Let's look at it from Marriott's point of view: what is the true cost vs benefit to extending Plat. status for a long-time customer that's had a lot of stays in the past few years?

Cost? Incremental difference between gold and plat. Not really a lot of cost. Some dissension among plats that "earned it" vs those that benefited from the policy. Guaranteed room availability may be a "cost" but since those are rack rate, it may actually be increased revenue.

Benefit? Increased loyalty from those that might go elsewhere in a tough economy.

Marriott's obviously done the math and decided....