As an fairly infrequent Marriott guest myself (under 5 nights usually every year) I essentially ignore the program in favor of the booking best deal at Marriott or elsewhere. I don't qualify anymore for silver, not that it had really any perks anyway, so don't sweat the points chase. Status and points really only come in to their own when you stay often at hotels so if you don't MHO is to relax and focus on the price and not get distracted by the other stuff.