Got my new Marriott package today. Not impressed at all.

1. The 150 point Hertz bonus for rentals in conjunction with Marriott Hotel stays is gone as of April 1, 1999 (following the elimination of the airline bonus on the same date). The 500 (or 1000 point) bonus at Hertz is still available.
2. AA has been added as a redemption partner. You can now transfer points to AA miles and can also claim flight awards on AA from Marriott.
3. NO inflation on almost all awards. Of course, after eliminating the bonuses, the effect is the same.
4. More properties requiring Choice awards (more points).
5. Fewer published blackout dates, but a note that any individual property may blackout additional dates. This is a sneeky way of actually increasing the number of dates on which you can't claim awards. I guess individual properties can now blackout whatever they want. I tried to claim an award at a Courtyard in Charlotte Memorial Day weekend and was told they were blacked out the entire weekend due to an auto race at the Speedway. This never happened in the past. In fact, the previously limited blackout dates is one of the main things that set Marriott apart from Hilton. Major negative!
6. Effective 3/31/99 cannot earn points at any Ritz-Carlton.
7. Eliminated CounterPoints program with UA and BA.

Starwood is looking better everyday!