Marriott would be really smart to offer choices, maybe once as a test. For example, to the average MR member, they could offer a choice between 3x-Cat 4 certs, 2x-Cat 5 certs, and a points option, and I bet they would be surprised how many people would be happy, and how much time they would save in customer service calls from members trying to switch.

If for the spring promo period, they coupled the above choice with an announcement such as "for the first time in many years, we will not be changing the program in a way that could be interpreted as a devaluation" could you imagine the good will that Marriott would engender?