Originally Posted by Dr. HFH

A phenomenon which I don't understand. Why bother staying the requisite number of nights to attain an elite level if you aren't going to avail yourself of the benefits? For me, the whole point of attaining elite status, regardless of whether hotel, airline, or alliance, is to enjoy the benefits.


Agreed. I also am under the impression that the hotels cannot tell the difference between a lifetime elite member and a non-lifetime elite member at the same elite level.