Marriott and Starwood 2018 Category Changes

Yesterday the Marriott and Starwood 2018 category changes came out.  And, man, there’s a lot of changes this year!

Every year, most loyalty programs make adjustments to their redemption rates.  Sometimes these changes aren’t so bad, but at other times, the changes can be shocking.  And now we know this annual shakeup has in for, for 2018.

Changes

For 2018, Marriott Rewards will see an award category change at 26% of its properties.  That’s 1,330 hotels and resorts that’ll see their category increased or decreased this year.  And of those 1,330 properties, 81% of them, or 1,077, will be jumping up a category, while the remaining 253 properties will move down a category.  On the Starwood side of things, 276 properties will be changing categories, with 145 of them moving up, and 131 moving down.

Aside from being far more limited than Marriott’s changes, Starwood’s changes aren’t so bad.  There aren’t a ton of aspirational properties moving up, and the ratio of those moving up versus moving down is pretty good.  That being said, there are some properties that are jumping more than one category.  The Four Points by Sheraton Niagra Falls View, for example, is jumping from category 2 to category 4.

Marriott, on the other hand, has a massive number of properties moving up a category.  Most of these hotels are ones located in big cities and aren’t all necessarily full-service brands.  For example, two Courtyards in Seattle are moving up from category 7 to category 8.  And the fabulous Renaissance New York Midtown is moving up to category 9!

Hawaii

Here in Hawaii, most properties between the two programs are staying put.  The only property experiencing a change in category is the Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport, which is going from category 7 to 8.  And yes, that will be an airport, non-beach property in Hawaii that’s in category 8.  Why?  Because the Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport is popular with both Hawaii residents and out-of-state visitors alike. It may be a cookie cutter, limited service property near the airport and across the street from a Costco, but its location is a big selling point.  That’s because this Courtyard is located in the center of the island, making adventures up to Haleakala, Kula, or even out to Hana that much shorter.

In fact, if you’re going to do sunrise atop Haleakala, I’d suggest you stay at the Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport the night before.  That’s what Mrs. Island Miler and I did back in 2014.  After all, from the Courtyard to Haleakala Summit, you’re looking at a 37-mile drive, which should take about an hour and 20 minutes.  Stay at the Andaz Maui and that changes to 51 miles and 1 hour and 35 minutes.  From the Sheraton Maui in Ka’anapali… I’d call you crazy.  That’s a 63-mile drive and will take two hours.

Marriott and Starwood 2018 Category Changes, Final Thoughts

The annual award chart adjustment is something I’m sure we all dread.  And while Marriott did some significant damage this year, all is not lost.  Especially for those saving points for a Hawaiian vacation, rest assured that, for the most part, those categories aren’t changing this year.  If, however, your travel plans will be affected by the changes, be sure to book your award stay by March 6, 2018, to lock-in the old rate.  To view the full list, go here for Marriott, and here for Starwood.