FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA ExPlat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 17,019
Pre-Bonvoy Gold got me lounge access at a variety of properties. I “earned” that status from my Amex Plat and my UA Elite status match. It earned Marriott a decent share of my travel spend that otherwise might have gone to Hilton (Diamond).
With Bonvoy Gold doesn’t seem worth a whole lot and I have reduced my spend accordingly. There is one property (Sheraton FRA) where I have gotten a club upgrade twice in the last year. Not bad, and while I could get free breakfast at one of the Hilton properties at the airport, too, I will continue to consider them going forward.