I don't know how long that text has been there, but this is the frist time I've seen it. I wonder how much of an effect this has had (or will have) on upgrades.

I'm not sure it will have a large effect on most of my stays (i.e. most NA Marriotts really only have a few room types (i.e. normal, CL level, and suites). I would think an upgrade to a CL level room would still be as much the norm as it has been (and suites weren't normally a part of the equation anyway.) But I still feel this is a watering-down of benefits.