The problem with PC (and AMB) is that there are no corporate rules. Each hotel has discretion to provide bennies as it sees fit. You never know what you're going to get from property to property, and even from stay to stay. For example, as a PC/Plat, the Times Square Crowne Plaza used to give CL access on award stays. Now it doesn't. In fact, it doesn't on some paid stays. And this is totally within the "rules," as the hotel and its management can decide what it wants to do -- and that's wholly within corporate guidelines.

We may not like some of the rules that Marriott has, but at least we know what they are!

I have PC/Plat thanks to my $49/year credit card (that includes an annual free night systemwide) - a great deal. But I use the chain only when I have to or it makes the most sense from a price/location basis. Now that AMB renewal for InterCons has gone from $100 to $150 a year, I'm dropping it.