Originally Posted by
joeags
I can't remember the exact terms, but this is close to the proper wording: You can click on view booking on the web, then click edit room, and then click update - this will give you the option to select how you want to "pay" for the room.
I believe that the lurker is saying that you can replace the points with a certificate if the cert works at that point in time. It wouldn't work if the hotel category goes up and the cert doesn't cover it. That's how I interpret the process...
So to be very explicit, I interpret Christina's response to mean it doesn't protect you if the hotel category goes up. Furthermore, I would expect the whole reservation if it is for more than one night, to be re-priced at the new category level for the entire stay. One or more nights you might cover with certificates depending on how many you have available and remainder at the new higher points level.
TL;DR Your hedge won't work if you swap to a certificate after the hotel category has gone up. Best to pick the stays you are most likely to keep and attach your free night certificate(s) to them now.
--Jon