I think you are over-reacting. Yes there will be a blip - lots of status matched golds, lots of points swirling around. But they have got themselves on the map, and that is what they wanted. Many of the status matched won't stick around so won't be competing for your upgrades. The points will eventually get used up. I remember before their IPO Hyatt were similarly generous and now they have tightened up again but they have built a following. I think Club Carlson are hoping there are more folks like me - I'd never really thought of them before but after the promo last year I actually started using them and have made maybe a dozen or so stays already this year even without this years promo. I'd never have made them without the promo as I'd never have thought of them. So it has served a purpose for the brand, and I would try not to dwell so much on the "country being invaded"!