Originally Posted by GeorgeBurdell

I've been a Plat Premier since January. In general, this status is inconsistently recognized. I'm not sure how I made it but I did spend 191 nights mostly in Marriott, Renaissance and Ritz Carlton properties last year. I spend very few nights even at Courtyard which I consider a downgrade.

The one benefit I do know I get is when I b*tch, somebody listens.

Case in point:
I've been staying at the Renaissance Arboretum in Austin for most of the year. Most of the time, I get upgraded to their "luxury suite" which is a 8-900 sq. ft. corner room with dining area, living room, sleeping area, dressing room and bathroom. Sort of an open floor plan. Two TVs, two comfy cowhide lounge chairs with ottoman, sofa, etc. Lots of windows.

Recently, I quit getting upgraded and was being thrown into regular rooms. Now I know this property has at least 12 luxury suites and 28 executive suites (rooms with a small living room and separate bedroom). The desk clerk told me that they were all being occupied by other Plat Prems. Yeah, right. So I fired off a polite but insistent email to the senior rooms controller who had been sending me hello/goodbye emails. I asked them why I had fallen off their radar and told them that the Marriott in Round Rock didn't have a problem finding me a suite. She figured out where the disconnect on allocating me an upgrade had occurred and got my profile updated. Now I'm back to my usual upgrade and I'm very satisfied.

I usually get upgraded and I've started referrring to my status in the virtual concierge requests just to make sure they know I'm coming

The only Marriott chain that ignores my status is the Ritz. I tolerate that for now because I'm usually staying at a discounted rate comparable to most Marriott's. My suggestion to Marriott is that Platinum Premiers should get upgrade benefits to at least the Club level at Ritz Carlton. That's certainly a fair thing to do considering how much money I spend.