Imagine discovering a luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel that stands apart from the rest—not just in opulence, but in its complete exclusion from the Marriott Bonvoy program. Yes, you read that right! While many Marriott-affiliated properties often fall short in honoring Bonvoy elite benefits, the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore takes it a step further by opting out entirely. This 608-room gem in Singapore is the only Ritz-Carlton in the world that doesn’t participate in Marriott Bonvoy, and it’s a detail that often catches travelers off guard. But here's where it gets controversial: despite this, the hotel is still bookable through Marriott’s channels, leaving many to wonder why Marriott continues to promote it without offering any Bonvoy perks.
A quick visit to the hotel’s website (https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/sinrz-the-ritz-carlton-millenia-singapore/overview/) confirms this unique stance with a subtle disclaimer: ‘Kindly note that our hotel does not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy Program.’ This means no earning or redeeming Bonvoy points, and no elite benefits—a stark contrast to what most travelers expect from a Marriott-affiliated property. However, the hotel does participate in Marriott STARS, a program offering exclusive perks for luxury stays booked through a travel advisor (https://onemileatatime.com/guides/marriott-stars-luminous/).
And this is the part most people miss: The irony lies in Marriott’s business model. Unlike traditional hotel ownership, Marriott primarily operates as a franchisor, and the only real differentiator between its website and an online travel agency like Expedia is the ability to earn and redeem points—an advantage that vanishes at the Ritz-Carlton Singapore. Historically, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties (https://onemileatatime.com/guides/ritz-carlton-reserve/) also avoided Bonvoy, but they’ve since joined the program. The only other Marriott-affiliated brand still holding out is BVLGARI (https://onemileatatime.com/guides/bvlgari-hotels-resorts/), though its properties remain bookable through Marriott.
So, what’s the story behind the Ritz-Carlton Singapore’s Bonvoy boycott? It dates back to 1996, when the hotel opened its doors long before Ritz-Carlton even had a loyalty program. When Ritz-Carlton Rewards launched in 2010, hotels could choose whether to participate. Most did, but the Ritz-Carlton Singapore and its Osaka counterpart opted out. Osaka eventually joined, leaving Singapore as the lone holdout. Even after Marriott Bonvoy merged Ritz-Carlton Rewards with Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest, the Singapore property clung to its legacy contract, refusing to budge.
This raises some intriguing questions. Is Marriott doing a disservice to its loyal members by promoting a hotel that offers no Bonvoy benefits? Is this a smart business move for the Ritz-Carlton Singapore, or are they missing out on the marketing power of a loyalty program? And how many guests book this hotel without realizing it’s Bonvoy-free? What’s your take? Do you think the Ritz-Carlton Singapore is getting the best of both worlds, or is this a missed opportunity for both the hotel and Marriott? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!
