I rarely stay at RC if I'm paying (or the company is paying). It's just too fancy for an ordinary business trip. But on holiday, it's a different story, as we have time to enjoy all the benefits and luxuries. My pattern lately has been earn=Marriott, redeem=Ritz. As a PLT MR, I've never received any sort of recognition or upgrade while staying at RC, although their service has always been superb, of course. Once on holiday in Seoul, I paid for a stay at the RC, and booked the Club level. It's very nice, with several (5?) different food presentations per day. I was torn between sightseeing all day and going back to the hotel to take advantage of the afternoon tea and cocktail hour offerings in the lounge.

When redeeming MR points at RC, I have yet to figure out how to get upgraded to the Club level (or even how to pay for the upgrade), but since my partner and I tend to stay out all day, we'd probably only take advantage of the breakfast, and I don't think the cost of two breakfasts in the restaurant would be as much as the upgrade. So we end up on the lower floors with 'the little people' as Leona Helmsley would say. Although, once again, at RC, there really are no 'little people'. (And in Tokyo, there are no lower floors)

FWIW, I'm sure regular RC guests turn up their noses at those of us staying on MR points, but, for me, it's one of the best benefits of the program.