Originally Posted by
guidospizza
Where the benefits really make a tangible difference is in Asia. I have been upgraded at every single property in several countries here (JW, Renaissance, Marriott brands). Plus, the lounges at those places have very little to do with most in the US of the same brands - lots of food and free drinks, including a completely open bar.
Earn your points in the US, they'll pay off in Asia @:-)
4 - 5years ago, many Marriott properties were easily sold out in Seoul so my PL status not only helped me but also one of my colleagues to book rooms via PL override. (But I rarely got an upgrade there. The only time I got an upgrade at Seoul Courtyard Time Square was when I got really mad when they upgraded my Gold status colleague but not me.)
Now I don't go to Seoul as often. But I have been treated really well at JW in Beijing and Shanghai. At JW Shanghai Tomorrow Square, I always got a room upgrade to a corner room or junior suite. At JW Beijing (Jian Guo Road), they typically put me on the exec floor (rarely an upgrade to a suite thought) and gave me a free bottle of red wine.
So the PL status is worth more in Asia (especially in China) than anywhere else. If you only travel in the US, Gold status is good enough which gives you access to the lounge (which you can get if you are a UA Gold or above.)