I used to say the same but with the latest devaluation in redemptions it became much harder to use 35k certificates even at standard mid tier properties. I watched a hotel that used to consistently be in the 40k range go up to 50k (the max it can be to use the certificate), then to 58k, back down to 55k, jumping to 66k and today is 68k, all of which are out of range for 35k cert. It's bizarre when you don't know what to expect and if you'll be able to even use that certificate at places you were easily able to do so in the past.

Yes, there will most likely alway be a TownePlace Suites, or Fairfield, or Springhill, or Courtyard somewhere out there to use the certificate at but not everyone is going to the places that has them and thus will find it much more difficult to use those certificates going forward.

Therefore, sometimes it makes sense just to cancel rather than have an unused certificate at expiration and go through the frustration of being denied an extension by Marriott and losing the certificate.