Marriott and SPG Category Changes

Post last modified:September 5, 2023
Post author:Katie Seemann

Marriott and SPG Category Changes Announced

Every year, we see hotels adjust their properties’ award categories. Today, both Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest announced the hotels that would be on that list. All of these changes will go into effect on March 7, 2017 so you have a little time to plan if there is a property on the list that you wanted to book. If you book before March 7 you can still take advantage of the current category! There are a few Marriott properties that I have my eye on for my Hotel + Air Package that are moving up a category – so I need to make some quick decisions in order to avoid paying the higher point prices.

The Renaissance Curacao is moving up to a Category 6 requiring 30,000 points per night!

Starwood Perferred Guest

This year 325 properties will be changing category. Surprisingly, more than half are moving down a category so this is actually good news. For a full list of each property that is changing categories visit the SPG Website.

Here are some notable changes:

Le Meridien Bora Bora: Moving from a category 6 to the highest category 7.
Four Points By Sheraton Havana: This property is moving from a category 6 down to a category 5. This isn’t surprising after all the news about airlines scaling back their flights to Cuba.

Four Points By Sheraton Havana will be moving down to a category 5 requiring 12,000-16,000 points per night.

Marriott Rewards

Marriott/Ritz Carlton will be adjusting the category level of over 1,000 properties! Unfortunately, 60% of these are moving up in category. For a full list of all category changes visit the Marriott website.

Here are some of the notable changes:

- Renaissance Phoenix Downtown: This property is moving from a category 5 to 6. This was a tremendous value as a category 5 as rooms routinely cost over $300 per night. The Marriott Rewards Credit Card comes with a free night in a category 1-5 and this was a great way to get lots of value from it.
- Renaissance Curacao: This property is also moving from a Category 5 to 6. This is one of the places I was considering for my Hotel + Air package because it was a pretty nice place for a category 5.
- JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa: Moving up to a category 9. I stayed at this property in January for our family vacation and I can definitely see the justification of a category 9. It’s a beautiful property – definitely check it out if you are planning a trip to Cancun.