Starwood Announces Award Category Changes

Starwood announced award category changes earlier in the week.  In total, there are 282 hotels changing categories with 168 going up and 114 going down at least one category.  The changes will take effect March 1, 2016 so you have 10 days or so to book at the lower rate.

2016 SPG Category Changes

As a reminder, Starwood has 7 categories ranging from 2,000 to 35,000 SPG points for a free night.  To get a sense of the impact, you'll have to look at the list and map the changes to your particular travel patterns.

I tend to redeem my SPG points for higher end international hotels and unfortunately a few favorites are moving up.

Specifically, Le Meridien Bangkok is going from a category 3 to a category 4 property.  Perhaps the good news is that the St. Regis Bangkok is moving down a category which makes it a bit cheaper on points.  Perhaps we'll give it a try during our next visit.

2016 SPG Bangkok properties changing categories

The biggest impact to our travel is the Westin Riverfront in Avon going up a category (8 - 9,000 points).  I will be making a couple speculative bookings prior to the 3/1 change for the summer.  This is one of our favorite mountain properties and it was only a matter of time before it moved up.

Both the St. Regis and W in Istanbul are moving down a category.  Not shocking given the geo political climate in Turkey of late.  I was also surprised to see Le Meridien Bora Bora move down from a category 7 to a category 6.  The 10,000 point difference is significant and opens up Bora Bora to a lot more people.

How do these category changes impact your 2016 travel patterns?  Anyone else making speculative bookings?