Saw something interesting Marriott did. Rollover extra nights to gain a jump start for next year.

http://www.marriott.com/marriott/eliterolloverFAQs.mi

Maybe Starwood can start a status savings plan:

e.g.

People with 100 nights will be platinum for 2+ years.

People with 200 nights will be platinum for 4+ years.

People stay 3000 nights in n years will have life-time platinum

Sounds like a consultant's 401k plan?