The way I see it, there are a decent number of lower-tier Marriott-family properties that are faceplanting in various ways. I generally haven't had trouble getting a 2PM/4PM checkout upon request (getting housekeeping to observe it is another story...some days I think there's a risk housekeeping is going to come while I'm out at breakfast and then the next occupant is going to find an unmade bed because housekeeping got the order-of-operations hilariously wrong), but other things have been somewhat scattershot. Ceteris paribus I might choose a Marriott-family property at an equal price...but if I'm going to be told to change my own bed and set out my own trash at the Marriott (not far from what I've been told on a few occasions) but not at the Choice property, Marriott is going to lose that showdown. Similar issues arise if there's an utter lack of on-property food options aside from the pantry (this does happen), total lack of a passable breakfast, etc.

I think a good portion of the "Why do I bother?" sentiment comes from the fact that despite whatever bells and whistles we might get with status, a lot of what I think we've generally regarded as basic stuff is still not available...and at some point, there's not much logic behind driving business to hotels (if not wanting to outright punish the hoteliers who are to all appearances not even trying).