While 1,083 Marriott brand hotels increased in points cost for reward nights on March 6, 2018, there were also 45 hotels that dropped from category 6 to category 5 making them newly eligible for free reward night certificate redemptions. Category 6 reward nights at 30,000 points dropping to category 5 at 25,000 points is a 17% reduction in points needed for a free night. The real deal is these 45 hotels dropping to category 5 are now eligible for redeeming Marriott Rewards free night certificates.
Free night certificates were earned during Marriott Rewards MegaBonus fall 2017 promotion and Marriott Rewards Visa card members earn an anniversary free night certificate. These free reward night certificates are valid for hotels only in Marriott Rewards hotel categories 1-5.
45 Marriott Rewards hotels worldwide now eligible for free night certificate redemption as of this week.
Related Loyalty Traveler articles on 2018 hotel category changes
Analysis – Marriott Rewards category 1,083 hotels up, 248 down March 6, 2018
Marriott Rewards 2018 category changes list for 248 hotels going down March 6
Marriott Rewards 181 category 6-8 hotels going up March 6, 2018
Marriott Rewards 262 hotels category 3-4 and 185 hotels 4-5 shift March 6, 2018
Marriott Rewards 2018 changes, 88 hotels cat 1 to cat 2; 241 cat 2-3
How many hotels are in each Marriott-SPG brand? 2017 year-end count.
