Hello Starwood experts ....

I am long time very loyal Marriott Rewards member (15+ years, last five as Platinum Premier, almost 1300 nights in all)
I am very disappointed with some of the "changes" introduced by Marriott in 2013:
-hotel category increases
-significant weekend rate increases
-lack of promotions
-hike in points rates for awards
-lower availability of award rooms (even during weekend)
-routinely mixing in restricted/pre paid rates with regular rates.
-huge hike in point redemptions for gift cards

I am travelling mostly at this point on my own dime (leisure/weekend) in the San Francisco Bay area and Florida ...

Looking for opinions of others travellers that either considered and/or switched to Starwood : what was the compelling fact ? would you recommend it ?

Browsing the spg website things that look interesting
-4pm late check out for platinums
-upgrade (including suites) but there seem to be varying opinions on that
-24hr checkin-checkout cycle
-AAA rates
-looks like SPG offers challenges to match status (could not see if one is available at this moment)

One negative I noted is that it looks like the cancellation policy is usually 1 day before arrival (marriott is usually 6pm day of arrival)

Thanks for the feeback / pointers ...

Pierre