I am staying at the Renaissance in Malmo in May for Eurovision using Cat 1-4s. I cannot believe it is changing to a 5. I hate when properties don't have lounges and get away with high categories (cough...Rome). IMHO European lounges are excellent and I try to avoid staying at props without them (especially given the high cost of everything there). I definitely would choose the Marriott in Copenhagen just for the lounge if the Ren Malmo becomes a 5. It would be a way better use of points to pay the extra 10K points a night for a decent lounge and bigger rooms.

I really hope the next megabonus offers cat. 1-5.

The current megabonus offers cat 1-5.

Then you should call MR and tell them that, and ask for a different Mega Bonus offer for that period. Ask MR what MB offers are available for that period, and then ask for the one which fits you (and the places you typically travel) best, and you will probably be switched to something more suitable.

(emphasis mine)

If you are referring to the Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora, that is a very specific case. RMGHF it is an historic (and small, 135 room) hotel, and dedicating space to an executive lounge would detract from the historic nature of hotel itself and would significantly reduce the revenue stream since the hotel is almost always booked full.

The Marriott Copenhagen is approximately 46 kilometers/29 miles away from the Renaissance Malmo. Is the lounge really so important that traveling that distance twice daily (if your original intended destination is Sweden for Eurovision or any specific purpose, and not Denmark) would be really worthwhile?

The current Mega Bonus already has a cat. 1-5 option, at least for some people, why not call MR and ask whether they will give you that option?

The megabonus being bumped to Cat 1-5 is what just stopped me from switching to Hyatt as my main program. I have to make a decision fast on my old stay certs though.

I currently have 0 nights credit to the spring megabonus.

The whole BOGO deal and not the massive point devaluation ticked me off.

On the current megabonus, I received a cat 1-4 cert.

For some. Not me.

So? As has been stated many times on this thread, by me, and by others, if you do not like the Mega Bonus promo you received, then call MR and ask for the one you do want!

From asking around it seems that Europe is getting the cat 1-5 MegaBonus offers mostly, likely due to the lower saturation of properties.

Yes, European members do seem to be the original target for the Cat. 1-5 certificates promo, as has been discussed in this thread. But it has also been discussed that some of the posters to this thread, who do not have European addresses, have been allowed to change their Mega Bonus promos to Cat. 1-5 certs.

Marriott seems to be either cutting back or eliminating the allowance where they would change which megabonus you have.

Not sure where you got that information. There have been many reports of people changing. There were also reports of some people being rebuffed, but there were relatively few of those, and some of those were encouraged to call back, and met with success the second or third time calling. In other words, telephone roulette does apply.

I was told that a note was made in my account and to call back on 4/30 and they would make the switch then.

I just got my first certificate and was surprised to see it's a Cat 4. I'm Gold. Has anyone been successful in having their certificates upped from 4s to 5s by calling and trying? Within the next month I'll pick up the other two certificates so it would be great if it's possible to get changed to 5s. If I'm reading the posts correctly, some people are getting 5s and others (like me) are getting 4s?