Originally Posted by BigLar
This is the first I heard about a new directive and, yes, it's a little annoying; why go through the trouble and expense of getting to Diamond if they're going to downgrade the benefits?
Big Lar
I agree...although Diamond is easier to earn than say MR Plat (I can earn in about 1/2 the time with 1 night stays...the concept of a loyalty program is to reward loyalty. When the rewards become cheapened, harder to get, or disappear completely that is not perceived as a reward for loyal patronship. I personally have noticed in my short time as a Diamond (about 4 months) that I was treated about the same as a Gold. I have Plat with Marriott as well and find the difference to be slightly greater there. With the amount of travel I do, I will probably keep top level status with both chains w/o a problem. But right now if I was going to let one slip to gold it wouldn't be Marriott.