Originally Posted by username

I think another thing they should consider when they start lining up the tiers is the effect from the airline partners. Right now, UA Gold and above bet MR Gold while DL Platinum and above get some benefits but no status. In the UA-Marriott partnership. MR is giving away the Gold status like candies. So if they can give all the UA Gold+ MR Gold, why not SPG Golds?

I think no matter what they do, there will be a lot of unhappy customers - people either feel they lost something or what they have is diluted because other less deserving people got what they have.