it would be interesting (but probably impossible) to see what the distribution and range numbers are for

nights year for silver, gold , plat
redemptions by nights, packages

high night people have more option, especially if they stay in primary markets. If you stay in secondary markets sometimes there are less options

Now, and after such drastic devaluation, I really don't care about earning MR points through stays. I was absolutely loyal to Marriott at all worldwide locations but during my last trip I got awesome deals at a Fairmont, a Hyatt Regency and a Swissotel in Miami and Chicago thanks to Travelzoo.com. I paid less than $119 per night at all three properties while Marriott's rates more than doubled that cost. My honeymoon with Marriott ended.

I know what you mean. A couple of weeks ago I was at the Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris and the lounge was filled with Americans. I felt like I was in "any big city USA", and hated it.

By contrast, I also stayed at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe as well, and chatted at length with a couple from Nigeria and a salesman from Delhi, and absolutely loved it.

Go over to the Cairo Marriott on the Nile. While eating an evening snack in the CL, I struck up a conversation with the Estonian Ambassador. ^ So if your looking for some decent crowds and they not be Americans, they are out there.

This is definitely the time to look at the awards Marriott currently has (7 nighters, Hoppers, etc) and try to make the best use before the change. Since I have used 4 TP awards within the past 18 months or so plus a very nice RC award stay, my wife's and my accounts together have just over 150K points. And I'm trying to figure out how best to use up those points before the change.

As for me and the rest of this year, about a month ago I sent SPG an elite comp request to Plat. SPG has a nice 20 nights in 3 months gets you a 25K bonus and I've been pursuing that for the 4th quarter. I'll probably look at SPG being my main hotel chain and Marriott being my backup starting next year. I don't need the night credits any more as I've reached the LT Plat milestones. Before this devaluation, I had planned to stay with Marriott. But now, I'm going to try SPG and see how their program works for me. I know some have stated that HH has its own issues, but there is a very nice Homestead Suites hotel close to where I will be traveling most of next year, so I may try it out as well.

Quite frankly I was very skeptical about SPG last year and actually posted about it on the SPG forum. Oh boy how wrong I was....

The upgrades as SPG PLT will be very good compared to crappy CL rooms you get as Marriott Platinum. Also because of all the promos you WILL earn much more compared to Marriott.

I know for sure that you will be very satisfied.

at what point can I start booking Xmas holidays on MR for 2009? Will I be able too before 1/15

I've had about 7 or 8 stays at the Sheraton NY Hotel and Towers as an SPG PLT, and I have not gotten any upgrades beyond a CL room.

When your company is losing one of its best revenue customers and one of its strongest supporters.Mr. French,Mr. Marriott reconsider this move.It will be bad for your company,bad for the customers who have been most loyal to Marriott throughout the years,and is chasing away new Marriott Rewards members.

It looks like you can book ~11 months out. So it appears that Xmas 2009 will be out of reach until after the 'enhancements' take effect.

thats what I was afraid of.. maybe I'll just have to have a sweet thanksgiving instead

Maybe you should book another SPG property there or have a word with customer service.

Right now @ LM CNX in a nice suite. Going to SGS in BKK in few hours where Grande Suite is already waiting. Life couldn't be better on the SPG side.

To each his own I guess. The only SPG brands that appeals to me are aLoft (I seem to be in the minority here) and W Hotels (there are so few of them) so I'll stick to Marriott as my primary choice.

If you do like aLoft and W there is nothing even closely comparable that Marriott has to offer. Just makes me wonder. (BTW I din't like aLoft at all)

Yeah that's the only time I stay with Starwood is when I can stay at one of those, but as noted, W's aren't located in a lot of places so it limits where I can stay. Tried Sheraton, the Sweet Sleeper sucks. Westin beds are nice but no lounge turns me off from them. Le Meridien and Luxury Collection hotels give me too much crap because of my age.

depends where you travel - no grand suites in Grand Rapids. Big cities in foreign lands means lots of choices. Traveling to MI - whole 'nother story

btw - love Helsinki, been there a few times