I have to say, I have seen a noticable difference since being bumped up to Ambassador in the new program. I am a severely low maintenance traveler with over 2500 lifetime nights (was lifetime plat in both programs pre-merger), so my “sampling data” is extensive. But most of my recent pre-merger history was all Marriott vs SPG.

I don’t care about suites in general, most especially when traveling alone. I’m the weird person who doesn’t even desire a massive suite when I’m alone as it “complicates” my routines. I never ask about them at checkin,

But my suite rate at Marriott has gone from about <5% to over 70%. The difference is stunning. When I see everyone here complaining about losing suite upgrades, my only thought is “yeah, because they are all going to Ambassadors now”. I spent many years as a plat premier in the old Marriott program and it never made the slightest difference. But now, the difference has been big.

A couple requests to my Ambassador have been handled with ease (couple airport pickups, one points issue). I do feel my Ambassador is more useful than my Hyatt concierge, FWIW.

Anyway, as a mostly pre-merger Marriott person, the Ambassador level has been a big boost up.