You are very wise.

In response to the 2 specific "downgrades" listed up-thread:

- Elimination of check-cashing: I've never used this, nor had any cause to do so. I don't know anyone who has. I use credit and debit cards. Could this be going away because few people use the service?

- Elimination of WSJ: Though it is my preferred paper and is listed as such in my profile, I seldom receive it even at those properties that have a subscription for it (and apparently, not all of them do as I've been to many that did not have a single WSJ anywhere in sight)

Can't speak to the rest, but it does strike me as rather hysterical...

cheers!

I'm with Dillman and Pinniped, as well as AAUpgrade.

Dillman, your post was a riot. At first, I thought that you were actually agreeing with the OP stating the Sky is Falling, but then I got to the rest of your post. Phew! ^

Having turned my attention to this matter in the last several days, I have given this some more thought and of course, I am not overly joyed at the change, as it does represent change and many of us just like things to remain the same rather than dealing with a whole new rewards structure.

Having said that, Marriott is just the latest to adopt a relatively black-out free awards schedule.

SPG pioneered this concept and Hilton adopted this last year.

Now, Marriott is replicating the Stay 4 get 1 Free offer that SPG offers and Hilton, in its own way, offers something comparable -- the AXON reduced 4 night stay award for those holding the HHonors AMEX. Now, any HHonors member worth their salt would have that card as it is fee free, comes with a generous point bonus for first use, has good multiples for points for non-Hilton hotel stays, and permits you to get that 4 night stay award at a discounted rate.

In all, then, all of the big players have demonstrated a convergence in their awards programs, albeit with some differences that demonstrate that one should certainly be a member of more than one awards program, given the differences in locations and travel patterns one might have.

So, the sky is not falling, in point of fact, it is stabilizing.

I agree the sky is not falling but its closer to the ground than it was a year ago; I'm not sure I'd agree with stabalizing either

on that note; I am adapting my travel plans for 2009 forward and its directly in response to the recent changes by Marriott

This is what I have always done at the end of each year. I agree that all programs are fluid and change over time, so it makes sense to look at your options. This year due to a lot of factors, I have also changed my travel plans and am going with SPG as my primary and Marriott as my secondary. Next year, who knows. I'll look at things again at the end of this year.

Ah... so Marriott is basically a marketing company.

You know, I kind of feel that about the economy. I think as the economy goes, so goes Marriott,