Originally Posted by bhrubin

It seems to me that some tried to hold meetings before August 18 in an obvious effort to scheme and get higher status with the new Loyalty Program. It also seems that some are screaming at the rain in this thread because Marriott isn't entertaining such obvious scheming.

Everyone knew for months in advance that the rules would change on August 18. Everyone knew that Marriott Rewards and its concomitant rules ended on August 17 and that the new Loyalty Program and its concomitant rules began on August 18. Anyone holding a meeting for genuine reasons close to August 18 knew this, too, but it shouldn't matter to them. Only those holding meetings under false pretenses close to August 18 are upset, since they held meetings they didn't need only to get elite nights the new Loyalty Program no longer says they deserve.

Marriott Rewards allowed one to scheme by holding meetings and earning 10 elite nights for each one. The new Loyalty Program shows that Marriott wised up and ONLY allows one to earn those 10 elite nights for the FIRST meeting. It was very clear to me, and it was very clear to many others. Some chose to pretend otherwise. Others prayed that it meant something else. Some people only hear what they want to hear, but Marriott isn't responsible for them. Nor are any of us.

Any meetings held prior to Aug 18 for genuine reasons got exactly what someone paid for--meetings. The status perks associated with those meetings changed on August 18. If one waited too long to scheme too close to the August 18 date, then one waited too long. Marriott no longer is entertaining the scheming.

Good for Marriott. Good riddance to the schemers and their complaints.