Tomorrow is the big day. The day you’ve been reading about on this blog and every other single travel, points, and miles blog. August 18th is the day that the Marriott and Starwood loyalty program are merging and when everything we once new is fully changing! While there are many things changing such as status, benefits, travel packages, etc., the main change is how you will redeem your points. A new combined award chart will be rolled out where all Marriott and Starwood hotels will be given a new hotel category.
With this new award chart and the new hotel categories, hotels will cost more or less points starting tomorrow. Of course if you have a stay that will require less points in the future, this is a win. But for those that are looking to stay at a hotel that is going UP in points, you’ll want to make sure to book that stay TODAY! As long as you make your reservation PRIOR to the migration date (tonight at midnight), all future award stays will stick with the old chart. With that being said, if you need to change your reservation after August 18th, the new award chart will be used. If you are looking or a Disney World or Ski vacation, make sure to book those vacations now as well because almost all of those hotels are going UP in points! You can check out the new award chart here to see if the hotel you are looking to stay at will require more or less points. 
If you have enough points in your Starwood account, just make as many reservations as you think you might have and cancel later – as long as there is a flexible cancelation policy. With Marriott, they actually allow you to make reservations even if you do not have the points currently in your account! You just need to earn them prior to your stay.
Where will you be making a hotel reservation today with your points?
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