{"id":154484,"date":"2025-03-07T23:00:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T23:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/memo-to-loyalty-programs-slashing-benefits-and-earning-rates-impacts-my-booking-decisions-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-03-07T23:00:49","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T23:00:49","slug":"memo-to-loyalty-programs-slashing-benefits-and-earning-rates-impacts-my-booking-decisions-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/memo-to-loyalty-programs-slashing-benefits-and-earning-rates-impacts-my-booking-decisions-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Memo to loyalty programs: Slashing benefits and earning rates impacts my booking decisions – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This week, two major loyalty programs made updates that were not favorable for customers. On Tuesday, Marriott Bonvoy<\/a> updated its terms and conditions to indicate that members will earn points at a reduced rate and earn no elite night credits at StudioRes properties<\/a>. Then, on Wednesday, Southwest Rapid Rewards drastically reduced points earnings<\/a> for select fares.<\/p>\n

As I thought about these updates, I considered how they would affect my interactions with these programs. I already take earning rates for points and elite night credits into account when booking hotels, but it’s a bad sign that Marriott Bonvoy now has a brand that awards no elite bonus points or elite night credits on stays. And although I rarely book paid Southwest Airlines flights, I’ll now be even less likely to do so.<\/p>\n

Loyalty programs exist to incentivize engagement and spending with a program. So, one easy way to protest negative loyalty program updates is with your wallet. Here are some ways I’ll protect myself from these negative updates and how you can, too.<\/p>\n

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Avoid affected hotel brands<\/h2>\n

For years, several major hotel loyalty programs<\/a> have singled out some brands as earning at lower rates. But Marriott Bonvoy has by far the highest number of brands with lower earning rates. Marriott Bonvoy is also the only major hotel loyalty program that doesn’t give an elite night credit per night stayed at all its brands.<\/p>\n

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