Perhaps that is the reason why they have been so generous with their bonus programs lately. Marriott must figure that they will prepare their best customers for this change by slightly fattening up their accounts. This way, the change will be easier to take. For me personally, I received 20,000 points plus the 5,000 from the summer weekend promo =25,000 bonus points. Last year, we all received bonuses without any changes in the point requirements.

My advice to them would be that they should suspend giving the bonuses if they are going to add to the requirements. This is like handing out money to your best customers before you raise your prices. Not a very good or intelligent business practice because the masses who support your company will become the most adversely affected people.

713 is not a simple award to achieve. For the Silver level people, it will take them quite some time to attain that level. To simply raise the bar after some people have spend more than a year to hit the goal is absolutely cold hearted.

I agree with the Platinums out there that they should receive more compensation for their loyalty, but believe it or not, the bills are really paid by the peons. I am sure there are more Silvers than Golds and Platinums combined. Furthermore, there are even more people who are not even members of the Marriott Rewards program who stay at Marriotts (the industry average states that over 60 percent of frequent flyers or lodgers are not members of any awards program).

If Marriott or any other company is striving to achieve loyalty in their customers, the worst thing they can do in an adverse economy is to say "no" to their customers by taking things away from them.

Remember one thing...if there is going to be a recession (and the economy is heading that way), Marriott and the other travel companies will need us all more than ever to achieve profitability. Furthermore, Marriott and the other companies will be out attracting as many new "loyal" customers for their programs as they can find. The last recession saw huge hotel vacancies and empty seats on planes. Huge losses were incurred by these companies.

The customer foundation of the frequent traveller programs is the loyal customer in the program. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE MESSING WITH THE FOUNDATION! They will be needing us to build profitability if and when the economy warrants it.

This is just my opinion. I plan to stay at Marriott and fly American for at least 25-30 percent of the days this year and next. I sincerely, hope and pray that my loyalty is appropriately rewarded by the two largest frequent traveller programs in their respective industries.

Remember, we are not stupid...we can see when something is taken away from us. As your best customers, we will also recognize which values become the best deal...and we will go with it. 713 and 714 were the best of your program...please reconsider your options before you tinker with the very reason why many people joined your program in the first place.