The new website is incredibly slick! I love it.

In terms of the biggest changes that I see for IC members:

1. Suites are specifically excluded in the room upgrade, which would be a massive devaluation, if true. This alone would probably kill the program from my perspective, although I somehow doubt that they would gut the suite upgrades, which were the #1 competitive advantage of pre-Karma IC (dare we call it pre-K vs. post-K for pre v. post Karma?)
2. Inner Circle requalification drops to 14 stays, but increases to 40 nights
3. the Welcome Amenity T&C is changed slightly, removing the reference to 'two' and sticking with the simpler 'favorite snack and beverage.' Unclear if this is status quo, or an improvement, or a devaluation
4. Late check-out priority is written into the benefits. This was never a problem for me before, but nice to see it there.
5. GREATER REWARD AVAILABILITY!!!! HALLELUJAH!!! This would be huge. I'm interested in what it means.
6. VIP restaurant reservations. This is useful to me, as I've frequently had mix-ups on the Chef's Treat through the normal channels.

Net-net, I think the two important questions are: has the unwritten policy of best room (regular suites included; speciality suites typically excluded) upgrade changed? How does increased award night availability work?

I'll be in Dallas later this month. Planning to stay at the Fairmont, but I could switch to one of the Kimpton properties. I'll keep an eye out for early reports to see how IC members are reporting the immediate changes (if any).