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Marriott and Starwood recently announced category changes to their hotels for 2017. Every hotel is assigned a category level within the rewards program which dictates how many points per night it will cost to stay at a given property. The new categories and associated rates take effect March 7, 2017. Any bookings make before this date, regardless of when you stay, will price at the current levels, and starting on March 7, 2017, you'll pay the updated rates.
We tend to hold our breath each year when changes are released as we almost expect some drastic changes that eliminate significant value from the program. However, these updates from Marriott and Starwood don't look too bad. Overall there is some good news and some bad news for everyone depending on your favorite properties, as some have gone up in price some have gone down. While Marriott does own Starwood, the programs are currently running completely independent of one another; thus, there are two different lists.
Changes to Starwood Properties
The changes have affected 325 properties in the Starwood family of hotels. Across all the changes 37% of the hotels have gone up in category making them more expensive, while 63% of the properties have gone down in category making price out less when it comes to a redemption. Although most of the hotels have moved one category in either direction, there are a few who have jumped two categories. Some of the properties changing categories in the Starwood list include:
- The St. Regis Doha-Qatar: moves from a Category 6 to a Category 5
- The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho-Japan: moves from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- The Park Central San Francisco: drops from a Category 6 to Category 5
- Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront-US: jumps from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- La Posada de Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa: increases from a Category 4 to Category 5
- Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas (SSR): reduces from a Category 6 to Category 5
- Le Méridien Bora Bora: hops from a Category 6 to Category 7
While the changes will be disappointing for some and good news for others, there are some sweet moves. One of the highlights is the drop in category of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas, which are located in a prime family Ski resort. Ultimately most people will take comfort that at least some of their favorite properties have not changed at all.
Changes to Marriott Properties
The 2017 Marriott Property Category changes affect some hotels significantly, as they increase from a category 5, which takes them out of the first level of Marriott’s Air + Hotel Package. Overall 23% of Marriott’s properties have changed. The Most frequent Marriott Rewards travelers will be happy that 60% have gone down in category, with only 40% having their category increased. Some of the properties moving include:
- Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center: stepping up from a Category 5 to a Category 6
- Stone Mountain Inn: dipping from a Category 6 to a Category 5
- Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel: increasing from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- Venezuela Marriott Hotel Playa Grande: dropping from a Category 6 to a Category 5
- Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at The Mayflower: raised from a Category 7 to a Category 8
- Renaissance Santiago: slipping from a Category 6 to a Category 5
- Fairfield Inn Moab: jumping from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- Renaissance Sao Paulo: dipping from a Category 6 to a Category 5
While some changes to Marriott hotels do have a significant impact since they affect the Air + Hotel Package, they don’t represent a huge shift in the program overall, since all the changes only impact 23% of Marriott properties.
Summary
Whether these changes are good or bad, is entirely subjective depending on your personal travel plans and your favorite hotels. One thing you need to remember though is that the changes don’t come into effect until March 7, 2017. You can book award space with Starwood almost 18 months (550 days) in advance and just under a year (353 days) with Marriott. So, if your property is going up in category, you still have a while to secure a booking and lock in a lower rate price. What's your take on the award charge changes?
Source: Mommy Points
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Bummer that categories are changing but I guess it’s good that we can book far in advance under the current category. I originally came to explore the blogs in hopes to earn the 5 bonus AAdvanrage miles so I can postpone the mileage expiration… I’m so glad I found this blog since we’re active Starwood members.
good to know, thanks for the post !
Just got a message by Awardwallet – my marriott and spg points will expire! Oh no!
Like: how could i keep them active, if no stay is planned?
There are a bunch of ways: https://awardwallet.com/blog/do-marriott-points-expire/ — you could also go to an SPG hotel, have a drink at the bar, supply your SPG number and that would help keep SPG points alive.
I find it interesting that in some cities a Fairfield Inn is considered a high category–I guess it depends on demand and rack rate, not only on amentities.
Thanks for the update list. Love Starwood rewards. Hopefully the lower categories will be beneficial for many travelers.
Hmm..I’m not seeing the Coronado CA Marriott on the list so let’s hope it stays put (it’s already a category 8). It costs 40,000 points a night as it is. Pricey but such a nice and fun property to stay at. On the sweet island of Coronado. I love this place. Home of the West Coast Navy Seals! You can walk anywhere on the island from this hotel and there’s a lot of restaurants and, of course, the Hotel Del Coronado, for awesome sight-seeing and sunset hangouts!
Thank you for the tip! 1place to add to my future plans!!!
I’ll have to go through the list but overall I’m hoping the lower categories will help
I am not fond of their “category change”, it’s usually a large step down. The Residence Inn in our town used to be cat. 4 few years ago and that was reasonable, now it’s category 6, and I just do not think it deserves to be in that category.
As long St. Regis Mauritius is not on here, I am good
Glad most have gone down in category
Love SPG category change. Better for redemption in China. Meanwhile, Marriott increased almost all hotels in Shanghai. Too bad. I used to stay in Marriott in downtown Shanghai for just 10k.
I do love these 2 guys have combined. It has been so easy to move points back and forth.
No St. Regis Mauritius so I’m good
Thanks for the heads up on locking in the lower pricing!
Does Starwood’s offer annual bonuses to members?
Love Starwood’s rewards! As always, thanks for keeping us in the know. Love having so much info right at our fingertips!
The downgrades make sense as the hotels get older or since foreign currencies generally have weakened vs the dollar since last year, don’t really get why some go up in value.
Ed, the category rankings of properties tie directly to the average daily rate charged for that property. As prices go up, so does the category and as they drop, so do the number of points required.
I think they’re overall fair in this case. And they’ve given us warning, so we can either hold off until a property is lowered before booking, or book now for those that are rising.
You missed the Renaissance Curacao going from 5 to 6. I had my eye on that one for a Caribbean holiday on a Travel Package.
I dont have that many points in Marriott for this to matter.
With the merger I knew there would be realigned of categories
Very nice to see so many hotels go down in category!
Personally, I am so glad these two companies combined to make one great program. Some changes are to be expected every year, but these ones aren’t too bad.
Good to know. Hoping our next hotel stay is less expensive.
Good to know that we have until March to complete any bookings!
It’s nice that we can book now at old rate and stay later even when new rate is in play.