Thanks for this topic. I travel for work in the US and always try to stay at Hilton, because my end-game is to use points to take my family to Israel. I never have quite enough points to stay at the Hilton TLV and WA Jerusalem the entire 10 day-2 week trip, but I had an easy and relatively inexpensive workaround - the TLV Hilton always had lots of P+C availability for $125 + 25,000 points. I found it to be extremely valuable as a redemption option, to stretch my points to my entire family vacation. Never had a problem finding dates as I book well in advance.
Now, when I check a random date in August 2017, the sliding point scale shows that 25,000 points still leaves a balance of $250 to be paid, doubling the cost in dollars. To get the price down to $125, I would need 55,000 points, more than doubling the cost in miles.
Big devaluation for me, and anyone that relies on P+C.
At least the $ portion of the nights booked with the new sliding scale will earn points, but that's little comfort given how many more points you need to redeem.
I have to admit its smart for them, as it affects a relatively small # of people, and actually allows a lot more people to use points in small increments if they like the price tradeoff, on any property. No longer will a property have to offer P+C, because all properties will offer the (devalued) option.
What will likely end up happening is that next trip we'll stay in TLV and spend the 55k points, then stay at the WA for a night or two, and then rent an apartment off AirBnB or VRBO for Shabbat in Jerusalem.
