I appreciate the promotions and always register, even if I don't have any planned stays at the time of registration,

Likely been mentioned before, but the number of points required for a stay has increased significantly. Properties I used to stay, even when the cash/points decision was very close, now have outrageous redemptions; even those in small town USA, off season.

Marriott's promotions, however, have not kept up with the inflated redemption values. It seems to me that, and I suppose I could verify with some research, that the 1000/2000 point bonuses, are just the same as prior to this variable redemption scheme, i.e. no increases for the bonuses. For example, prior to dynamic pricing, I'd earn enough points after 10 nights at a mid or full level property, with bonuses, to redeem at least a night at a higher end property. Today, by some rough math, it would be 30+ nights, before I can earn enough for a night at a higher end property.

And before someone says, 'go somewhere else if you don't like it', Hilton is no better, In fact, for my travels, and YMMV, Hilton is worse.

YMMV...