I tried 3 times to change from the 15 nights / 25k points, 20 nights / 40k points offer to the cat 1-4 or cat 1-5 offer. Was refused 3 times by MR.

Taking into account the devaluation, have decided it's just not worth the hassle and have now cancelled 14 nights at Marriott for this quarter. Shifting to SPG and / or Hilton where possible and expect this pattern to hold for the remainder of the year. MR is just not a competitive program for me anymore.