Originally Posted by
GoPhils
Define "meaningful."
How exactly has Platinum status been "degraded" anyway? If you were coming from legacy Marriott, the 50-night level (now Platinum, was Gold) is actually better - by getting the Platinum Welcome gift and guaranteed late checkout which the old Gold did not have.
For SPG Platinums, yes it has been degraded/devalued. Platinum was the SPG top tier that got almost everything - SNAs, Lounge, Welcome Gift/Breakfast, Late checkout, etc, including generous upgrades. Now platinums are two tiers down from the top so those folks will be hearing a lot of "you already have a nice room" when inquiring about upgrades. The fact is Marriott butchered the best hotel loyalty program and is trying to throw enough scraps out to keep the lower tier members coming.