I couldn't have said this better myself. I received an offer mid-Sept to stay 20 more nights through the end of the year to retain my Platinum status, because I had only accrued 20-something nights up to that point. I didn't only have 20-odd nights because I was traveling less - I had 20-odd nights because I was staying elsewhere. I have been Plat for almost 10 years, which seems significant enough to me, but maybe not based on the threads that try to guess the number of Plats staying on an average night. Each time I checked-in during this promotional period, I kept questioning whether or not it was worth it to continue towards the 20 nights. I have earned Diamond status with Hyatt (and if you hit their board, you'll hear complaints of their eroding benefits, as well), Hilton Gold and Starwood Gold this year. By far, Marriott offers me the last bang for my status buck....even with lower tiered status at two of the three other chains.

It wasn't that long ago that when staying at second-tier properties like CY or SHS, that you would have a bottle of water and a snack waiting for you in your pre-assigned room. I liked that just fine. Now that one has the option to choose 200 points or "an item from the market," that benefit, for me, is diminished. Usually, after traveling, I'd like a bottle of water. I could mostly care less about the snack, but it was a nice perk. At my last stay at the CY Spokane, I was told I could have "an item from the market" or the 200 points. First of all, let's face it, 200 points is the closest to nothing one could offer. I don't know that I value 200 points to be a dollar. Sometimes, I have been able to talk the front desk into allowing me a water and a bag of M&Ms, or such - but, no, this night manager insisted I was only entitled to one item, and when I chose the bottle of water, she questioned why I didn't choose something more expensive, like a beer or bottle of wine. Because I want the water - and the same bottle of water will be $3-4 in the room. Of course, the previous night, I had stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn - again, with a lower tier of status - and was offered two bottles of water upon check-in, plus breakfast or a $$ credit in their market.

Someone at Marriott might want to consider that they could lose very loyal customers by ticking them off over simple - and cheap things, like a bottle of water and breakfast at a Courtyard. I do have my Platinum status for another year, but I doubt I will use it much. Then, they'll probably offer me another deal at the end of next year, which I will then have to decide if it is worth my time and effort again.