Guess you guys don't get out much past Iowa & Oklahoma, as there are some nice int'l properties that are Cat 5

Also, as others have mentioned there are other occasions when they can come in handy. Large events such as Kentucky Derby, Sturgis, big football games, etc, when lower cat properties go for big $$. Or airport properties on unexpected stays or before or after early/late departures. A few years ago O'Hare shut down for 2-1/2 days & I was stuck in LA. The LAX Ren was going for $279/night, so it was a good use of the certs & saved me personal $$.

If I'm reading the Marriott website correctly, there are

Cat 1 - 293 properties
Cat 2 - 796 properties
Cat 3 - 991 properties
Cat 4 - 716 properties
Cat 5 - 530 properties

Somewhere in all those properties there are a few that are worth staying at

I think what happens is most folk want the downtown properties to be Cat 5s when they're not, & thus say the cert is 'no good'.

Cheers.