Originally Posted by
sethMCOflyer
No, you're still good.
Before you could pay an AF, get SPG Gold, and then convert that to MR Gold. For clarification, until the programs merge, MR Gold is effectively the SPG Platinum for MR properties.
Because of this I'm arguing that the changes bring a lot of value to Marriott status holders as the 50+ night level will be held by fewer people.
The lounges are probably going to be a lot emptier with the Amex credit cards and SPG Golds no longer able to match to old MR Gold and breakfast + Lounge access. Less contention for upgrades too as the new Gold Status is ineligible for suite upgrades.
Only way to get MR Plat via automatic credit card spend will be $75K spend on either the new SPG Luxury visa or existing Ritz Carlton Visa ($450 annual fee).
Of course, unless they change rewarding events (10 Marriott nights elite credit for every meeting room booked), you could just "buy" Platinum for $500 or less (15 elite night credit annually on the lower credit cards @ $95 annual fee, 4 meetings @ $100 each = 40 nights for $400, $95 + $400 = $495 for 55 nights), which would make the credit card spend to get Platinum seem absolutely not worth it...