Thought I would throw my $.02 in (I posted that I am defecting recently in the *wood board)...
Marriott has always treated me fine. I have plenty of points, spent a week with my wife in Kauai on Marriott, etc.
There are just a couple reasons I am changing:
-My wife and I have spent a couple free weekends at Westins and LOVE the Heavenly Bed/Bath combos as well as the rest of the amenities. I realized that I make my travel choice for our vacations together and if we are happier in those beds and rooms, then that is where I need to be.
-I have lurked on the *wood board for some time and it appears that suite upgrades occur fairly regularly for platinums in the SPG program. I have been plat with Marriott a couple years and have only gotten a suite twice; both at the San Mateo Marriott where I have spent an inordinate amount of time.
-Starwood makes it much easier to do business with them: no faxing for stays not captured, points posting quickly, no certs for award stay bookings, no capacity controls for awards (this is big).
-Finally, the Starwood Lurker represents a great innovation in customer service and is very deft in straddling the line b/w promoting his company and giving straight answers/solutions to issues that arise. The guy is even human and gives his own opinion on occasion that conflicts with corporate policy (this is rare, but is the kind of person I prefer to do business with).
Am I abandoning Marriott permanently? No. I am simply taking advantage of a status comp and seeing what life is like over there. I will still stay in Marriotts occasionaly, but until I notice some of the above qualities appearing at Marriott or if Starwood isn't nearly what I have read about; they won't be my first choice anymore.
Just thought I would share my rationale-
Kevin
ps- I apologize if there is a helpful Marriott Lurker that I haven't noticed; I don't check these boards too often, but the presence of the one from the other chain is unmistakable. IMHO, Marriott is missing the boat not having a similar, intimate link with an important cross-section of the traveling public