Considering that the head of the combined Loyalty Department came from the Starwood side, it is astounding that nobody considered the backlash from SPG members who were initially not offered a path to LTPP. If SPG had simply added a 750 night Platinum level a while back that would have converted to LTPP, the perception of unfairness would have been reduced.

Anyone without 10 years of combined Platinum status certainly didn't have the 10 years of SPG status needed to qualify for LTP under the legacy SPG rules. I know that much of the following is off topic, but I didn't want to start a new topic and there are only so many ways to address the complaints of people who didn't meet the criteria for any status level before the cutoff date.

Since SNA's weren't part of the MR benefits, LTP and P were basically the same. With the exception of an unadvertised PP level that represented a very small portion of the membership base, both annual and lifetime status were close to the top of the upgrade pool. Since the merger, suite upgrades, which were common at Marriott at least in some parts of the world, were explicitly added to the program description. Whether the suite upgrade language was added due to the merger or Hilton's decision to incorporate similar language, I am glad it is current policy.

If 750 night MR members had been given the same status as 500 night members, they would be behind those PP+ A, PP members, and those P members who were using SNA's in the upgrade pool. Knowing that suite upgrades are part of the upgrade pool is of little use if you are so far down the list that you don't get them.

Although the extra points from PP are nice, I appreciate United Silver more. Although United Silver has been a benefit of P status for many years, like any aspect of a Loyalty program it could disappear at any time.

The things I believe are going away from the MR side are attractively priced travel packages, status maintenance based on the last three years, soft landings, rollover nights and the ability to earn 3 points per dollar and 10 elite nights for each group booking. I am not defending using low cost meetings for status or the precise way that rollover nights added to LT status, but I wish they had continued in some form.

I am glad that the breakfast benefit has expanded and RC's are starting to offer suites to PP and above. Although I appreciate the addition of Luxury Collection and St. Regis hotels, others whose travel plans differ will obviously have a different perspective on the value of more higher end hotels as part of the package. I have been Platinum on the MR and SPG side and I believe I understand the positive and negative aspects of the merger, but I am happy to be enlightened by those who know more about the old and new progarms.