The upgrade cap is theory. The properties are not obligated to upgrade you two categrories into a presidential but there was no any obligation to do so before. But they still can and do. Under the old regime you were entitled to "a" suite. This did not require any exclusions. Under the new regime you are entitled to a strict two category upgrade. This requires strict exclusions. In 2018 i have 12 IC nights year to date and 7 of these were spend with upgrades to "excluded" suites, one with a three category upgrade and four with a generous suite upgrade (for small cash) on an award stay over NYE (cash price was 3k USD, I paid 600k plus points). I cannot complain and got the feeling, the programme got better and more predictable. Happy to be renewed.