Some posters highlight the unique ways that one can gain status in either Starwood or Marriott but neglect to mention that not everyone takes advantage of them. Until this year, I had never scheduled a meeting and probably never would have if I had another year of so to qualify for LTPP. As I said before, I have rarely used a MR personal or business credit card. Unlike some posters who travel primarily for business, I frequently book multiple rooms and stay in cities which have roughly equal opportunities to stay in either a Marriott or Starwood hotel. I had a lot of rewards nights, which MR only started counting after the merger. I realize that I'm the exception on FT, but I probably could have earned legacy LT platinum more easily with Starwood than with Marriott.

Although I will have over 100 nights in MR this year, it doesn't bother me that I probably won't get an Ambassador. In contrast, I am annoyed that Marriott made mid-year changes and hasn't provided enough details about what activity qualifies for status.