I actually didnt think the new policy would impact me much. Work and pleasure travel do not change often. I can think of two times in 10 years did I need to cancel after 6pm day of arrival. (Due to flight issues.) Plat line helped in both cases to have any fees waived.

However, this past week I was forced to another chain. We were flying back to the US on Monday through JFK. Not sure about the weather there. Cathay put us up at the Radisson Monday. I wasn't sure if we would get out Tuesday. Normally, I would have reserved a Marriott property knowing I could cancel if plans changed. Not this time. We wouldn't know until day of if we could travel.

Everything worked out. We rented a car and drove home.

I get they don't like last min. changes. I don't either. But, the ability to utilize that feature steers me sometimes to a brand that has it. It was actually a weird feeling. I started to reserve and then thought "Oh, i can't do that anymore...."