That's correct, mainly because some (or maybe all ...) of the other hotels in the Marriott branding have their own elite levels, including Courtyard.

Personally I think Marriott has a great system, and they are definitely my second favorite after Hyatt.

You have a single member number and a single point account and you can have multiple levels of membership for the different chains associated with that one account (Marriott Club Marquis, Fairfield InnSiders, Courtyard Club) and if your chain of choice is not available you can stay somewhere else and at least earn points in that same account.

My only problem is that it takes *forever* to earn enough points for free stays it seems. I've stayed at Courtyards (say 10 nights) and Marriotts (another 8 nights or so) and the one terrible night in Towneplace suites, plus a few Hertz rentals (1500 points) and I'm still going to have to redeem 16000 Membership Rewards points just to get a free two night weekend stay (35000 points) in Annapolis this year. That's why I prefer Hyatt ...