Originally Posted by
PHLGovFlyer
I think this really sums up the issue not just with the lifetime benefits, but with MR elite benefits in general. There just isn't enough differentiation between gold and plat.
It would be suicide for MR to degrade the gold level as a means to create differentiation since MR gold at 50 nights per year is already the most difficult mid-level status to achieve among the major hotel loyalty brands. So this really only leaves the option of improving the plat level benefits which, as you note, are not highly differentiated from the gold level. MR plat is also the most difficult status level to achieve among the major brands at 75 nights so it really should have better bennies compared to MR gold and compared to the competition.
I'll hit lifetime gold sometime next year and with the current MR benefits structure it really is an open question as to whether I'll want continue to stay and go for lifetime plat or try another chain like SPG.
^ I used to be gunning for LT Plat. Now I'll be perfectly happy with LT Gold because there's so little difference between the two statuses.
All of my discretionary business is currently going to Hyatt and Starwood (plus one night @ Club Carlson's Park Inn + Country Inn to get the large bonuses this quarter). I'll renew Hyatt Diamond and reach Starwood Plat before the end of this year but will fall to Gold with Marriott. There is so little additional benefit for Marriott Plat that I can't justify pursuing it. Even my Marriott Gold status for next year will be another soft landing (I was Plat Premier last year).
I'm especially disappointed with the removal of ALL additional benefits for Plat Premier.
Guys, the only way that Marriott's going to change their way is if people vote with their feet. Personally, I'm taking my discretionary business over to loyalty programs that have richer rewards.