Originally Posted by
msp3
If you actually think a real Ritz-Carlton type of customer (much like a Four Seasons customer) is relying on a free room upgrade or begging for free food in the morning instead of getting one from their Ritz-Carlton STARS travel agent or simply paying out of pocket (as a real person of means would) then you truly don't understand the travel market top-tier hotels are targeting.
Loyalty programs are for the petty bourgeoisie who want to pretend they're living the high life but can't actually spend like the truly wealthy do. If there's something you actually want, pay for it. Why all the cloak and dagger games to get something for pennies on the dollar if you have wealth you're willing to expend and the experience is obviously far more important?
Spoken like a true "petty bourgeoisie," to use your term. Why pay for things you can get for free? Perhaps unnecessarily splashing $ around makes you feel like you're "truly wealthy," but as a "real" RC customer, I still want an upgrade. Even if you book a suite, why not have the free upgrade to a bigger one...
I still haven't seen any mention of the fundamental point that for elite qualification purposes it makes no sense that Bonvoy treats a $70 night in a Courtyard Marriott the same as a $700 night at Ritz-Carlton. This would be like AA crediting the same amount of EQM for an Economy Basic fare as full fare J, it just doesn't make sense.