so far my money is with aaupgrade. None of this is a Marriott conspiracy - they are changing the program with advance notice - don't like it go some place else. all the programs have good and bad points, everyone has to choose based on their travel.. what works for international will not work for domestic. what to only redeem on international rewards? I dont know maybe SPG is better. along the way you DO have to stay in a hotel, and for that I think that Marriot offers a very consistant product

What does it mean to me - I will be taking 5 night reward stays instead of 7 which i have been doing anyway for the last few years.

My guess is that the overwhelming majority of MR members are not overwhelmed with the changes. Points are not fine wines that are laid into a cellar for some future use (I have 1 mio points and now they are useless!! OMG!!!!) You know that the points will become less valuable in time - 2-3 years on average. Use them while you can