As always, you have nailed it on the head, Sea Tigger! As I have noted in my other posts on this issue, I actually empathize with these folks to some extent in that I believe that Marriott ought to be offering them something more than the competition by virtue of Marriott's more stringent requirements for making its highest tier as compared to the other chains.

That said -- and of course those who now call for civility, etc., wish to ignore that part of my posts -- Marriott has thus far failed to to do so. Therefore, your identifying their simple option to move to another chain rather than constantly bellyaching about this in this forum, demonstrates that something else is at work here.

Perhaps, these individuals just enjoy whining for whining's sake, as it is perfectly clear that their claim that their posts could change Marriott policy, is but smoke and mirrors, for as MIKEM pointed out above, and many of us know all too well, there just are not that many suites to go around at many Marriott properties, and as others have noted, Marriott has removed the ambiguity about suite upgrades from its most recent rules governing the program.

Therefore, far from changing Marriott's views on this issue, what they really have only accomplished is to now permit every unsympathetic desk clerk and manager of a property the leeway to deny a Marriott Platinum a suite upgrade, as their actions have caused Marriott corporate to enshrine in the current rules that this potential perk is no longer available.

Do you want to bet that those hotel employees who wish to deny a suite upgrade will now be able to recite chapter and verse the language governing room upgrades to every Marriott Platinum who might venture to request a suite upgrade for themselves?

Nice going, guys!