Anyone surprised that the hotel industry has the nerve to devalue points in the middle of a recession/depression? This is a totally out of control industry that still continues to charge more than $100 a night at every middle of nowhere hotel even those located in the middle of a filling station. The hotel scam (facilitated- sorry by business travellers who don't usually care if they are being ripped off). There are hefty redemption requirements, usually 2 or 3 hotels in the whole world in their lowest category, and a constant erosion of point value, and plenty of multi star "franchise in name only" dumps.
If anyone thinks that people are making empty threats, I was able to go from 30 nights a year at Marriott to none-I couldn't bear the bait and switch even though it was my employer that was being scammed. Now I no longer travel much and when I do the Red Roof Inn is usually fine.
As a leisure traveller, I have found the airlines to almost always be a great bargain.
The hotel folks remind me of the Sopranos- I won't even start about the double billing, charges I never made, sneaky fees, interent charges at $250 hotels, etec.