Every year, Starwood Hotels reshuffles their hotel category list. This year a bit over 20% of hotels are changing category, of the 20% that are changing category, 56% are 
moving down and 44% are moving up.
Note that is a preliminary list of category changes, there may be still be adjustments with other hotels being added to the new 2014 category list.
The new category changes kick in on March 4th 2014, at local hotel time. That means you can lock in the current lower rates for future stays at hotels that are getting more expensive, if you book before March 4th.
Most hotels reservations can be cancelled for free, up to a few days before or sometimes even closer to arrival time. Just double check the T&C’s of the specific hotel to make sure.
Starwood hotels brands include Westin, St. Regis, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, Loft, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection and element hotels.
Starwood’s (SPG) Current Award Chart:
Category 1 = 2,000 points (weekend) or 3,000 points (weekday)
Category 1 with Cash & Points = 1,500 points + $30
Category 2 = 3,000 points (weekend) or 4,000 points (weekday)
Category 2 with Cash & Points = 2,000 points + $35
Category 3 = 7,000 points
Category 3 with Cash & Points = 3,500 points + $55
Category 4 = 10,000 points
Category 4 with Cash & Points = 5,000 points + $75
Category 5 = 12,000 points (Low Season) or 16,000 points (High Season)
Category 5 with Cash & Points = 6,000 points + $110
Category 6 = 20,000 points (Low Season) or 25,000 points (High Season)
Category 6 with Cash & Points = 10,000 points + $180
Category 7 = 30,000 points (Low Season) or 35,000 points (High Season)
Category 7 with Cash & Points = 15,000 points + $275
Sample Hotels going down in category:
- Sheraton Montevideo Hotel – Uruguay – From Category 5-4
Le Parker Méridien Palm Springs California – From 6-5 - Four Points by Sheraton Orlando Studio City – Orland Florida – From 2-1
- Aloft Arundel Mills, Maryland – From 3-2
- Aloft Lexington, Massacusets – From 4-3
- Element Lexington, Massacusetts – From 4-3
- W Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Foshay From 5-4
- Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls, NY From 3-2
- Sheraton At The Falls Hotel, Niagara Falls, NY From 3-2
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Pennsylvania City Center From 4-3
- Le Méridien Arlington Virginia From 5-4
Sample hotels moving up in category:
- Schloss Fuschl, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Fuschlsee-Salzburg – Austria – From 6-7
- Four Points by Sheraton Munich Olympiapark – Germany – From 3-4
- W Los Angeles – Westwood – From 5-6
- Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield, California – From 2-3
- Sheraton Mountain Vista Villas, Avon / Vail Valley – Colorado – From 4-5
- The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas, Beaver Creek Mountain – Colorado – From 5-6
- Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach, Florida – From 4-5
- Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – From 4-5
- Sheraton Annapolis Hotel – Marryland – From 2-3
- Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel – Maryland – From 2-3
- Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, NJ – From 2-3
- Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle Center, Washington – From 3-4
- W Austin, Texas – From 5-6