Another thing to note is that status on Marriott is much more difficult to obtain. At SPG, it takes only 10 stays / 25 nights for gold, about 1/2 to 1/5 the number for Marriott. Platinum can be had in 25 stays / 50 nights, where it is 75 nights with Marriott. Marriott also has qualification only by number of nights, which makes it very difficult for some.