Originally Posted by
sinfonia
I assume from your email that this means you do not believe you will stay in a hotel long enough to reach 300 nights. If Marriott continued to offer rollover nights for 2018-19, it would likely help you, but that is gone.
Obviously, everything depends on preference - are Marriotts more convenient for you, do you like the Marriott properties better, what do you value, etc. - but since it sounds like the lounge is one of the most important things to you and investing in LT gold does not mean much to you, I would probably move over to Hilton after the 75 nights. You can earn diamond in 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120K points. Unfortunately, though, the benefit really is only for the year since it will take many years of elite status with Hilton to amount to lifetime status.
Marriott's are only convenient due to the widespread availability and in the beginning, due to United. I stay in major cities so there's almost always a Hilton/Hyatt close by as well. I've only stayed at a non-Marriott / non-spg property for a handful of nights, probably around 10-15 my entire career. It will probably take me 2-4 years to reach 300 nights. Yep, with rollover nights not being offered, I'm kind of at a dilemma whether I should push toward lifetime or just diversify and test out other chains. I value Plat (or higher) status in Marriott due to the lounges/upgrades/SNAs. Gold seems to be the new 'low' status with not so many great benefits.