reservations who now have unclear plans regarding what travel they will be doing in the coming months to cancel their reservations without concerns for penalties.
For guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates that are typically more restrictive, the hotel brand will allow full changes or cancellation without charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, as long as the change or cancellation is made by June 30, 2020. However, any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and will accommodate any rate differences.
For new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates through June 30, 2020, Marriott will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival date.
Finally, in an initiative, called “Rooms for Responders,” the hotel company is providing free rooms in some of the areas most impacted by the coronavirus, including New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. and Newark, N.J. The program is a joint initiative supported by the hotel company’s credit card partners, American Express and JPMorgan Chase, dedicating $10 million worth of hotel stays for healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 in the United States.
“Marriott understands that the pulse of the world beats as one to overcome COVID-19 and its devastating impact around the globe,” said Sorenson. “We’ve heard from many of you asking how you can help. Through Marriott Bonvoy’s Giving Platform, you can donate your Marriott Bonvoy points to relief organizations that are active in COVID-19 responses around the world and that Marriott is also supporting, including the American Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNICEF and World Central Kitchen.”
