Originally Posted by pinniped

The United status.

For those who don't fly a lot of Star Alliance, but still use it for a couple trips a year, that perk is worth something.

Everything else about Marriott has become a commodity. They're taking out the service elements at pretty much every brand. I'm glad I have lifetime status, because I will never again chase status at a chain hotel. They are all interchangeable beds and showers with mostly unfriendly staff at this point.