Originally Posted by Delta3MM

Unfortunately Marriott just downgraded the hotel portion of air/hotel awards so that if you return only the hotel portion, you get far fewer points than you used to.

So, I'd keep the cerftificate alive for a year, renew and try and use it even if only for a 3 day stay or so, you'd come out ahead. Of course, if you can use the whole 7 days stay, even the better.

Keeping the certificate alive keeps your options open, once you turn the certificate back in, it's gone and you get very few points back...

Billy