Originally Posted by pinniped

Not only this, but they've designed the program such that the value is at the high and low ends, with the middle often being the worst value of all.

I'd also suggest that there are a *lot* of Bonvoy Cat 6's now that wouldn't have been worthy of anything above a SPG Cat 3 or maybe a 4 on a good day. There are a lot of rather run-of-the-mill 6's out there now.

Former Starwood 5's and up were nearly always excellent hotels. Occasional dud in a high-cost city but not as many as there are boring/bland Bonvoy 6's.