Year 2021 Enhanced Marriott Bonvoy benefit (Fast Forward to Elite Rewards)

Recently Marriot Bonvoy has started to send e-mails to their members on promo on their membership programme. Under their current promo, members are able to speed up the process to earn "Elite Status" - that's what they call for the tiered membership rewards. 

Promo #1: Members will be awarded 50% of the Elite nights in Feb 2021, similar to 2020. Under this arrangement, you will get 5 nights if you're Elite Silver, 12 nights if you're Elite Gold or 25 nights if you're Elite Platinum in 2020. This is automatic and elite nights will be credited automatically in Feb 2021.

Promo #2: From 16th Feb till 27th April, all stays with a minimum of 2 nights will be awarded double elite nights and double points. Remember to register for the promo when it's out.

Promo #3: Up to 40% off if booking is made using points during off-peak or low season. 

For those who wants to take advantage of the promos above to achieve Platinum status, you may go plan ahead and book 2 nights stay after 16th Feb 2021. With this promo, you will only need 25 nights stay to earn yourself a Platinum status (refer to the perks that comes attached with it) With hotel prices at multi-year low right now, it's never been a better time to go and book yourself some stays and achieve the status that you're aiming for. However, just a word of caution, do take very good care of yourself as COVID19 cases has been in the rise for the past few months. 

Review: Element Kuala Lumpur Hotel

As a lifetime Silver-Elite member of Marriott Bonvoy, I always love the experience at the nice ambience that those upper scale hotels offer. My view is that rather than having your own place done up to that standards (which is very costly), we can spend some money to stay at those places occasionally, especially when there is a good deal.

Throughout the months of August till October, I stayed at a few Marriot Bonvoy's properties and one of the happened to be Element Kuala Lumpur (by Westin). You will be wondering that what does by Westin means? Westin used to be a Starwood brand (before they were merged with Marriott) and they have their famous heavenly bed, which costs RM10,000 for just the mattress. Element is a scaled down version of Westin. When I mean 'scaled down' it means that services offered is lower than Westin but on the hardware, they went for the 'simplicity feel'. Instead of more furniture in the room, they offer more spaces but still premium hardware like the same Westin Heavenly bed, Westin toiletries. However, as Element KL is a designed as Green Building, they do not offer bottled water but instead offer 3M Filtered water and plenty of culinary like cups, plates etc.

Some photos:

Welcome gift - Lifetime Silver Elite

Views from the bedroom

Hotel Lobby (downstairs)

King Bed

Bedroom

View of the room

Pantry

Shower Area

Entrance

Art Deco at Lift Lobby

Lift

During my first stay, I was offered a Welcome gift as a Silver Elite Member. Normally it's reserved for Gold Elite Member and above but kudos to them for the membership recognition. The room was very spacious (400 sqft+), it has a sink, lots of plates, fork and spoons, cups and even dish washer. The room deco was actually simple and modern and it's marketed as "studio".

Oh, did I mention that this building is designed by Foster + Partners? It's one of the world's most renowned architecture firms. The hotel is part of Ilham Tower, which the lower floors are all office space and an art gallery (a personal collection of Tun Daim himself).

It has an indoor swimming pool (named Ombak) and it's definitely a plus for Malaysian weather, especially the pool is heated and water is comfortable to swim in. I did not managed to take photos of them unfortunately. In general, the few stays there were perfect (that's why I went back for more nights). Breakfast selection was limited but food quality is fantastic. And imagine sitting right next to the window, enjoy the KL skyline view, what else more can you ask for?

What I like about the hotel?
1. Big spacious room with big bed and 50" television
2. Pretty good soundproofing
3. Good views of KL, Ampang skyline (depending on which room you get)
4. Very good built quality and very comfortable room

What I feel that can be better?
1. Service is inconsistent but some staff are superb (especially if those who used to serve in Westin), enjoyed the check-in process and talking to them.
2. Car park is situated 'behind' and 'in a separate' building. You need to go down to ground floor to access the hotel lobby. Upon arriving at the hotel's lobby, you will still need to take the lift to level 40. During COVID19's season, one lift can accommodate just 1 family of 4 and the wait might be long (considering guests use the same lift from G to Level 40 and later on from Level 40 to their respective rooms).

Overall, it's a hotel that is worth paying for, even for a weekend getaway or staycation.

Review: Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur Room

Hotel rates has fallen dramatically this year and I like one of the many has taken advantage of it to try those nice (but expensive hotels out). Since I am a lifetime Silver Elite of Marriot Bonvoy membership programme, I had tried a few of the hotels out. It's also due to the familiarity with them (not on the promotions they offered). 

In September, I took up a promo where I paid RM320/night for 1 night stay at Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur and was being offered another night's stay at Majestic Hotel Melaka. It came just a room without breakfast but it's a pretty enjoyable stay. 

The hotel has a Tower Wing and the "old" Majestic Wing. Tower wing is a new building completed somewhere in 2013 where Majestic Wing is part of the original property and brings lot of heritage to the place. The ballrooms is situated at Tower Wing and between the Tower Wing and Majestic Wing, it houses Orchid Conservatory Cafe. Meanwhile, Colonial cafe is situated at the "old" Majestic Wing.

Now, let's have a look at the series of photos below.

Upon arrival at Majestic Hotel, we were 'welcomed' by a long queue.

Bathroom is equipped with a big bathtub and also a TV. It has separate bath area and WC.

The bedroom's design is inline with Majestic Classic look and feel.

The view of the very sizeable bathroom from the bedroom

You can lie down in the bathtub and enjoy your favorite TV programme

Coffe and tea making facilities in the room. It comes with a capsule coffee machine

Room

The room

What I like/enjoy:
1. The bathtub with TV is certainly the most exciting feature of the room. I have stayed at many hotels but first with such a sizeable bathtub (standalone) and you can close the area with a sliding door (so that it's not cold) and curtain for extra privacy. Light a candle and watch your favorite TV while soaking in the warm comfy bathtub is definitely heaven on earth.
2. The 'classic' design of the room - it's classic English design in-line with the hotel's theme. Even the security wears shorts like the good old days English policemen. 
3. It has a coffee machine with capsule vs almost all hotels will offer you sachet of Nescafe.
4. It has many unique offerings like Orchid Conservatory which serve English style afternoon tea.

I have not tried out food and beverages during the stay. I will be returning for another stay with Buffett dinner and Breakfast as part of the package. Stay tune.

Hilton Honors Membership - how to obtain Gold or Diamond in 2021 the easy way?

In my previous articles, we talked about the promotions for Hilton Honors programme in Year 2021 and the different perks attached to the different Elite levels. In this article, we will discuss the strategy to achieve your goals and take benefit of Hilton Honors membership programme.

Strategies:
1. Book basic and cheap rooms - If you read the requirements of obtaining Gold and Diamond Elite, they only mention stays. Qualifying stays include rooms booked with points and rooms with any price point. Look at the snapshot taken below. Doubletree KL will cost 2x of Hilton Garden Inn. If your aim is to qualify for the membership upgrade, initially you should book and stay at cheaper basic rooms (i.e. RM 76 x 10 nights = RM760). The strategy is to get to Gold Elite status first.

2. Always book direct via Hilton Honors app or website. Any nights that are booked and stayed via other platform like Agoda, Traveloka would not be counted.

3. Once you hit Gold Elite, you can start to enjoy better hotels (Hilton PJ, Double Tree KL). This is because they will provide room upgrade and free continental breakfast which easily costs RM50++/pax or even if you book breakfast together with the stay, breakfast will easily cost you RM25-30 per pax. Not to mention a better room like Deluxe or Suite room will cost you even more. The value of the upgrades normally ranges from RM70-150 per night.

The Snapshot shows that it's RM148+ (room only) vs RM204+(2 breakfasts) for Hilton PJ 1 night's stay.

4. Once you achieve Gold or Diamond in Year 2021, your Elite status be rowed over into Year 2022 automatically and you can still enjoy all these perks by paying minimal for the rest of 2022.

5. Book for friends or family members under your name if they come down and stay nearby you. Any stay will be considered as yours although it's not you staying there.

So, if you're looking at achieving Gold or Diamond, Year 2021 might be the perfect chance for you to do so. Start planning if you're keen.

Hilton Honors Membership - What are the perks for different Elite Tiers

In my previous article, we discuss about the big Promo for Year 2021 which Hilton Honors is running. Here we are going to discuss the different Elite Ties of benefits that you're going to have with Hilton Honors membership programme.

I am not going to mention the basic member but will straight jump into Silver Elite. Head over to Hilton Honors website for details of the Perks

1. Silver Elite
Key highlights: You'll Earn 20% extra Bonus Points and 5th Night Free when you book a room with points.

2. Gold Elite
Key highlights: On top of Silver Elite's perks, you'll Earn 80% Bonus Points, Larger room (Space Available room upgrades), Free Continental Breakfast.

3. Diamond Elite
Key highlights: On top of Gold Elite's perks, you'll Earn 100% Bonus Points, Executive Lounge Access and Premium Internet (normally faster connections).

So, let's ask ourselves, what is the most valuable during a hotel stay? 
1. For me, the main attraction of the programme is free Breakfast for two
2. Secondly will be the Room Upgrade where you can book a basic room and get upgraded to a bigger room including suites etc. 
3. Thirdly, access to Executive Lounge is an added benefit where you can get free drinks and food (and probably dinner) at hotels with a lounge.

In view of the above, with the promo, you will just need 20 nights or 10 stays to get Gold Elite status where you can start enjoying free room upgrades and Free Continental Breakfast. Just split out your stays (i.e. one night every other weekend and you'll be getting all your perks).

Hilton Honors Membership - Special Promo for Year 2021

Since COVID19 hit the world, the hotel industry suffers great losses in revenue and visitor traffic. I have been a long term member of Marriot Bonvoy (used to be Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards separately) and am their lifetime Silver Elite. 

Recently, what caught my attention is the promotion that they are running for Year 2021 in their COVID19 Response Website. In a nutshell, below is the summary of the additional promo that they provide due to COVID19.

1. You will only need HALF the nights, stays and base points to earn a Elite Status. Which means that you will need only 5 nights to reach Silver, 20 nights to reach Gold and 30 nights to reach Diamond (or 2 stays to reach Silver, 10 stays to reach Gold and 15 stays to reach Diamond) in 2021.

2. Points will not be expired in 2021 and will be extended automatically to 2022. Previously it's 12 months from your last stay hence you'll have to stay once every 12 months in order to continue your membership.

3. Maintain your status until March 31, 2022. For those already with Gold or Diamond, it'll continue until March 31, 2022.

The above promo are a big one as it literally makes it so much easier for those who wanted the Elite status to earn them (very cheaply also). Next, I will discuss the perks of Hilton Honors membership.

Marriott Bonvoy - What they have done to attract $$ in?

As we know, tourism is the worst hit industry from this COVID19 pandemic. During the hey days, an empty hotel room will cost >RM400 at city centre or even more if it's rated 5-star and above. 

Hotels these days have very few visitors and holiday makers (due to government's MCOs restrictions). Yes it's the right choice for a responsible government to do in order to minimize the risk of transmission and not to overload the medical system. 

Marriott being one of the largest group in the world has allowed those hotels to subscribe to them to drop prices to pull in value holiday makers and fill up their rooms. I have stayed at the Majestic Hotel, Aloft Hotel KL and The Element KL couple of times due to the cheap offerings made, which in normal times I would probably not willing to fork out the amount for it. 

1. Marriott now allows you to buy more points at get 60% more. 

2. Extend all Free Nights till Aug 2021

3. They are promoting the Hotels' restaurants and takeaways. I do not know whether you would like to order a takeaway or not from Le Meridien KL's Prime and eat it at home - I probably not, considering that the price that you pay supposed to come with the ambience, service and the setting of the place. Else, it probably shouldn't be worth that price.

To find out more about Marriott Membership programme, you may refer to my previous post

*Note: I am not sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy in any manner and whatever I wrote here is based on my own experience with the membership programme.

Marriott Bonvoy - Thank you Offer - Shutterfly

I have recently (a month ago) stayed at one of the Marriott Bonvoy's hotels and they have sent me a surprise e-mail this morning.

Terms and condition says that it's limited to a 20-standard page 8x8 hardcover photo book

I clicked on the link and it brought me to shutterfly's website. Signed up for an account to try it out.

So for all Marriott Bonvoy members, have you got your offer today?

Marriott Bonvoy Membership Programme (in Malaysia Context)

Friends who know me well enough knows that I used to travel a fair bit within Malaysia and also a hotel person. I enjoy good hotels as they provide good ambience and enhance travel experience or even provide a nice weekend getaway (especially during RMCO where I still don't feel safe enough to travel to places outside Klang Valley). 

It's a privilege that I was able to enjoy staying at those 5-stars hotel - JW Marriott Hotel Bukit Bintang, The Westin KL, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur etc and the bills were footed by company. I joined the membership programme and I am now a lifetime Silver. I used to be a Platinum member of SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) before they merge with Marriott Rewards and rebranded as Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott now has one of the world's largest and finest hotels collection and new properties are popping up in various towns in Malaysia.

Now, let me introduce what it takes to be at different tier of the membership programme and maybe look at if it's right for you? Membership at a glance:

For those who is familiar with the rewards programme, you will know the "powerful" and "almighty" Platinum status - it gives you free breakfast, free lounge access, late check out at 4pm and free room upgrades etc.

We also know that in the US, there are ways like having Chase Marriott Credit card which will help you to 'leap frog' to Gold or Platinum status or significantly reduces the required nights to achieve platinum. Unfortunately for us here in Malaysia, there is no co-brand cards that allows us to enjoy the perks. So for a person who aspire to enjoy the platinum status, what can he/she do?

First, let's explore what it takes to be a Platinum Member? To be a Silver Member, you will need 10 qualifying nights (nights that are paid or redeemed with points). To be a Gold member, you will need to stay at least 25 nights. And to be a Platinum Member, you will need a total of 50 nights! I am not going to mention Titanium and above as our aim here is to qualify for the bare minimum Platinum to allow us to enjoy the perks.

https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi

Let's say you have stayed for 50 nights in 2020 and voila you're a Platinum member now! Your will remain Platinum for the remaining of Year 2020. By end of 2020, your Platinum status will be continue to run for another 14 months before you'll be downgraded (if you're unable to meet the 50 nights requirement). That will be on 1st March 2022 that you'll be downgraded to Gold Elite status.

Since in Malaysia we do not have co-brands card that will 'leap frog' our status, but don't be despair, there are some tips and tricks that will work things out for you:

1. Stay at Category 1 (aka cheaper hotels) - hotels like AC Hotels, Four Points all have lower pricing as they are 3 - 4 stars hotel. Marriott Bonvoy did not say "how much you need to spend" to earn "1 qualifying night". A night's stay is a night anyway, regardless of a night's stay in The Westin or AC Hotel KL. 

2. Plan ahead and book rooms with free cancellation at lower prices. Prices are normally lower if you book in advance. Look for deals which allows free cancellation (i.e. cancellation 1 or 3 days prior to the stay). 

3. Plan for staycations - there are plenty of hotels in KL under Marriott brand which you can go and stay for a night or two for the family to enjoy without breaking your pocket.

4. Use points when it's worth it - i.e. Marriott occasionally have points promo where  you can redeem a room at lower points. 

5. Book on behalf of friends and family - this is a little bit tricky but it works! I used to book for friends and family members so that they enjoyed the same platinum priviledges. The trick is that you book under your name, check in on behalf and put your friends/families' name as room guests upon check-in. This allows them to reactivate their key cards just in case something is wrong with their cards.  

6. Sign up for promotions and deals - Marriott Bonvoy constantly have promotions and deals to attract travellers to stay with them. They offer extra points, lower room prices or bundled deals (dinner/breakfast + room). 

I took advantage of the promos during COVID19 and stayed a few wonderful nights at those 'high end' hotels in KL. During Promotion time, 5000 points is enough to book another room (this means that my 2 nights stay at Majestic KL + Element KL earns me another night stay somewhere).

So what are you waiting for? Start planning if you're keen to  enjoy some hotel stays and be a 'lifetime Silver, Gold or even Platinum'.