[QUOTE=cozysuite;30490372]If Marriott does not want to thank retirees, why do they grandfather LTPP with months advance notice
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Could you imagine a marketing professional suggesting Marriott spend money on customers who were profitable in the past but are likely past their prime spending days? Or to create and close LTPP even though it would make the company more money to keep it open but it should be closed anyway? Unless there is a reason to believe the program would increase present business no company would invest time, effort or money. Shareholders wouldn't stand for it. The decision to create and close LTPP is no different than any other business decision in that regard. Marriott would not be creating and closing the level if they thought keeping it open or not creating it in the first place would be more profitable. If they thought they would make more money keeping it open it would stay open.
Had LTPP not been created and LTP and LTG be given the same status/name in the new program, those presently working towards LT status would be given a message that Marriott might chop your benefits in the future. LTPP was not created to shower benefits on retirees. It was created to show today's LTP will not become tomorrow's LTG. On the SPG side, nobody would have been chopped down a LT level given there was no 750 night level, hence they were not originally included until there was pushback showing an unfairness. Had the level been created to award those with 750 nights SPG members would have likely been included at the start.
LTP will now be the highest level. Should Marriott decide to discontinue that level people presently at that level would likely not be shoved into a lower level, even if a new soon-to-be-closed level has to be created. Those presently working towards LTP can believe that based on Marriott not doing it this time.