Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
While part of me understands this "I've made platinum for the year (or the rest of my life, for the emeritus folks), so now I'll work on earning status with someone else" mindset, when I deconstruct it, it really doesn't make sense.
Is the reason you've stayed with Marriott so much simply to get "recognized" for it? I suspect that for most of us it's because we know Marriott offers a superior product. After making platinum you could spend your next 25 nights in a Hilton, but why? You'll be treated better, have a nicer facility, and earn more Marriott points (including the platinum bonus) by just sticking with them. Unless you just like to show off an array of elite-tier cards, the logical thing to do is to continue patronizing the brand that has earned your loyalty through the superiority of their product.
I can only answer this from my perspective. I stay somewhere between 200 and 235 nights a year. Often the most convenient hotel is not a Marriott. It is nice to have the elite benefits in those hotels as well. So if it means giving another program ten or 15 nights that would have gone to Marriott, I will do it to enjoy the 20-25 nights spent at the other chains. Now if Marriott made me think twice before even considering such a move, wouldn't it be smart on their part.
Don't get me wrong, Marriott is my program of choice and it will continue to be so. But I will also continue to try to earn status in the other programs for those times Marriott doesn't work for me.