The Alibaba program is legitimate as Marriott is trying to get more Chinese elites - akin to credit card Plats and corporate ones for US members.

For those in China, we view these as unfair as it's easy for us guys to get elite status.

For me, as a lifetime titanium, I don't like any of these easy routes as it waters down the experience, but let's be honest - the easiest way to get status is in us