I stick with Marriott as a Plat for really only 1 reason: bonus points. I've long decided that I should really stay at the best/newest property in a given area, rather than force a marriott even if it's old. However, I don't stay enough to spread over multiple chains, so that's why I stick with one, and I find Marriott's point valuation to be very good (versus, e.g. Hilton).

Breakfast: Frankly, I almost prefer when there is no lounge, because I tend to get a larger/better breakfast in the restaurant that the company will pay for. The lounges seem to be very crowded these days as well. On pleasure travel it's the weekend, so little value when the benefit doesn't apply.

Amenity: Always go for the points, Jeff. Always.

Upgrades: I always think this is great, but here are a couple of stories. At surprisingly many marriotts (e.g. Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami), the suites have not been updated whereas the regular rooms have been. I often don't find this out until it's too late, as I did in that case. While I think it's fun to get a big room, I'm rarely if ever in it but to sleep. Also, for 1 person, it's not a big deal. Higher/club floor makes no difference, unless it's in a hotel where there is truly a view worth seeing from a higher floor.

48 hour guarantee: I used it 1 time, but I could have simply bit the bullet and stayed at another brand nearby. Whenever I've really really needed it (e.g. when a large conference is in town and all downtown hotels are full), the "guarantee" is null and void since it's a special "event".