From the Insiders thread:
"I recently spoke with someone who works at Marriott and he said there may be radical changes coming to MR that will be announced later this Spring and take effect in 2015.
The changes being discussed include:
* The points required for award stays will be increased by at least 5,000 points per night across all levels and the 5th night free will disappear. Category 10 will be added and require 60,000 points per night (read mass devaluation),
* a new level will be announced above Platinum and the requirements will be formally revealed. (i.e. everyone will know how to achieve PP, if that is what it is called)
* New benefits for Gold, Plat, and the new PP will be announced. These will include things like confirmed suite upgrades (for the new PP), instant upgrades using online check-in, free breakfast (including resorts for the new PP ), free parking, and free "lifestyle events," at the hotels during your stay,
* The offerings in the concierge lounges in NA will be enhanced and will include free beer, wine and spirits where local laws permit.
* However, Concierge lounge access will be eliminated for Golds and Plats unless upgraded to the concierge level rooms. (Gold and Plats will continue to receive free continental breakfast in the restaurant or points.)
* MR is looking at different models for awarding elite status including annual hotel spend, instead of nights stayed (similar to Delta's and United FF requirements for elite status). Spend in bars and restaurants will be included. Deeply discounted rates, such as Government Rates, group and convention rates, and special promotion rates will not count towards the spend requirement."
Bolding mine. Have to say that as a LT Plat, if some of the above happens, I probably will start looking elsewhere. Geesh, first UA started me looking at other pastures & now Marriott might as well.
BTW - I think Marriott following the Delta thing might not happen at least short term. Marriott tends to follow & not innovate. Unless the other hotel chains do something like that, it would cause more to leave Marriott than stay.
Cheers.