Article Directory
Sonder's Marriott Meltdown: Another Bonvoy Deception?
Well, well, well. Look what we have here. Marriott and Sonder are done. Kaput. Terminated. And of course, they're blaming it on Sonder's "default." Give me a freaking break.
What exactly did Sonder do to piss off the Marriott overlords? We don't know. They're being all tight-lipped about it. "Sonder's default," they say. Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Like Sonder was running some kind of back-alley hotel operation.
Let's be real, though. Marriott's press release reads like it was written by a team of lawyers who hate fun.
"Marriott will be contacting guests who booked directly through Marriott channels...to address their reservation and booking needs."
Translation: "We'll try to help you, but no promises. And if you booked through Expedia, you're on your own, pal."
Honestly, I'm not surprised. This whole Sonder-Marriott thing always felt...off. Sonder was supposed to be this hip, affordable alternative to Marriott's usual sterile offerings. Apartment-style rentals in cool cities. Sounded good on paper.
But did it ever really fit? Nope. It's like trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. Marriott's all about consistency, predictability, and charging you $30 for a bottle of water. Sonder was...well, it was Sonder. Sometimes great, sometimes a disaster, but always a gamble. I mean, TPG's own Katie Genter checked out of a Sonder property days before the announcement. Everything seemed fine!
So what went wrong? Bankruptcy? Failure to meet "Collection Standards" whatever that means? Who knows! It's all speculation at this point. Marriott announces termination of partnership with Sonder.
The Real Losers? You, Me, and Everyone Else
The real kicker is what this means for us, the traveling public. One less way to burn those precious Bonvoy points on something other than a sad airport hotel. One less option for affordable stays in cities where Marriott usually charges an arm and a leg.
And don't even get me started on the loyalty program. Remember when loyalty programs actually meant something? Now, they're just another way for corporations to nickel and dime us while pretending to offer "exclusive benefits." Earning points, elite status...it's all a game. A game where the house always wins.
I booked a Sonder in Miami next spring using Bonvoy points. Now I gotta figure out what to do. Thanks, guys.
It's not just the points, though. It's the principle. It's the constant feeling that we're being played. That these big corporations don't actually care about us, the little guys. They care about profit margins and shareholder value. And if that means screwing over a few thousand travelers along the way, so be it. Offcourse, they won't admit that.
And let's be honest, the tourism industry as a whole is a mess. Overbooked flights, overpriced hotels, hidden fees...it's a constant battle to get what you paid for. Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky.
But wait, there's more! Marriott initially thought Sonder would help them grow their room count by 5% this year. Now they're down to 4.5%. So what are they gonna do? Build more soulless hotels on the edge of town? Great. Just what we needed.
What Happens Now?
What's next? Will other hotel chains start dumping these "alternative" accommodation providers? Will we see a return to the days of bland, cookie-cutter hotels dominating the landscape? It's possible. In fact, it feels inevitable.
Maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe Marriott had a legitimate reason to cut ties with Sonder. Maybe Sonder was a complete train wreck behind the scenes. But I doubt it. Something stinks here, and it ain't the complimentary shampoo.
So, What's the Real Story?
This ain't about "business decisions" or "contractual defaults." This is about corporate greed, broken promises, and the slow death of affordable travel. And honestly, I'm sick of it.