After reading this I called th platinum desk multiple times. After 2 straight nos the 3rd agent called her supervisor who approved a 1x exception from the 3 cat 4 to the 2 cat 5s. It will be manual tracking She said (which has worked fine for me in the past).
Thanks to contributors here!! I would not have tried without the comments!
JR

That's exactly why I switched to Cat5, because it requires the least number of nights before I am leaving Marriott due to this recent point devaluation.

I am platinum. Called ans asked to be switched from the points. I was offered 1-4 certs. I asked for the 1-5 and was told it was not possible. I asked for a supervisor who eventually got on the phone and explained that "she would lose her job" if she switched me to 1-5 as they are targeted only. Will try again tomorrow and interested if my account will be flaggd. I was courteous but forceful in letting them know of my displeasure in the cat changes.

That would be far more useful. Has anyone done that for the current promo?

I think that some have been able to do that as I recall some have done this in the past. I don't see why they won't offer you a point promotion as that one is more geared to their guests who spend many nights with them.

Did you see my earlier post about MR offering choices? I don't understand why Marriott seems to seek out and endure constant kvetching! It is almost like when they design these promos they give little or no consideration to building truly good customer relations.

Today, Hilton announced expansion to TEN awards categories, and also seasonal differences for points redemptions (something Marriott does not yet have), as well as elites get fifth night free after four awards nights (something Marriott has had for at least two years already). Did anyone else get the e-mail from Hhonors today?

I tried 3 times to change from the 15 nights / 25k points, 20 nights / 40k points offer to the cat 1-4 or cat 1-5 offer. Was refused 3 times by MR.

Taking into account the devaluation, have decided it's just not worth the hassle and have now cancelled 14 nights at Marriott for this quarter. Shifting to SPG and / or Hilton where possible and expect this pattern to hold for the remainder of the year. MR is just not a competitive program for me anymore.

We actually do offer seasonal rewards, in addition to our PointSaver awards. For more information, please visit the following link:

https://www.marriott.com/marriott-re...sonalAwards.mi

Best Regards,

Drew

Thanks Drew.

Is Marriott upper management aware of the extreme unhappiness among many of the most loyal and frequent guests and elite members, many of whom are cancelling their Marriott reservations and credit cards and moving to other hotel programs? I am an extremely loyal Marriott Plat member (since 1994 or 1995), and have NEVER had real status with other hotel chains, and I am actually considering moving my business to Hilton or SPG. I would guess that Marriott has already lost many millions of dollars of future, previously consistent revenue, with the current changes to MR, coupled with the other devaluations to MR and the elite benefits taken away over the last few years. I am one of the most loyal people there is, and to cause me to consider other chains is really noteworthy. Just as a comparison, I was top status with US Airways for 23 years before they ran me off in 2008, and I have been with the same cellular carrier since 1990, and hate changing. For me, and for many others, the changes have to be either really huge or really insulting to get me to change, and I do not do it easily, but Marriott has accomplished this huge insult this year, finally. For me, I am actually feeling that Marriott is abusing my good will and loyalty, and I say this from an upgraded suite in a Renaissance Hotel. What reaction does Marriott upper management have to the extreme dissatisfaction among their elite membership to the current and recent changes to MR and elite programs?

I, and others I am sure, look forward to your diligent and sincere reply!

Thanks,

USirritated

Your response should be directed to Ed French, not Marriott Concierge

Cheers.

The reply would be the same -- no reply.

If Marriott Concierge is monitoring this thread, and replying to postings about seasonal awards and similar, don't you think that someone will see my above posting about the devaluation and pass it on to whoever should see it? As long as it is seen by someone up the line, does it really matter who the posting is actually directed to? Also, does Ed French have a FlyerTalk handle? If he does, then I would be happy to address a complaint/question to him, but if he doesn't, then how could I direct a complaint/question to him on FlyerTalk?

Via a Private Message to the Marriott Concierge.

Wait, let me get this right. Are you saying that if I send the message that I sent, and do not include "Ed French" in the message, that it will not get to him, and not get responded to, but if I do include "Ed French" in the message that it will get to him, and make a response more likely?