Originally Posted by
pinniped
the biggest variability in MR and SPG is the quality of the promotions, because the rewards from the promotions have at times been greater than all of the other benefits of the rewards program combined.
For people who want the most bang out of a few stays, Marriott has diminished greatly, since it just announced its second promo in a row where it doesn't have an option to earn free night certificates based on a few stays. All there is various ways to earn extra points. As a Marriott Plat chasing lifetime status there (which requires both lifetime nights and lifetime points), it doesn't affect me (I want the most lifetime points out of my promotion
), but a lot of people who don't stay as much are bummed out by the apparent disappearance of the free night certs as part of the promos.