Marriott posted today on FlyerTalk the complete list of 351 hotels moving up and 89 hotels moving down in category on March 8.

On a personal note: I sincerely thank you Marriott for releasing the full list of category changes prior to implementing the changes. A reward night increase of 5,000 points per night might not seem like a big deal, but for some members a 5,000 points per night reward increase means a free night is another $500 in hotel spend out of reach. Earning an additional 5,000 points for a reward night is a big deal for some members who may only have accumulated sufficient points for one or two hotel nights after several years of hotel stays.

I hope I didn’t burn my bridges with Marriott managers. I truly think full transparency with regard to category changes is the right action to take for a socially responsible corporation that markets the ability to earn free hotel nights through its Marriott Rewards loyalty program.

If one member benefits (not me personally since I only have 278 points)  from booking a reward this week for a hotel that will increase in cost next week, then I feel the social media efforts to move Marriott in the right direction were justified.

A big Loyalty Traveler “Thanks” to all the other voices that helped sway Marriott to release the full list of hotel reward category changes before the March 8 increase.

Now find a good hotel and book some reward nights.

Complete list of Marriott Rewards hotel category changes effective Mach 8, 2011

Related Post: February 25, 2011 – http://boardingarea.com/blogs/loyaltytraveler/2011/02/25/marriott-rewards-hotel-category-changes-march-8-2011/

Country Inn & Suites Spring Getaway & More promotion offers three bonuses for stays two-nights or longer from March 2 through April 30, 2011. Promotion Code = GETSPRIN.

Spring Getaway Bonuses for Two-night Stays at Country Inn & Suites

• 3,000 goldpoints bonus per eligible stay.
• $30 Amazon e-certificate (Gift card code will be received by email within 30 days of completing an eligible Country Inn stay. Gift card code must be activated within 30 days of email receipt to receive Amazon $30 gift card. Gift card is in US dollars for US hotel stays or Canadian dollars for Canada hotel stays.)
• $5 off coupon for $15 dining at TGI Friday’s (coupon is available at hotel check-in for U.S. hotels only).

There is no restriction posted against earning this bonus multiple times during the promotion period. The Spring Getaway rates are equivalent to Best Available Rates for hotels I checked. This rate has a flexible cancellation policy generally allowing cancellation up to day before arrival with no penalty.

Advance purchase rates were lower for every hotel I found the Spring Getaway rate. You need to compare rates and determine if the bonus value is worth the extra cost for the hotel stay compared to other lower rates.

Loyalty Traveler Rate Analysis

Country Inn & Suites San Carlos, California

Monday March 14 – Wednesday March 16, 2011

Spring Getaway Rate = $139/night for King Bed guest room. Cancel up to day before arrival.

24 hour sale rate, Save 25% = $104.25/night for King Bed. Prepaid, nonrefundable rate.

In this example the additional cost for the Spring Getaway rate offer is over $70 after tax. That pretty much negates the promotional value of the Spring Getaway bonuses.

Country Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport South

Monday March 14 – Wednesday March 16, 2011

Spring Getaway Rate = $79/night Guest room, cancel up to day before arrival.

7-day advance purchase = $58.67/night for King Bed. Prepaid, nonrefundable.

Advance purchase rate is $45.95 less than Spring Getaway rate after tax. The Spring Getaway offer might be worthwhile for the more flexible cancellation policy and the bonuses with the Spring Getaway package.

Link: Country Inn & Suites Spring Getaway and More promotion