Marriott Worldwide is the most important lodge chain on this planet, with a world footprint of over 6,500 properties and a highly regarded Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

Nonetheless, there are two lesser-known Marriott packages which aren’t as extensively mentioned, however that may supply a ton of worth for paid bookings.

Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous can help you take pleasure in enhanced advantages at sure Marriott properties, with no need to have Marriott Bonvoy elite standing in any respect. These two packages are solely out there via choose journey advisors, that means that you could’t e-book a lodge via these packages by yourself.

On this information, we’ll dive into what these two packages are, their advantages, and when it makes probably the most sense to e-book Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous accommodations.

What Is Marriott STARS?

Marriott STARS consists of solely probably the most luxurious lodge manufacturers inside the Marriott portfolio. The next manufacturers are a part of Marriott STARS:

• The Ritz-Carlton
• Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• St. Regis
• EDITION
• The Luxurious Assortment
• Bvlgari Motels and Resorts

You may e-book any lodge that belongs to those manufacturers via the Marriott STARS program, and if you do, you’ll get the next advantages:

• A $100 (USD) lodge credit score per keep
• Complimentary each day breakfast for as much as two folks per room
• Room improve, topic to availability upon check-in
• Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability
• In-person welcome
• A customized welcome amenity

The 2 Most worthy advantages are the $100 (USD) credit score, and the complimentary breakfast for 2. Moreover, room upgrades could be immensely useful, particularly if you happen to get an improve to one of many higher-tier suites at any of those luxurious accommodations.

There isn’t any further value for reserving via Marriott STARS and receiving these advantages. Nonetheless, the speed you e-book is often equal to the very best versatile charge you’d discover on Marriott.com or via the Marriott app.

Because of this pay as you go charges, member charges, or company charges wouldn’t be eligible for bookings with Marriott STARS. Whereas they’d value lower than the Marriott STARS charge, they don’t embrace the identical perks, and so they can be extra restrictive.

For instance, let’s suppose that you just’re heading to Tasmania and also you’ve received your eyes on The Tasman, a Luxurious Assortment Lodge. You propose on paying money for the keep, and also you don’t take pleasure in standing with Marriott.

A one-night keep costs out at $478 AUD ($413 CAD) as a Member Versatile Price. It doesn’t include any further perks or advantages.

When booked via Marriott STARS, the identical room costs out at $488 AUD ($422 CAD), however comes with numerous additional inclusions.

By reserving via Marriott STARS and paying an additional $10, you’d take pleasure in the next facilities for roughly the identical worth as if reserving straight with the lodge:

• Complimentary breakfast for 2
• A $100 (USD) lodge credit score
• Early check-in and late check-out (topic to availability)
• Welcome amenity

On this case, it makes overwhelming sense to e-book the lodge via Marriott STARS versus reserving straight with the lodge. In fact, if you happen to take pleasure in Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador standing, then breakfast and late check-out can be included anyway, however the $100 (USD) property credit score wouldn’t.

Should you’re going to pay money for a lodge underneath any of those manufacturers, it at all times is sensible to examine how the member charge compares with the STARS charge and weigh up the financial savings towards the advantages.

You may search for Marriott STARS charges by yourself utilizing the speed code “S72” on the Marriott web site, although you’ll solely have the ability to e-book via choose journey advisors.

What Is Marriott Luminous?

Marriott Luminous is sort of an identical to Marriott STARS; nonetheless, this system is made up of various Marriott lodge manufacturers, and the advantages differ barely.

The next full-service lodge manufacturers make up Marriott Luminous:

• JW Marriott
• Autograph Assortment
• W Motels
• Westin
• Le Méridien
• Marriott
• Renaissance
• Tribute Portfolio

Whereas these could also be thought of a step down from probably the most luxurious manufacturers of Marriott STARS, observe that W Motels and JW Marriott are nonetheless a part of Marriot’s luxurious manufacturers, whereas the remaining fall underneath Marriott’s “premium” tier.

The everyday suite of advantages you’ll obtain via the Marriott Luminous program consists of:

• $100 (USD) lodge credit score (at choose accommodations solely)
• Complimentary each day breakfast for as much as two folks per room
• Room improve, topic to availability upon check-in
• Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability
• A customized welcome amenity

Not like Marriott STARS, whereas some accommodations inside the Marriott Luminous portfolio could supply a $100 (USD) credit score, not all the accommodations do. It’s essential to examine and see if that profit is being supplied at your required lodge, which your journey advisor will do in your behalf.

One other main distinction between Marriott Luminous and Marriott STARS is that each one luxurious accommodations underneath STARS manufacturers could be booked via the STARS program, whereas not all accommodations underneath Luminous manufacturers take part in Luminous; particular person accommodations can select to choose out if they want.

For instance, the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort isn’t listed as a Marriott Luminous property, though the Westin model falls underneath the Marriott Luminous umbrella. Alternatively, different properties just like the JW Marriott Maldives, W Maldives, and Le Méridien Maldives are listed as Marriott Luminous properties. 

To take a more in-depth have a look at how Marriott Luminous works, let’s suppose that somebody with out Marriott Bonvoy elite standing is seeking to pay money for a keep at Le Méridien Lav close to Cut up, Croatia.

By reserving straight with the lodge, the bottom out there charge is €289 ($389 CAD).

The identical room booked via Marriott Luminous is €295 ($397 CAD), however comes with each day breakfast for 2, early check-in and late check-out (topic to availability), and an improve (topic to availability).

By paying an additional €6 ($8 CAD) per night time, you wind up with many extra advantages than if you happen to’d simply booked straight with the lodge. In fact, the distinction in charges could also be larger in some instances, by which you’d need to weigh up the financial savings towards the incremental advantages.

You may search for Marriott Luminous charges by yourself utilizing the speed code “L72” on the Marriott web site, although you’ll solely have the ability to e-book via choose journey advisors.

What Is Marriott Luminous All-Inclusive?

Along with common full-service accommodations, Marriott Luminous additionally encompasses Marriott’s all-inclusive properties, together with manufacturers like Royalton, Planet Hollywood, Elegant Motels, amongst others.

At these properties, Luminous advantages embrace the next:

• Limitless premium liquor bundle
• $50–600 (USD) lodge credit score for enhanced experiences
• Welcome amenity
• Room improve, topic to availability upon check-in
• Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability

For instance, a four-night keep on the Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay would value $396 (USD) per night time on the member charge, or $466 (USD) per night time on the public versatile charge.

Nonetheless, by reserving via Marriott Luminous, you’ll pay a reduced Luminous charge of $419 (USD) per night time, and also you’ll additionally get $600 (USD) in resort credit throughout your keep, premium liquor, a welcome amenity, the potential for an improve, early check-in, and late check-out, and extra!

These further advantages would simply justify an additional $20 (USD) per night time in comparison with reserving the member charge straight.

Should you’re planning an all-inclusive stick with one of many manufacturers inside Marriott’s portfolio, it’s virtually at all times value checking the Luminous charge to see if you happen to would possibly come out forward.

Why E-book Motels Via Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous?

The first attraction of reserving via Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous is that you could obtain elite advantages with out having to carry Marriott elite standing.

The truth is, even when you have already got elite standing, the advantages you obtain from Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous will stack along with your present elite advantages, and in some instances will even exceed them.

For instance, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above aren’t entitled to complimentary breakfast at Ritz-Carlton or EDITION properties. Furthermore, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite members aren’t entitled to room or suite upgrades at Ritz-Carlton Reserve accommodations, though they get suite upgrades in any respect different Marriott properties.

Nonetheless, reserving via Marriott STARS will get you a room improve (topic to availability), and also you’ll take pleasure in breakfast advantages in any respect Ritz-Carlton and EDITION accommodations.

Not solely will your advantages stack if you happen to maintain Marriott Elite standing, however any bookings made via the Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous packages will likely be handled as if you booked with Marriott straight.

This implies you’ll have the ability to earn Bonvoy factors and elite qualifying nights to keep up or qualify for standing. As well as, Marriott STARS and Luminous bookings will likely be eligible for any promotions you’re registered for, equivalent to double elite qualifying nights or double factors.

Methods to Maximize Worth with Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous

Whereas making bookings via Marriott STARS and Luminous can supply nice worth with the extra advantages, it’s essential to at all times evaluate charges to be sure you’re getting the very best deal you possibly can.

Evaluate with Public Charges

You probably have entry to pay as you go charges, member charges, or company charges, it’s possible you’ll discover lower-priced reserving choices than the STARS an Luminous charges. Take into account that pay as you go charges received’t provide the similar flexibility if you wish to make adjustments or cancel your reserving.

As you make your comparisons, you’ll need to resolve how a lot you worth the extra advantages supplied via Marriott STARS and Luminous, in comparison with the quantity you might save by reserving a decrease charge. At instances, the $100 (USD) credit score could simply make up the distinction, however at different instances, it received’t.

Moreover, when you have Marriott Bonvoy factors, you must weigh up whether or not it’s finest to redeem factors or pay on your keep. That is very true when you have a keep of 5 nights, as you’d then get the Fifth Evening Free profit when redeeming factors.

E-book Shorter Stays

With this in thoughts, the $100 (USD) credit score will likely be considerably extra useful on shorter stays than on longer stays, as you’ll solely get one $100 (USD) credit score regardless of what number of nights you’ve booked for.

Observe that if you happen to e-book separate consecutive nights on the similar lodge via a Marriott STARS or Luminous charge, they’ll be handled as one consecutive keep, and it’s possible you’ll not obtain the credit score every night time.

Nonetheless, if, say, you and your accomplice booked alternating stays on the similar property, then you definitely’d technically be entitled to a $100 (USD) property credit score for every “keep” – however it’s possible you’ll be requested to vary rooms if the lodge can’t accommodate you in the identical room.

Property-Particular Particular Affords

Many Marriott STARS and Luminous properties have ongoing gives particularly for company who e-book via these channels.

These could embrace easy reductions within the type of third/4th/fifth Evening Free offers, or extra inventive promotions like “e-book a set and get an extra $250 (USD) in property credit score”.

These promotions rotate all year long, and are designed as a means for Marriott to seize incremental enterprise amongst journey advisors that provide STARS and Luminous charges.

Should you’re all for a Marriott STARS or Luminous property, you possibly can ask your journey advisor if there are any particular gives occurring on the time that may assist sweeten the deal additional.

Evaluate with Virtuoso & Amex FHR

The Marriott STARS and Luminous packages aren’t the one approach to e-book luxurious Marriott accommodations and get additional perks and advantages.

Virtuoso is one other program that gives additional perks for reserving via them, whereas American Categorical High quality Motels & Resorts (FHR) gives additional perks for premium cardholders. Each packages even have high-end Marriott accommodations out there.

When making your lodge reserving, your journey advisor will have the ability to see each Virtuoso and Marriott STARS or Luminous charges, and can have the ability to give you all the very best choices in an effort to just be sure you’re getting the very best deal doable. 

In the meantime, if you happen to maintain the American Categorical Platinum Card or American Categorical Enterprise Platinum Card, then you definitely’d have to search for Amex FHR lodge charges by yourself. Certainly, this system is unique for premium cardholders, whereas anybody can e-book stays with both Marriott STARS and Luminous or Virtuoso.

One factor to notice is that bookings made via Marriott’s personal STARS and Luminous packages are inclined to have the next improve precedence than bookings made via different comparable platforms. If all else is equal, it’ll at all times make sense to e-book Marriott properties via Marriott STARS and Luminous over Virtuoso or Amex FHR.

Furthermore, Virtuoso’s $100 (USD) credit score can generally be extra restrictive than Marriott STARS and Luminous – for instance, limiting its utilization to meals and drinks moderately than all incidental spend on the property.

Nonetheless, Amex High quality Motels & Resorts gives one important profit that Marriott STARS and Luminous don’t: assured 4pm late check-out. If that is essential to you, it might be value selecting the Amex FHR charge. 

Let’s check out an instance. The St. Regis Istanbul is listed underneath each Marriott STARS and Virtuoso. 

On Virtuoso, a one-night keep in a base-level king room costs out at $542 (USD) per night time. The Virtuoso charge consists of an improve on arrival (topic to availability), buffet breakfast for 2, a $100 (USD) meals and beverage credit score, and early check-in/late check-out (topic to availability).

The identical room, if booked via Marriott STARS, additionally costs out at €550, which is barely decrease because the Virtuoso charge after forex conversion on the time of writing (~$538), and consists of lots of the similar advantages.

Observe that the STARS charge lists the profit as “100 USD meals and beverage credit score per keep” in the principle search display. Nonetheless, if you happen to develop the Price Particulars, you’ll see that it encompasses spa companies and leisure actions, too.

Lastly, Amex High quality Motels & Resorts costs out precisely the identical as Marriott STARS, providing a superior assured 4pm late check-out and a extra restrictive $100 (USD) meals and beverage credit score amongst its advantages.

If late check-out can be useful to you, Amex FHR could also be your finest guess; in any other case, if, say, you realize you’ll be departing early on the ultimate day and don’t want late check-out, then reserving via Marriott STARS would give you the best precedence for upgrades and probably the most versatile property credit score out of all three. 

Conclusion

Marriott STARS and Luminous are Marriott’s most popular accomplice packages, which might present nice worth at luxurious accommodations by the use of further perks and advantages. Though you possibly can solely e-book these via choose journey advisor or company, it’s going to value you a similar as reserving a versatile charge with Marriott straight.

You’ll at all times need to evaluate Marriott STARS and Luminous charges with different choices out there, in an effort to just be sure you’re getting the very best deal out there that fits your particular journey wants.

Reserving via STARS and Luminous could make sense each for travellers with Marriott Bonvoy elite standing and people with out standing, elevating the present advantages of the previous and providing easy elite-like remedy for the latter.