Starwood Lurker IV

Our annual category changes will go into effect March 6, 2018. We are sharing these changes today to give members time to plan their redemption travel and decide if they’d like to redeem their points prior to — or after — the changes take place.

This year, 276 hotels are changing categories, representing 17% of hotels participating in the SPG program. Approximately 9% are moving down one category and 8% are moving up one category

View the full list of category changes here.

Please note that category adjustments are always subject to change. While we make every attempt to provide you the latest and most accurate information, adjustments may be made at any time.

See the Marriott Rewards category changes here.

Additionally, beginning February 11th, to closer align with Marriott’s booking policies, SPG will adjust its booking window. New reservations at SPG hotels (paid + redemption) will only be available for 350 days in advance (vs. up to 550 days). Existing reservations beyond 350 days, will not be affected and can be viewed or modified on spg.com or by contacting the SPG customer contact center.

We look forward to helping answer any questions. Thank you.

Ahmed El Tagoury

Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]

sfozrhfco

Thanks, Ahmed. The changes seem pretty reasonable.

EuropeanPete

These all sound pretty fair. I was a bit nervous with the Marriott integration about to happen, but we've got at least one more year. I'm going to play the game of trying to spot interesting things:
What on earth happened to the Four Points Kolasin - from a 4 to a 1. Is it the only 1 in Europe?
The House Hotel Cappadoccia is now also a cat 1 - might be a nice place to hang for a while sometime
I'm sad to see the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and King George go up to Cat 5, but do understand the logic. I'll need to find new places when I'm just burning points to relax somewhere pleasant
Low Istanbul hotel prices have pushed the W down to a Cat 3 which makes it one of the cheapest W's out there. The W Los Vegas a Cat 4 also becomes more attractive - I personally think it's under-rated
Surprised to see Grosvenor House in Dubai go down a category. I've never liked the property, but it's always positioned itself at the top end of the SPG portfolio (more difficult now with the St Regis arrivals)
A bit disappointed to see those Great Northern Hotel in London go up to a Cat 6. It usually doesn't command Cat 6 rates, but I wonder if too many people realized that it was a great value place to stay in London

TravelinSperry

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok goes back up. Silly really since their paid rates are usually such that points wouldn't make sense.
Some European hotels are going up that seem beyond their station. (e.g., Sheraton Prague, which is not a great hotel). Of course others in Europe were expected (Westin Dublin which has high occupancy rates and high rates).
On the other hand Brooklyn aLoft going down... will make a decent redemption possibility now. As well the Westshore Grand in Tampa goes down to a 3. Based on paid rates will make for a nice redemption as well.
And always nice to see the W's in NY and Miami go down

Low Roller

Thanks for the list! I really appreciate the opportunity to plan around such changes instead of just being taken by surprise.

CPRich

I guess Montenegro isn't all that popular these days. Cat 4 to Cat 1.


Europe: Net +19

Asia: Net +8

North America: Net +7

Caribbean: Net +2

Central/South America: Net -6

Africa/ME: Net -17

UA-NYC

Most surprised at the LM Philly going down a category...I rarely see rates under $250 there and it often sells out well in advance of my 3-4 week advance bookings I make.

FlyingFrZ

Sheraton Tel Aviv going to Cat 6 is a bummer :/

CPRich

Glad I booked Westin Palace Madrid early. Not only is it going up, but free nights are already gone for our stay. I guess there are very few "Deluxe" rooms. Plenty in the 7 other categories. Some with the exact same room size/description.

UA-NYC

Me too - going in high season this summer so C&P availability was especially attractive

TimesTwo

Interesting to see the W Brisbane go from a 5 to a 4 and it isn't even open yet.

kkl

More Japan properties going up. STR Osaka cat 7. ouch!

dsquared37

LM Chiang Mai up to Cat 4? That's crazy talk.

SanDiego1K

Four Points by Sheraton San Diego is moving from a level 3 to a level 2. It's in an out of the way location, yet close to Convoy Street and the heart of San Diego's great Asian restaurants. Parking is free so for someone using a car to move around the area it's worth consideration.

RafKa

Most changes makes sense, but StR Osaka at Cat 7 is definitely a bummer.

Glad to see W New York go to Cat 5 now that the Sheraton TS (Cat 5) has a stupid destination fee. I've been consistently seeing rates starting around $150 there so it makes sense.