Introducing the all-new Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous Program

Marriott's New STARS and Marriott Luminous Travel Advisor Program
Many people aren't aware of these types of programs, but Marriott offers a special program reserved for a select few travel agencies/advisors that offers great value-added benefits and amenities for guests that can't be secured on your own.  Even if you have elite status with Marriott, STARS and Luminous perks can go above and beyond elite benefits and provide great value for your next stay.

The Family Travel Guy is a Virtuoso affiliated Travel Advisor and is also able to offer STARS and Luminous benefits to clients staying at certain Marriott brands.

Learn more below about Marriott STARS and Luminous brands and the value-added amenities you can receive for your next trip! 

What is Marriott STARS?
I previously wrote about the old Ritz Carlton STARS program, but the new Marriott STARS Program replaces not only the old Ritz Carlton STARS Program but it also is a replacement for the Starwood Luxury Privileges Programs, as Starwood is now a part of Marriott.

The STARS program offers awesome amenities and service that would be hard to come by on your own, unless you have high enough status within the hotel loyalty program.  But even then, the STARS program can go above and beyond those perks.  In other words, for the same price (or similar price) you'd book a hotel or resort stay at an eligible Marriott property on your own via their website or through an online travel agency like Expedia or Priceline, you could get so much more by booking through a STARS affiliated Travel Advisor like The Family Travel Guy.

Marriott STARS Brands:

• Ritz-Carlton
• Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• St. Regis
• The Luxury Collection
• Bvlgari 
• Edition 

The STARS program offers these exclusive benefits when booking an eligible rate through an eligible travel advisor: 

• Complimentary Breakfast
• Full or continental breakfast (hotel's choice), at venue designated by hotel, for up to 2 guests per room.
• Welcome Amenity and Note from the GM
• Complimentary customized welcome amenity, activity or service
• Hotel Credit
• A one-time hotel credit per stay valued at $100 USD (hotel to specify where).
• Complimentary basic Wi-Fi.
• Early check-in/late check-out, when available.
• First priority for requested room category, bed type, rollaways and connecting rooms.
• Upgrade if available at time of check in.
• Welcome note from the STARS agency and advisor.

There are also benefits that travel advisors can utilize including access to property sales with rapid response times and other benefits.

What is Marriott Luminous?
The Marriott Luminous program provides great benefiots and amenities at expanded hotels and resorts within the Marriott portfolio.

Luminous brands include:

• Westin 
• Marriott
• W Hotels
• JW Marriott
• Autograph Collection Hotels
• Le Meridien
• Renaissance Hotels
• Tribute Portfolio

The Luminous program offers these exclusive benefits when booking an eligible rate through an eligible travel advisor: 

• Complimentary Breakfast - continental or full breakfast for two.
• Personalized Welcome Note - note from the GM recognizing VIP status achieved by bokkig through a STARS/Lumious travel advisor 
• Welcome Amenity - a personalized welcome amenity that reflects the personality of the hotel and the destination.
• Complimentary Room Upgrade - a VIP upgrade to the next room category, upon availability.
• Early check-in/late check-out, based on availability.
• Enhanced amenity at select hotels of a $100 hotel/resort credit 
• Complimentary basic Wi-Fi

Most Marriott STARS properties are typically also affiliated with Virtuoso Travel (offers similar value-added benefits), but not all of them.  By incorporating more brands into the STARS program and adding a second-tier Luminous program, there are even more properties available that offer guests great value-added amenities and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What rates qualify for Marriott STARS and Luminous?

• In most cases, the “Best Available Rate”, (B.A.R.) needs to be booked in order to gain these benefits.  You can't combine or use other discounted rates or use points to book your stay.
• Sometimes there may be special STARS or Luminous offers that can provide tremendous value for your stay (Examples may include upgrade at time of booking, free night benefits (3rd, 4th night free,  etc, bonus hotel/resort credit or other special offers)

Is there a minimum stay requirement?

• There is no minimum stay required for Marriott STARS or Luminous reservations.

Do you earn Marriott Bonvoy points for Marriott STARS and Luminous Rates?

• Yes - Marriott STARS and Luminous reservations are booked directly with Marriott and you will earn and receive all elite benefits when booking. 

Is Marriott STARS and Luminous similar to having Marriott Platinum or Titanium Elite Status? 

• Yes - but without the requirements needed for elite status!  If you don't travel extensively for business or leisure and can't reach the requirements needed for Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you can book a Marriott STARS or Luminous rate and make yourself a VIP!  Virtuoso benefits are very similar and work in a similar fashion.

Do you earn Marriott Bonvoy points on these stays?

• Yes, all Marriott STARS and Luminous bookings are considered “qualifying” for the purposes of earning points, elite credits, and more. These count the same as any other stay booked directly with Marriott.

Are these rates combinable with other consortia or programs?

• All of the benefits for both STARS and Luminous will only be granted by booking the respective rate codes that are tied to the BAR rate, they are not combinable with any other consortia or programs.

Is STARS and Luminous mandatory for all hotels in the member brands?

• No - STARS and Luminous hotels that are not able to support the amenities due to their particular market conditions are allowed to opt-out of the program or not participate in the enhanced Luminous benefits.

The Family Travel Guy:

If you're planning a trip to a Marriott STARS or Luminous hotel/resort, be sure to send me a message for quotes, travel tips, special promotions available and more!

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook or Email me to learn more!

Virtuoso travel advisors have global connections to make your trip better. When you check in, you’re a VIP and can expect exclusive amenities such as room upgrade on arrival, daily breakfast, resort credits, early check-in/late checkout, spa treatment credits, special Virtuoso experiences and more!

I have access to Virtuoso hotel amenities as a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, Marriott STARS, Marriott Luminous, Hyatt Prive (coming soon!), and other great deals available from wholesale travel suppliers such as Pleasant Holidays, Journese, Blue Sky Tours, Travel Impressions, and many more!

Related Posts:
Here is a sampling of some great Marriott STARS and Luminous hotels/resorts:
Review: The St. Regis Rome
Review: The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Exclusive Virtuoso Amenities at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
Exclusive Virtuoso Amenities at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
Every 4th Night Free at the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort!
Review: London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
A Look at San Francisco 'Starwood Luxury Privileges' Hotels
Review: W San Francisco
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Napa Valley
The US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego
Review: Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Review: Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
Review: Westin Maui Resort and Spa
Review: Ritz Carlton Kapalua
Review: Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe