Marriott and Starwood Change Frequency Program Requirements for Free Nights

In the first major change since Marriott acquired Starwood, the two companies are raising the number of frequent-traveler points it will cost to get a free room night for some hotels.

Some hotels will be bumped up to a higher category, which increases the amount of points required for free nights. At Marriott, 18% of hotels are changing category. Of those changing, 30% are decreasing by one category and 70% are increasing by one category.

In all, 114 Starwood hotels will move down a category, while 168 will move up.