Originally Posted by
dayone
Primarily to "grandfather" (read: one-time grant) legacy Marriott lifetime Platinum members who had earned that "level" (75 nights) and benefits in the old program. Offering it on some basis to Starwood members is an accommodation.
And then Starwood members wanted their 750 nights treated the same as Marriott nights. Once SPG nights counted towards the 750 needed, MPG felt the needed to allow combined nights and years of status. Then Marriott members wanted to be able to use combined nights and uncombined points. Others continue to want combined nights and combined points.
If you give a mouse a cookie.....