Originally Posted by
Alohashirt
I did read the FT thread on this: There's quite a bit of bitterness and flame throwing about whether getting elite nights through meetings is somehow "cheating." I can't see how paying for meeting space out of my own pocket to host a few board meetings is "gaming the system," but it's a chance I'm willing to take. I'd rather spend money this way than putting up $450 to get Hilton Diamond status.
Why would anyone care that an anonymous stranger of FT thinks a legitimate way to get nights' credit is lesser than BIB? While one could argue that manufactured spend might be cheating or the "other person will be showing up later" lie is wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with paying for a meeting to get points. This is one where you can tell the property you are not showing up and still get credit, unlike not checking into a guest room. Just because others might not like it does not change that Marriott feels there is a reason to give nights' credit for holding a meeting. Again, who cares if someone disagrees?
The irony is that according to their posts a couple of the people making that complaint are also now holding some quick meetings to get in a last year of Plat so as to qualify for LTPP.