If you are a member of Marriott Rewards who is hoping to take advantage of the Elite Rollover Nights and Elite Buy Back programs this year for 2019, you are out of luck, as those benefits were eliminated from the frequent guest loyalty program.
Elite Rollover Nights and Buy Back Benefits Eliminated From Marriott Rewards
Elite Rollover nights allowed members of Marriott Rewards who have earned elite level status to apply any nights earned in excess of requirements achieved for a level of elite status toward retaining elite status for the following year — or may help achieve a higher level of elite status more quickly.
The Elite Buy Back program gave members of Marriott Rewards who have earned elite level status for one year but had not qualified for that same status for the following year the opportunity to buy back that status for a certain amount of points — for example, 40,000 Marriott Rewards points might have been the price to buy back Platinum elite level status for the next year.
First announced in late November, 2017 was the last year you can earn Elite Rollover nights — meaning that any nights earned in excess of elite requirements in 2017 rolled over to 2018; but excess nights earned in 2018 will not roll over to 2019.
“We are dedicated to delivering quality and consistency for our most loyal members”, according to this document created by the community managers at Marriott Rewards | Insiders. “These changes will help ensure that we continue to provide exceptional Elite experiences during every stay. We want to ensure our most loyal Marriott Rewards and SPG Elite members who have linked their accounts and matched their status enjoy their earned Elite benefits such as lounge access and room upgrades on a consistent basis.”
Elevated Hertz Status Offer
The partnership between Marriott Rewards and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards has strengthened for 2018 — but enrollment for membership in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards frequent renter loyalty program is required in order to take advantage of this offer, which includes:
- All Marriott Rewards members are eligible for membership with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Marriott Rewards members who have earned Platinum elite level status are eligible for complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star level status — but registration is required; and benefits include:
- One-car-class upgrades, which are subject to availability
- Expedited rental service
- See more details of Hertz Five Star status
- Marriott Rewards members who have earned Platinum Premier elite level status are eligible for complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle level status — but registration is required; and benefits include:
- Confirmed vehicle availability of standard equipment Economy through Full-Size 4-Door vehicles in the United States and Canada, with a minimum 48-hour advance reservation
- Confirmed one-car-class upgrade, available at all participating locations in the United States, Canada and select European locations — the maximum upgrade to a Full-Size vehicle, with a minimum reservation of a Compact vehicle
- Expedited rental service
- See more details of Hertz President’s Circle status
Summary
“I don’t get the lament of the loss of rollover. It was introduced simultaneously with the dramatic cutback in lounge quality circa 2008. It minted tons of elites who then all shared watered down benefits of which will probably not come back. If we’re all special then none of us are special. And once making said special threshold, why would you want to start anew at a new chain (of precious few remain) or enjoy the benefits earned – assuming they are actually worthwhile & delivered as promised…”
That opinion of FlyerTalk member joshua362 seems to be similar to that of FlyerTalk member JHake10, who posted that “Maybe this will trim down on the elite levels a bit and let hotel provide better benefits. One can hope” — but they are otherwise in the minority of this discussion in which many FlyerTalk members lament the loss of the aforementioned benefits; and they are not exactly excited about the strengthened partnership with Hertz.
The Elite Rollover nights program has been around for at least 16 years — and for some members of the Marriott Rewards frequent guest loyalty program who were used to that benefit, getting adjusted to the loss of that benefit will not be easy…
Photograph ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
