There're only about 2 weeks left before the two programs combine. It appears unlikely that we'll get any clarification on TPs before then. There're three explanations for this:

1) Marriott plans to screw the certificate holders but doesn't want to affect the sale of discounted SPG points;
2) Marriott plans to be generous to the existing certificate holders but doesn't want people rush to buy discounted SPG points and redeem them for TPs;
3) Marriott has genuine IT issues that they're unsure whether their plan for the TPs (conversion to point-based certificates, etc.) can be implemented in time.

Given these uncertainties, what are you going to do in the next two weeks?

Absolutely it would if attached certificates are honoured and unattached certificates are cancelled for their 45K residual value.

James

If Marriott is going to screw you by cancelling your floater certificate and refunding the minimum number of points, I'm certain you'll get an advance notice and a period of time to attach your certificate. It would be unconscionable and legally indefensible otherwise.

On the other hand, if you know where you're going to use the certificate and/or the number of points required are going up in August, you should attach it now to avoid potential issues as we approach August.

Okay, so I decided to play the game. Pretty low risk if you ask me. I transferred 90K of my SPG stash to Marriott for 270K to redeem for 120K AA (which I have a specific use for -- F Apartment redemption on EY) plus a 7-night Category 1-5 "floater" certificate of unknown prognosis. I value my 90K SPG the same as 120K AA anyhow, so whatever the 7-night certificate turns into is bonus. The only tradeoff was that I was holding onto an SPG stash (like everyone I'm sure) in hopes of the very unlikely event that the St Regis Maldives will be bookable for 20K SPG/60K Marriott per night beginning August 1. But I figured that the odds of that are low enough (or rather, the odds of my successfully redeeming points for a room there on dates I want are so low that) I was better off playing the Travel Package game.

Calling to redeem was a joke. First, as indicated on the Travel Packages web page, I called 800-321-7396. After 10 minutes of wading through menus and waiting on hold, I get a guy who has no idea what I'm talking about. I repeat, "I want to redeem my Marriott points for a travel package, for American Airlines miles and a 7-night hotel stay." He says "I don't have that stuff so uh, I'm gonna have to connect you to the travel agency rate people, they can help you out." I say, "Um, just to make sure, you know this has nothing to do with a travel agency, right?" And he says, "uh, yeah sir I understand, you want to resume...redoom... you want to redoom for travel agent packets. One moment." He had a normal American accent. Just sounded like an aloof pizza delivery man. Is this normal?!

So I get transferred but there's no hold music (weird), I just leave it on speakerphone and 10 minutes of silence later someone answers and thankfully he immediately knows what I'm talking about. "Which airline and how many miles?" he asks, "AA and 120K" I respond. Category? 1-5. That'll cost 270,000. Great.

He then asks for my Marriott number, I give it to him. He says my name, I say yeah. He asks for my AA number, I give it to him. And that's it (!!!) It's ordered. No verification of anything. What the heck?

Anyhow, glad it went through but boy what a weird call experience.

Did you miss the word "if" in his post?

This experience is apparently not unusual lately. Lots of Marriott agents are in training to prepare for the upcoming changes. Fewer and inexperienced agents are in their places.

After the new program takes effect, we don't know we can still upgrade/downgrade 7N certificates. Even if the certificate remains category-based and we can upgrade, it will cost a lot more points (downgrade is more likely not allowed in that scenario). For 5N certificates, historically Marriott doesn't check your TS ownership again, but there's no guarantee it won't going forward if upgrade/downgrade is still allowed.

So I were you, I would get the category of certificate that I'd likely use before August 1 and not count on upgrade/downgrade afterwards.

They own the program and make the rules I guess. I even spoke with the Chairmans office or whatever its called and they could not help as they put it simply that I was not entitled to it.

This was my second 5 night award if that makes any difference.