christianj

I think this is worth a thread on it's own instead of being buried in the PEAK awards thread since it likely is going to impact a LOT of people.

Everyone needs to be aware that their 35k free night certificates that they get with the various credit cards will be worth much less with the implementation of the PEAK awards! Currently we can book a Cat. 5 hotel standard award with the certificates. Under the new Peak/Non-Peak awards plan being implemented on Sept. 14, members holding these certificates will only be able to book a Cat. 4 hotel with these certificates during PEAK times. During Non-Peak and Standard times, we will continue to be able to book Cat. 5 hotels with the free night certificates.

Examples:
- In NYC this elimates 50 properties alone from the certificate redemptions during PEAK awards! (leaving us with ONLY 13 hotels left to pick from and all of the option are either Downtown, Financial District, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island options )
- In a city like Chicago, this eliminates 19 properties for the redemption of a 35k free night certificate during PEAK times. Basically gets rid of all the good properties!
Eliminates the following which is a big hit:
JW Marriott Chicago
W City Center
RI Chicago Downtown/Loop
The Blackstone
Renaissance DT
Westin River North
Hotel Chicago DT
SHS Downtown/River North
RI Downtown/River North
The Gwen
Sheraton Grand
Marriott DT Mag. Mile
CY DT Mag. Mile
Hotel EMC2
W Lakeshore
Westin Mich. Ave.
Marriott Marquis
Marriott Medical Dist/UIC
The Robey