Marriott Rewards announced their 2012 hotel category changes a little over a week after SPG’s announcement. As with Starwood, more hotels will be going up a category compared to those that are going down, although the majority of properties will be staying in the same category as last year. Approximately three percent of Marriott Rewards properties (100 hotels) will be decreasing by one category and will require fewer points, while 15 percent (526 hotels) will be moving up one category. The majority, around 82 percent, will remain the same. If you have already booked a hotel that has moved down a category, you can call Marriott Rewards customer support at (801) 468-4000 and adjust your reservation to receive a refund of the point difference. You can view the list of hotels that changed a category at http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?6236

A few hotels that moved down from a category 5 to a category 4 include the SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld and Miami Airport Marriott. Moving up from a category 7 to a category 8 are the Boston Marriott Long Wharf; Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotels and Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel. Hotels moving from a category 4 to a category 5 include the Courtyard Ann Arbor and Oakland Marriott City Center.