Originally Posted by
billycwhatup
The alternative, of course, would be to lower the requirements to bring it more in line with competition. If Gold were reduced to 30 nights, Platinum to 50 and threw in breakfast systemwide for Plats, I suspect (at least for 15 minutes) the masses would be calmed.
If they want to keep the 75 level and call it PP, they could add in a handful of guaranteed suite upgrades (along the lines of AA EXP or UA 1K).
This has always been my biggest beef with Marriott...their Elite levels are so out of whack with the competition, yet their benefits are the same or less (and seemingly getting worse, such as loss of EEOs, lounge closings and intentionally sketchy upgrade language).
However, I'm about a year away from Lifetime Plat so at this point I don't want to see them reduce the required nights and invite even MORE people into the ranks to dilute my few remaining benefits even further.
Certificates for suite upgrades on any stay (paid or award) might pacify my loss of the EEOs, but I know that's my personal thought and many here don't care if they have a suite or not.
At this point, Marriott's sole advantage to me is the ability to find a decent hotel most everywhere I want to be. Other than having the best coverage, Marriott has been on a downward trend for at least the past 3 years in my book. Unfortunately, I see absolutely NO sign of them trying to reverse that trend.