Marriott Ends Sonder Deal, Bookings Removed Immediately

Published on Nov 10, 2025, 3:00 pm CST

3 min read

Key points

Marriott ended its licensing agreement with Sonder effective immediately, citing Sonder's default
Sonder properties vanished from Marriott Bonvoy and cannot be newly booked through Marriott channels
Marriott says it will contact and assist guests who booked Sonder through its platforms
Guests who booked via online travel agencies must work with the OTA for changes or refunds
The 2024 deal had paid Marriott royalties based on Sonder's gross room revenue

Impact

If You Booked Through Marriott: Watch email and app messages from Marriott for rebooking or refunds, then confirm your new hotel before travel
If You Booked Through An OTA: Contact the agency directly to change or cancel, keep confirmation numbers and screenshots handy
Elite Benefits: Do not expect Bonvoy benefits at Sonder, move stays to a Marriott brand if status credit matters
Corporate Travel: Update approved hotel lists where Sonder appeared under Marriott, advise travelers of policy exceptions
On Arrival This Week: Have a same-day backup plan in the destination city, especially for longer apartment-style stays

Marriott International terminated its licensing agreement with apartment-style operator Sonder effective November 9, 2025, citing "Sonder's default." With the move, Sonder listings disappeared from Marriott Bonvoy channels, and new bookings through Marriott distribution are no longer possible. Marriott says its first priority is to support guests who are already in residence or who hold upcoming reservations made through Marriott platforms, and it will contact those customers directly with options. Travelers who booked through online travel agencies must work with the agency.

What changed for travelers

The Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy platform launched in 2024 as a long-term licensing arrangement that added apartment-style inventory into Marriott's ecosystem for earn, burn, and elite recognition. Sunday's termination severs that affiliation. If you have a confirmation that originated on Marriott channels, expect outreach for refunds or rebooking into Marriott brands. If your reservation came through an online travel agency, Marriott will not manage the case, and you should initiate changes with the agency.

Latest developments

Marriott disclosed the termination on November 9, 2025, attributing it to a default by Sonder but without detailing the circumstances. Financial press coverage notes that Sonder has been under prolonged balance-sheet pressure, including a steep decline in market capitalization over the last year. As part of the original 2024 arrangement, Marriott collected royalties tied to Sonder's gross room revenue, and it had previously guided to modest net rooms growth that factored in Sonder inventory. With the agreement now ended, Marriott has removed Sonder units from its systems and has directed impacted guests to customer service resources.

Background

A licensing agreement is different from ownership or a classic franchise. Sonder supplied and operated the apartment-style units, while Marriott provided brand affiliation and distribution, plus loyalty program integration. Under the 2024 terms, Marriott earned a royalty percentage on Sonder's gross room revenue rather than managing the properties. Sonder, founded in 2014, reports roughly 9,000 units across more than 40 cities globally. Its October 2025 quarterly disclosure showed continuing losses, which framed the risk backdrop that preceded Sunday's termination.

What to do now

Travelers should take five steps. First, confirm the origin of your booking, Marriott versus an online travel agency, since that determines who must fix the reservation. Second, if you expect Bonvoy points or benefits from a Sonder stay booked before the cutoff, assume those will not post and move the stay to a Marriott brand if status credit matters. Third, if your itinerary depends on apartment-style layouts or kitchens, line up an alternative early, since same-week inventory tightens quickly in major cities. Fourth, save documentation, including rate screenshots and email confirmations, in case you need a fare difference refund or travel insurance claim. Fifth, corporate travel managers should remove Sonder from Marriott-affiliated lists and notify travelers about policy exceptions for rebooking comparable lodging.

Final thoughts

This is a clean break. Marriott has ended the Sonder deal, and travelers should plan as if the affiliation never existed. If you are holding a Sonder confirmation from Marriott channels, wait for Marriott outreach, then lock in a replacement reservation quickly. The primary takeaway for future planning is simple, book directly with the supplier that will ultimately service the stay, and keep a same-city backup when apartment-style space is mission critical.