Preview 2016 hotel category changes
Mar 28, 2016, 1:10 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Just called and turned my two unused Cat 1-5 certs (one from my Marriott CC, the other from the spring megabonus) into 25k points/each. Worthless trying to use at a cat 1-5 property. Not looking to stay at a SHS in some way far out location...
Mar 28, 2016, 3:02 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 378
Which number did you call to get this to happen? They haven't been receptive to doing this for me, although I agree with what you said.
Mar 28, 2016, 4:39 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Called the customer service line and had to bump my way up to a few supervisors while constantly b*tching about how worthless these are and finally one of them said "There, I cancelled your certificates and deposited 50k points into your account. Happy?" Real friendly customer service! ha This after a few agents saying there was no way to turn them into points, extend them or book any property which was a cat 5 until a week ago (which was what I was originally trying to get them to do...)
Mar 28, 2016, 7:13 pm
#64
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
Called the customer service line and had to bump my way up to a few supervisors while constantly b*tching about how worthless these are and finally one of them said "There, I cancelled your certificates and deposited 50k points into your account. Happy?" Real friendly customer service! ha This after a few agents saying there was no way to turn them into points, extend them or book any property which was a cat 5 until a week ago (which was what I was originally trying to get them to do...)
Mar 30, 2016, 5:09 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 142
I just called. Strike out #1. Girl was reading from a script. She said CC and Mega bonus nights cannot be exchanged. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was advised I was wasting their time and would receive the same answer.
Mar 31, 2016, 3:15 pm
#66
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
03/28/16 Bonus GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT 50,000 points
03/28/16 Reward PREMIER VISA ANNIV CAT 1-5 HOTELS 0 points Ordered
03/28/16 Reward SPRING MB 2016 (CAT 1-5) 0 points Ordered
Mar 31, 2016, 4:12 pm
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego
Programs: Delta PLAT, Marriot Plat, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, A couple of other airlines - pee on
Posts: 623
I like that some of the Canadian hotels went down. The Calgary airport hotels are awesome and now down to cat 3. Score!
Apr 1, 2016, 4:41 am
#68
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK & MKE
Programs: Amex-gold, Hainan-gold, Mrt-LT Titanium
Posts: 1,352
Apr 2, 2016, 8:04 pm
#69
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 81
Agghhh I totally missed this! I had enough points and an cat 4 e-cert for 6 nights at a residence inn in the lax area in May. Now I won't be able to use my expiring e-cert and will have to shed some $. *go cries in corner*
Apr 2, 2016, 8:33 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
You hadn't already booked the stay? If you booked before 3/24 it is still good.
Apr 3, 2016, 1:46 pm
#71
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
"GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT" a.k.a. "Courtesy Adjustment" are English for British Airways' Latin term "Ex Gratia." Remember that 'un from last year's security lockdown 
? Correct Classical Latin pronunciation is "ex grah-TEE-ah," accepted Modern English is "ex GRAY-shuh."
? Correct Classical Latin pronunciation is "ex grah-TEE-ah," accepted Modern English is "ex GRAY-shuh."
Apr 4, 2016, 12:47 am
#72
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 81
Apr 4, 2016, 3:53 am
#73
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Does anybody have a record of the dates of previous devaluations? IIRC they usually take effect in March, but there was just one year when MR waited until May.
Apr 4, 2016, 4:52 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
At least several years it was mid May, that might have been the standard before last year and this years annual devaluation, why the move except for greed...
Apr 4, 2016, 6:05 am
#75
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
2009 - Announced May 11 last day to book old categories Jul 16
2010 - Announced Feb 24 last day to book old categories Mar 8
2011 - Announced Feb 24 last day to book old categories Mar 8
2012 - Announced Feb 27 last day to book old categories Mar 15
2013 - Announced Feb 11 last day to book old categories May 16
2014 - Announced Mar 18 last day to book old categories Apr 8
2015 - Announced Feb 25 last day to book old categories Mar 18
2016 - Announced Feb 18 last day to book old categories Mar 24
2010 - Announced Feb 24 last day to book old categories Mar 8
2011 - Announced Feb 24 last day to book old categories Mar 8
2012 - Announced Feb 27 last day to book old categories Mar 15
2013 - Announced Feb 11 last day to book old categories May 16
2014 - Announced Mar 18 last day to book old categories Apr 8
2015 - Announced Feb 25 last day to book old categories Mar 18
2016 - Announced Feb 18 last day to book old categories Mar 24
Last edited by aaupgrade; Apr 4, 2016 at 6:26 am Reason: Added more info