In addition to the 200+ Starwood hotels changing categories, there are many Marriott hotels changing as well. Unfortunately though, there are way more hotels going up a category then down – a negative change overall. 21% of their hotels will be moving up a category and 5% will be moving down. These changes will go into affect on March 6, 2018, so you have until then to make any reservations at the current rate. 
While you can check out all the hotels changing categories, here are some notable ones to pay attention to:
Categories going up a category:
- Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection – moving from category 8 to 9
- JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes – moving from category 7 to 8
- JW Marriott Washington, DC – moving from category 8 to 9
- Marriott Marquis Washington, DC – moving from category 7 to 8
- Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge – moving from category 8 to 9
- Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa – moving from category 8 to 9
- Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel – moving from category 8 to 9
- Salt Lake City Marriott University Park – moving from category 5 to 6
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis – moving from category 8 to 9
- Savannah Marriott Riverfront – moving from category 7 to 8
- The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club – moving from category 7 to 8
- Washington Marriott Georgetown – moving from category 7 to 8
- Washington Marriott Wardman Park – moving from category 6 to 7
- Marriott Vacation Club at Surfers Paradise – moving from category 7 to 8
- Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa – moving from category 7 to 8
- Atlantis, Coral Towers, Autograph Collection – moving from category 7 to 8
- Courtyard Bridgetown, Barbados – moving from category 5 to 6
- The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection – moving from category 5 to 6
- El Mangroove, Autograph Collection – moving from category 7 to 8
- JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa – moving from category 7 to 8
- Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino – moving from category 6 to 7
- Amsterdam Marriott Hotel – moving from a category 8 to 9
- Lisbon Marriott Hotel – moving from category 5 to 6
- JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa  – moving from category 7 to 8
- Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa  – moving from category 7 to 8
And there really aren’t too many “notable” hotels going down a category. Although I would definitely pay attention to the hotels that are moving up from a category 5 to a category 6 as well as those moving down from a category 6 to a category 5. The reason is because the free night certificate that comes with the Marriott credit card as well as many of their MegaBonus promotions are capped at a category 5 hotel. So if you are looking to use one of those free night certificates and the hotel is moving out of the category 1-5 zone, make sure to look in that reservation now. There also might be new hotels entering that category 1-5 zone (moving down from a category 6), where you can use your free night certificate post March 6th.
Personally, there are no properties going up a category that I had my eye on, so no need to lock in the lower points rate now. But if there is a hotel you were looking to stay at, make sure to book by March 6th!
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I can tell from a few of these locations I have stayed at in the past that the annual free night is getting harder to use for me.
It looks like when the AF comes up the Marriott card is gone. It’s always been a bit of a forced use for me anyway.
@Carl P – I agree. The number of hotels available are getting less and less. With that being said, every year I do find a use for it. And if I cannot find a use someone in my family can. So I do not yet feel forced, but I can see it going that way eventually.
Cat 5 has been dead for spots you want to be for vacation for a while. It’s really moving now to cat 5 is dead for vaguely near places you want to be. For example Seattle – south center and Renton are Seattle adjacent but have no other positive values. South center I would even call a sketchy location. Same for a bunch of vaguely Boston spots and SoCal spots on the list. Uses of 5s are now really limited. For me eastern Washington has some of sea but even then I can stay in Spokane on a weekend at most Davenports but vale is limited – advanced purchase of 10x vs the card fee. Marginal. A little better for tricities but I might hold for one more cert but it’s only when I now cancel not if.
@bfc – I agree, although I am always able to find a place to use it every year. And the hotel would cost $125+ otherwise so keeping the card is worth it for me, for now at least. But definitely not as good as it used to be!