How do you calculate that ROI? It doesn't make sense to say that someone "spent 23k on that status" and then treat it as if that was a direct payment for Ambassador benefits.

I, and presumably almost all Bonvoy Ambassadors, first and foremost spend 23k(+) on hotel rooms. If you are saying that I can, with 23k spend within the parameters of where I need/want to go and when, get better value elsewhere, I am all ears. If you are saying that comparable benefits can be had elsewhere with lower spend, then that is simply irrelevant for anyone who spends that amount no matter what.


Yes, it is interesting and appreciated. And I am saying that as someone who, on many trips, doesn't even care that much about upgrades in a functional sense - but I feel that they are often indicative of a hotel's, or even a programme's, general attitude towards high status guests. That consideration also invalidates any "But did you even ask for an upgrade" sentiment, because if I have to argue my way into upgrades, it simply isn't a valuable benefit for me because I already know that the property wants to do the abolute minimum or less (prime similar example: guaranteed late checkout versus late checkout based on availability doesn't sound very different, but is a world of a difference IME).

I am currently on a "bad run" regarding upgrades over several (Bonvoy) stays in Dubai - a city where I did not expect this during its low season. Does this spoil my trip? No. Is it in any way conclusive regarding the relative value of different loyalty programmes? No. And yet, I will probably summarize it (similar to what EE did here) after the trip because I think that some others might find it interesting, and that's what the forum is for.