Alright, let's get this straight. Marriott and Sonder are done. Kaput. Finito. And, offcourse, it's the Bonvoy members who end up holding the bag.

The "Default" Heard 'Round the Hotel Industry

So, Marriott drops this bomb that their partnership with Sonder is over due to "Sonder's default." Default? What the hell does that even mean? Did Sonder forget to pay their electric bill? Did they accidentally use Marriott's corporate letterhead to endorse a rival hotel chain? We're left guessing here, because, naturally, Marriott isn't about to spill the tea.

They do say they're "prioritizing supporting guests." Right. That's corporate speak for "we'll get around to dealing with your mess... eventually."

And the timing! Just as people are actually starting to use their Bonvoy points for these "urban apartment-style accommodations," the rug gets pulled out from under them. You know, I'm starting to think that Bonvoy should be renamed Bon-voyage-to-your-points-because-they're-probably-worthless.

Katie Genter over at TPG checked out of a Sonder property literally days before this announcement. Got her points and elite night credits, though. Lucky her. Everyone else? Good luck navigating Marriott's customer service. It's like trying to get a straight answer out of a politician.

Sonder's Sinking Ship

Let's be real, Sonder's been circling the drain for a while now. They postponed their shareholder meeting, they're trying to cut deals with creditors... the writing was on the wall. Marriott probably saw the financial iceberg ahead and decided to jump ship before it went down with Sonder.

The article mentions that Sonder entered into a loan agreement with Marriott, and one of the default triggers was Sonder failing to raise $32.5 million by November 15th. So, did they miss the mark? We don't know for sure. But it sure looks like Sonder couldn't raise the cash.

I mean, their own SEC filing flagged "substantial doubt" about their ability to even stay in business. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it? Their CEO bailed in June, and their portfolio shrank by almost 20%. That's like a reverse Midas touch – everything they touch turns to crap.

They basically tried to be WeWork for hotels, with all the same high fixed lease costs and variable demand issues. It's a recipe for disaster.

And what about that 20-year licensing deal Marriott signed with Sonder? Yeah, that lasted barely a year. Talk about buyer's remorse. As [View From The Wing reports](https://viewfromthewing.com/marriott-abruptly-kills-20-year-sonder-partnership-bonvoy-members-pay-the-price/), Marriott abruptly killed the deal.

Bonvoyed Again

Here's the kicker: Marriott promises Bonvoy points and benefits, but when things go south, they conveniently forget about those promises. "We'll contact guests with reservations," they say. Great, so you'll maybe get a canned email offering you a slightly worse hotel room three miles further away from where you wanted to be.

It's always the same song and dance with these loyalty programs. They lure you in with the promise of rewards, then they change the rules, devalue the points, or just outright screw you over. It's like a casino – the house always wins.

But wait, are we really surprised? This is Marriott we're talking about. They're not exactly known for their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. They're a giant corporation, and their primary goal is to make money, not to make you happy.

So, What's the Real Story?

Honestly, it's just another reminder that loyalty programs are a scam. They're designed to benefit the companies, not the customers. So next time Marriott waves those shiny Bonvoy points in your face, remember the Sonder debacle. And maybe book directly with a local hotel instead. You'll probably get a better deal anyway.