I find it a bit amusing that every time someone doesn't agree w/ you that they're considered defensive.

I wasn't being defensive in my post. I was pointing out that now that I've started reading the SPG forum more regularly, the grass isn't 100% green, no matter how much some SPG elites (not just you) would like to make it be. And given I was referencing what the Lurkers posted, I'm not sure how my comment could be defined as defensive, unless you're saying the Lurkers are as well.

I also think that if you have specific recommendations on how the merged program should be in 2018, that you direct them to your contacts at SPG. That would probably have more direct input than the usual "I wish" threads in the various hotel programs that crop up periodically on FT.

Cheers.