Good question - I am also LTP and concerned about the merger and wondering what to do this year and aim for 750 nights total. Folks say Marriott Plat harder to achieve w 750 nights and points but I've been looking at it and I think Starwood plats actually harder. Starwood lifetime needs 10 years so that shows real loyalty and causing other spending w guests etc who accompany) while Marriott can get lifetime platinum in 1-2 years. Their credit cards give so many nights for signing up and on spend, and one can book meetings and get tons of nights. I probably would get the 750 nights using their credit card and booking a few meetings here and thre in a year and half.

I don't see net spend on platinum SPG being lower than Marriott as many seem to think. Maybe I'm wrong but hopefully Marriott will see value in us and ensure lifetime plats keep highest tier in whatever new program emerges.

I know now that I would take my business (and my companies) elsewhere if they dropped us too dramatically on tier/ benefits. Marriott so far has gone above and beyond in placating members. I hope they keep doing so. Financially they probably should curb some of the benefits as it seems to me many plats are overly demanding