Marriott's corporate structure is starting to look more like a Best Western or a Motel 8. Virtually all franchisees, doing pretty much what they want (especially in handling elites and marriott rewards) with little guidance or direction from HQ.

But really can you blame them? The marriott empire is in some respects starting to disassociate itself after numerous, bitter, acromonious lawsuits with its franchisees and operators. Heck, you can go into a marriott with the building owned by one company, food catered by another and operated by another. In addition, schisms within the Marriott family have split it in two.

There are VERY FEW corporately-owned Marriotts out there. Plus Marriott is still trying to absorb Ritz Carlton which still has its collective nose held up to what it sees as "Walmart" Marriott corporate.

The simple fact is there is not "one" Marriott. The training, personalities and culture of each hotel differs. Its no surprise that upgrades are either hit or miss. The fact that corporate marriott has raised the bar by prohibiting suite upgrades is not going to help as this spirit of dis-service trickles through the irregular ranks of "marriott" employees.