2020 Category Changes : effective March 4, 2020
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#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,257
2020 Category Changes : effective March 4, 2020
22% Increasing! No wonder Hyatt is stingy with status matches. They can be.
https://onemileatatime.com/marriott-...-changes-2020/
https://onemileatatime.com/marriott-...-changes-2020/
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,257
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, PC Platinum, Club Carlson Silver, Marriott Platinum, TK Gold
Posts: 1,438
Kicker cert users - I did not go through the entire list but it seems there is no more category 5 in Manhattan.
Oh well, I'm glad I'll use of my points this year and move on.
Oh well, I'm glad I'll use of my points this year and move on.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP, BA Silver, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,956
Some of the changes are actually quite reasonable. StR Singapore dropping to Cat6. W HK going back to Cat7 where it belongs.
The changes in Japan are brutal. CY Tokyo station moves to Cat6 and Westin Tokyo to Cat7, both of which I would say are unwarranted and basically designed to screw over people using the CC certs.
I’m surprised they didn’t preemptively change mesm Tokyo to Cat7 even though it hasn’t opened. If the Westin is there, it’s only a matter of time.
Westin Kyoto moves to Cat6 which is unfortunate but not unreasonable given the cash rates.
StR BKK which was an anticipated increase has not changed. Still a terrific value at Cat5. Langkawi properties also remain similarly good value.
The changes in Japan are brutal. CY Tokyo station moves to Cat6 and Westin Tokyo to Cat7, both of which I would say are unwarranted and basically designed to screw over people using the CC certs.
I’m surprised they didn’t preemptively change mesm Tokyo to Cat7 even though it hasn’t opened. If the Westin is there, it’s only a matter of time.
Westin Kyoto moves to Cat6 which is unfortunate but not unreasonable given the cash rates.
StR BKK which was an anticipated increase has not changed. Still a terrific value at Cat5. Langkawi properties also remain similarly good value.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, AC 50K, Hyatt Ist-iest, Starriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,360
Looks like nearly everything in Mexico City is going up a category, both Budapest properties going up.
At least this will make it easier for me to burn down my point stash this year.
At least this will make it easier for me to burn down my point stash this year.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 13,956
OMAAT says 22% up, 7% down, so about 3:1 ratio to the increase side.
But as is all too common with category changes, the ones going up are the ones where you'd want to vacation.
For example, search for "beach USA", and 36 of those are changing. 33 up, 3 down. so 11:1.
Search for "resort USA", and it's 27 up, 2 down, so about 13:1.
But as is all too common with category changes, the ones going up are the ones where you'd want to vacation.
For example, search for "beach USA", and 36 of those are changing. 33 up, 3 down. so 11:1.
Search for "resort USA", and it's 27 up, 2 down, so about 13:1.
#10
Company Representative, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 488
Category Changes Coming March 4
Today, as part of our annual review of hotel categories we’re announcing the 2020 category changes and an update related to inventory controls for the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels.
Below is a breakdown of what is changing.
Category Changes
This year’s category changes will take effect on March 4 giving our members a month’s advance notice to make informed decisions about redeeming their points for stays. Access the complete list of hotels for each redemption category and learn more here.
Across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels:
· 71% will remain unchanged while 29% will be affected by the 2020 annual category change process with 7% of hotels decreasing in points needed for a free night and 22% are increasing.
· Most of the 2020 annual category change movement (84%) takes place between categories 1-5 for a standard redemption stay.
In the next month, take a look at your upcoming stays to see if you should lock in rates now (make sure to attach a certificate to your stay), or redeem after March 4 at some great hotels that are moving down in category, like JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach or W Aspen.
Inventory Controls
Every hotel participating in our travel program offers members standard rooms for award redemptions every day of the year. However, during the busiest times of the year, participating hotels may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption, but only for a predetermined number of days annually.
Previously, only some hotel brands had access to inventory controls. This tool will be extended to all hotels beginning today. With this modification we’ve also added restrictions. The number of days hotels can use inventory controls is being reduced. This will result in fewer days in total subject to inventory controls portfolio-wide in 2020 compared to 2019. This change will have no impact on stays that are already booked.
We look forward to helping answer any questions you may have.
Below is a breakdown of what is changing.
Category Changes
This year’s category changes will take effect on March 4 giving our members a month’s advance notice to make informed decisions about redeeming their points for stays. Access the complete list of hotels for each redemption category and learn more here.
Across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels:
· 71% will remain unchanged while 29% will be affected by the 2020 annual category change process with 7% of hotels decreasing in points needed for a free night and 22% are increasing.
· Most of the 2020 annual category change movement (84%) takes place between categories 1-5 for a standard redemption stay.
In the next month, take a look at your upcoming stays to see if you should lock in rates now (make sure to attach a certificate to your stay), or redeem after March 4 at some great hotels that are moving down in category, like JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach or W Aspen.
Inventory Controls
Every hotel participating in our travel program offers members standard rooms for award redemptions every day of the year. However, during the busiest times of the year, participating hotels may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption, but only for a predetermined number of days annually.
Previously, only some hotel brands had access to inventory controls. This tool will be extended to all hotels beginning today. With this modification we’ve also added restrictions. The number of days hotels can use inventory controls is being reduced. This will result in fewer days in total subject to inventory controls portfolio-wide in 2020 compared to 2019. This change will have no impact on stays that are already booked.
We look forward to helping answer any questions you may have.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 116
Today, as part of our annual review of hotel categories we’re announcing the 2020 category changes and an update related to inventory controls for the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels.
Below is a breakdown of what is changing.
Category Changes
This year’s category changes will take effect on March 4 giving our members a month’s advance notice to make informed decisions about redeeming their points for stays. Access the complete list of hotels for each redemption category and learn more here.
Across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels:
· 71% will remain unchanged while 29% will be affected by the 2020 annual category change process with 7% of hotels decreasing in points needed for a free night and 22% are increasing.
· Most of the 2020 annual category change movement (84%) takes place between categories 1-5 for a standard redemption stay.
In the next month, take a look at your upcoming stays to see if you should lock in rates now (make sure to attach a certificate to your stay), or redeem after March 4 at some great hotels that are moving down in category, like JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach or W Aspen.
Inventory Controls
Every hotel participating in our travel program offers members standard rooms for award redemptions every day of the year. However, during the busiest times of the year, participating hotels may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption, but only for a predetermined number of days annually.
Previously, only some hotel brands had access to inventory controls. This tool will be extended to all hotels beginning today. With this modification we’ve also added restrictions. The number of days hotels can use inventory controls is being reduced. This will result in fewer days in total subject to inventory controls portfolio-wide in 2020 compared to 2019. This change will have no impact on stays that are already booked.
We look forward to helping answer any questions you may have.
Below is a breakdown of what is changing.
Category Changes
This year’s category changes will take effect on March 4 giving our members a month’s advance notice to make informed decisions about redeeming their points for stays. Access the complete list of hotels for each redemption category and learn more here.
Across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of participating hotels:
· 71% will remain unchanged while 29% will be affected by the 2020 annual category change process with 7% of hotels decreasing in points needed for a free night and 22% are increasing.
· Most of the 2020 annual category change movement (84%) takes place between categories 1-5 for a standard redemption stay.
In the next month, take a look at your upcoming stays to see if you should lock in rates now (make sure to attach a certificate to your stay), or redeem after March 4 at some great hotels that are moving down in category, like JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach or W Aspen.
Inventory Controls
Every hotel participating in our travel program offers members standard rooms for award redemptions every day of the year. However, during the busiest times of the year, participating hotels may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption, but only for a predetermined number of days annually.
Previously, only some hotel brands had access to inventory controls. This tool will be extended to all hotels beginning today. With this modification we’ve also added restrictions. The number of days hotels can use inventory controls is being reduced. This will result in fewer days in total subject to inventory controls portfolio-wide in 2020 compared to 2019. This change will have no impact on stays that are already booked.
We look forward to helping answer any questions you may have.
Appalling, disgraceful. Shame on you Bonvoy!
Last edited by yulsee; Feb 5, 20 at 10:40 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,257
#15
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, LH Silver, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, Hyatt Disc, PC Plat, CC Gold
Posts: 4,446
Marriott just won the race to the bottom! I’m sure there will be lots of posts by the usual people excusing the continued bad news out of Marriott. NYC is taking a hit and as mentioned above I think this increase just about kills all the hotels we could use credit card free nights at that were not in downtown, Brooklyn or LI.