Better treatment? Nah. Worth being Plat? Yeah. The hotels that go out of their way to show they appreciate that you're Plat are doing the same for Gold, Silver and non-status. The ones that don't give a hoot that you're Plat are also not giving a hoot about Gold, Silver or man-off-the-street. I truly believe service given reflects the hotel more than the guest's status.

By the numbers: Recent stay points: 1,810 Base, 905 Bonus and 500 Welcome. (I always select points, as I can expense anything else anyway.) Total Earned: 3,215.

If I were Gold: 1810 Base, 453 Bonus, 0 Welcome. Total Earned: 2,263.

Approximate Difference per Stay, Plat:Gold - 1,000 points per stay.

Seventy Five Stays per Year Difference, Plat:Gold - 75,000 points. That is three additional free nights in a Level 5 Hotel per year. (Assumptions - FS hotel, this represents an average rate per night, one night stays and no room service or other charges that get points. Sometimes I have JW stays, other times CY or SHS, so 500 Welcome Bonus is probably a little above average, and I probably have 50 unique stays per year for 75 nights total, so the additional 75k bonus points per year for being Plat may be a high estimate, but it's gotta be at least 55k extra points.)

In addition, the Platinum Override (48 Hour Guaranty) is something I use a few times per year. Knowing that even at the last minute, I can get a room near a customer gives me freedom to meet a last minute request without worrying about getting a room. i used the Override just last week in Charlotte. I've also used it this year in Pittsburgh and Washington.

One more thing - when checking into large Marriott properties, the blue carpet has sometimes saved me having to wait in a long line. A couple times someone has come out from the back and checked me in when there is a long line. (In Chicago a couple months ago, the person next in the regular line grabbed my arm and said, "I'm next." I just kept walking. The manager explained but the woman grumbled that I should have to wait in line like the rest of them.)