Marriott Bonvoy Upgrade Waitlist: Your Place in Line, in the App
A Marriott Bonvoy upgrade waitlist in the app now shows elites their place in line and upgrades available. What it reveals, what it hides, and how to use it.
The Best Marriott Club Lounge in 20 Years of Bonvoy Status: Osaka Station Hotel's Specialty Salon Serves Caviar, Beef Tenderloin, and Laurent-Perrier All Day
The Osaka Station Hotel Autograph Collection's Specialty Salon is not a standard Marriott club lounge — it's a restricted-access experience available to Specialty Salon floor guests and Bonvoy Ambassador members as a courtesy. It serves Laurent-Perrier champagne from breakfast, bartender-prepared cocktails, afternoon tea, and an evening spread of caviar, made-to-order beef tenderloin, and steamed lobster.
Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card Review: The $125 Fee That Earns Its Keep for Status Chasers
At $125 annually, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex offers a free night award worth up to 35,000 points, 15 elite nights toward status, and a current 100K welcome offer through November 2026. The math works for frequent Marriott guests; it doesn't for casual stays.
W Hotel Maldives After a 10-Month Renovation: Is It Worth 570,000 Bonvoy Points?
OMAAT community reviewer stayed at the newly renovated W Maldives, one of the most-redeemed Bonvoy properties in the Indian Ocean. The redesign matured the aesthetic, the house reef is the best in the North Ari Atoll, and the fifth-night-free benefit makes the points math work.
Do Hotel Points Expire? A Complete Guide to Policies and How to Extend Them
Most major hotel loyalty programs expire points after 12–24 months of inactivity, but extending that clock is often trivial. Here's the expiration policy for every major hotel group and the fastest ways to reset the timer.
This Marriott Hotel Only Charges Its Resort Fee on Award Bookings
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel waives its new $60 resort fee on cash rates but charges it on points redemptions — a structure Hyatt's award terms explicitly forbid.
212,000 Marriott Points for an 8-Square-Meter Room: The Branding Problem Nobody Mentions
A traveler redeemed 212K Marriott Bonvoy points for a London 'pod' room so small he couldn't open his suitcase. The specs were disclosed. The brand expectation wasn't.
Marriott Bonvoy's Secret Status Challenge: Gold or Platinum in Under 3 Months
An unpublished Marriott Bonvoy status challenge lets members earn Gold Elite in 8 nights or Platinum in 16 — but only if you know to call and ask for it.
The Hotel Scam That's Quietly Eroding Your Loyalty Points Value
Some hotels fabricate occupancy to collect higher loyalty program reimbursements — a documented scheme that inflates program costs and feeds directly into award night devaluations.
Hotel Owners Want a Bigger Cut of Marriott's Loyalty Revenue — and Award Members Should Pay Attention
51 hotel owners representing ~1,000 Marriott properties signed a letter demanding better reimbursement for Bonvoy award stays. If they succeed, award costs for members are likely to rise.
The $11.6 Billion Hotel Loyalty Float: What Marriott and Hilton Actually Owe You
Seven hotel groups collectively owe members $11.6 billion in unredeemed points. Understanding the accounting behind that number reveals when loyalty programs benefit members — and when they don't.
Marriott Platinum Status: When 53% of Guests Have It, What's It Worth?
At one Taipei hotel, 53% of rooms held Platinum or higher Marriott status. The math behind elite inflation — and what it means for loyalty program value.