Originally Posted by
SkiAdcock
I was curious about the 'when hitting top tier & thus going for top tier on others' that I read often on the hotel & airline forums. I think to myself, 'you finally have it & now you want to check out something else instead of enjoying the bennies you have?'
Not to sidetrack the discuss too much, but I just have to comment.
Given that Starwood comp'd me to their Plat status, I could still enjoy all the bennies of having top level status in a program. Given that I will keep Marriott Plat, I can actually have top level in multiple programs. And after 15+ years of primarily Marriotts, I did want to test the waters elsewhere.
Now I have top level in both programs (and points to use), it has been very nice. If/When my travel drops and I can't maintain Plat with SPG, I will probably go back to Marriott for most of my personal travel.
Now I realize the OPs situation is a bit different. LT status won't really kick in for a couple more years and SPG usually won't match Plat status if you've already had it once in the past. (Actually, I think they may have changed to more of a Marriott "challenge" format now anyway.) So I understand your point, but having a secondary program (and even a 3rd) can provide a lot of extra flexibility.