Well Michelle (not the OP) from Marriott Insider eludes that there are new benefits coming. I'm not holding my breath.

FWIW, 95% of my stays are at international properties and all my stays are leisure MOM. At PP and LT Plat I'm staying with Marriott for the time being as bennies overseas properties are very nice.

As far as eroding competitiveness; that is a broad assertion based on one sample. But, I too would go for the Four Seasons offer as that's a no brainer.

As a result of the OP's experience I decided to check the Four Seasons here in Vail since I have to do 1 night prior to my early flight back to my Fairfax home at the end of July. Unfortunately nowhere near the OP's experience; Four Season's best rate is $430, where my current reservation at Vail Marriott is $149. In this case I guess I would surmise that either Four Seasons competitiveness is eroding or Marriott competitiveness is improving. Neither of which is a valid statement considering the sample size.