We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

Save Marriott Points on Free Stays in South Africa With Protea Hotels Category Changes

  • Toree Roy

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    A few months ago, I told you about terrific Marriott award stays at Protea hotels in South Africa.

    But now that Starwood and Marriott have announced their annual category changes, it’s time for an update.  Some of the deals will be even better!

    These include luxury 5-star hotels, a location on a game reserve, and a waterfront hotel in Cape Town!

    The Luxurious African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel in Johannesburg Is Going Down in Category on March 7, 2017 — From 20,000 Marriott Points to 15,000 Marriott Points

    There are 20 Protea hotels in South Africa that are changing categories, including 9 we wrote about.  I’ll show you which of them are going to cost more and which are getting cheaper.

    Stretch Your Marriott Points at Protea Hotels in South Africa

    Link:   Marriott Merger Loopholes: Penguins, Safaris, & More in South Africa!

    Link:   Marriott and Starwood Announce 2017 Hotel Category Changes

    1.   These Protea Hotels Will Cost MORE Marriott Points!

    Three of the Protea hotels in South Africa mentioned in our previous post are going up in category.

    African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel is a luxurious, Marriott category 4 hotel.  It’s located in Gardens, which is the prime area of Cape Town, and costs 20,000 Marriott points per night.

    But starting March 7, 2017, it’s jumping to a category 5, which costs 25,000 Marriott points per night.

    African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel Will Jump to a Category 5 on March 7, 2017, From 20,000 Marriott Points to 25,000 Marriott Points per Night
    Protea Hotel Cape Town North Wharf is another Cape Town hotel close to the trendy V&A Waterfront area.  Million Mile Secrets readers Beth K and Tommy M have wonderful things to say about the hotel!  But it’s changing from a category 3 to a category 4, moving from 15,000 Marriott points to 20,000 Marriott points per night. African Pride Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel is a lavish 5-star hotel and a historic building near Durbin, close to the Golden Mile beachfront.  It’s jumping from a category 3 hotel to a category 4, or from 15,000 Marriott points to 20,000 Marriott points per night.

    Here are all South African Protea hotels that will move up in category after March 7, 2017.

    Going Up: Marriott Protea Hotels in South Africa That Are Becoming More Expensive

    If you’re interested in booking these hotels, do it before March 7, 2017.  You can always cancel your reservation for free if your travel plans change (but check the individual hotel for their cancellation policy).

    2.   Protea Hotels We’re Happy to See Get Cheaper!

    Fortunately, more Protea hotels are going down in category than the ones that are going up.  If you’re interested in these locations, wait until after March 7, 2017, to book them!

    African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel is a 5-star, category 4 hotel in Melrose, one of the most desirable areas of Johannesburg.  It’s moving to category 3, or from 20,000 Marriott points to 15,000 Marriott points per night. Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge is a category 3 V&A Waterfront hotel, housed in a historic 19th century building.  It will drop to category 2, or from 15,000 Marriott points to 10,000 Marriott points per night.
    Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge Is Moving Down to Category 2 or 10,000 Marriott Points per Night

    These hotels are moving down from category 2 to category 1, or from 10,000 Marriott points to 7,500 Marriott points per night:

    Beachfront Protea Hotel Durban Edward Is Also Getting Cheaper, From 10,000 Marriott Points to 7,500 Marriott Points per Night
    Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport Transit is located in the international terminal of Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, inside the transit zone.  If you have a long layover, it can be a life-saver, especially for just 7,500 Marriott points per night!

    Here are all the South African Protea hotels that will move down in category after March 7, 2017.

    Going Down: Marriott Protea Hotels in South Africa That Are Becoming Cheaper

    Bottom Line

    On March 7, 2017, some Marriott and Starwood hotel categories will change.  So the price of an award night at certain hotels will go up, while others will go down.

    Changes for Protea hotels in South Africa, including locations we highlighted in our previous post, are mostly positive, with ~75% of the hotels moving down in category.

    Folks who have already booked a hotel that’s going down in price can cancel it and re-book after March 7, 2017, at the lower price. 

    But if you’re considering a hotel that will have a higher category, you might want to hurry and book!  You can always cancel the reservation if your plans change (but check with the hotel for their cancellation policy).

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)