I have been thinking about this as I have now accumulated quite a few points. There has been some devaluation this year, but at least it hasn't been too drastic, and unlike one other major program that shares the initials of "politically correct" drastic devaluations were not done overnight without warning. Ideally, I'd like to not ever see such a major devaluation of my MR points.

At the very least, I would like for Marriott to at least give enough warning about future changes so that their loyal customers have enough time to make decisions as to whether they need to act more quickly to use some of those hard earned points.

It would be great to see a pledge by Marriott that they will indeed give some kind of heads up if and when they decide to make any major changes in Marriott Rewards in the future.

Oh, yeah and if anyone else has some more suggestions for how I can use my points, please post here:
GrizShel's Request for Package Stay Recommendations

We have already been informed by the (sort of) official Marriott representative here that there are no major changes in the offing at present. Changes to the Stay Anytime points have already happened, admittedly without a whole lot of warning, but at least there was some.

For them to pull a major restructuring after "officially" assuring us it wouldn't happen would not be in their best interests at all.

Our Friend in Pasadena will probably disagree with me.

I would also be surprised if there were any additional major changes for 2007. I remember Chris saying that they will give more warning for major changes, unlike what happened with the category changes this March.

If past history is any guide, I do not expect Marriott to make large devaluations, unless they decide to get rid of the travel packages. That would be a major loss. Gradual devaluations will keep occurring as the supply of points and room rates keep increasing.

One thing I have noticed is that Marriott is putting more materials in hotels to get people to sign up for Marriott Rewards. At the Fairview Park Marriott, they have a placard about the rewards program by the elevators on the 16th floor. They also have more materials on the rewards program at the front desk. The placement of additional material has occurred in the past two months or so.

Now that would be a major devaluation in my book. The packages are the awards that are most attractive to me, and a major factor in turning me into a loyal Marriott customer. Please don't touch these Marriott!

Your good friend in lovely Pasadena does NOT disagree with you at all!If Marriott pulled another stunt like the ones they have already pulled off(done in a very underhanded way-thief in the night sort of thing-just the sort of nasty PR headache that most companies try to avoid((but not the dunderheaded marketing chimps at Marriott))so as to keep goodwill amogst their best customers)earlier this year would not be in their best interest.Indeed not!

So nice when we can all agree on something

If they tried this I would never spend another cent at a Marriott property!