One feature that makes Marriott Platinum worthwhile is the 48-hr room availability guarantee. I have used it four times this year to get a room where non were avilable. With the hurricanes this fall, it became pretty tough to find a room in Houston, Austin, and Atlanta. The "platinum override" came in handy for sure.

Other than that, the features of platinum aren't really worth making an extra effort to get. The platinum "gifts" are nice but usually just spome cookies and a bottle of water unless you are at a Marriott or Rennisance, in which case you usually get your choice of wine & cheese, a beer & nuts or 500 points. A couple times this year they let me double dip and pick two.

Room upgrades also typically only happen at the full service hotels. i have also found that platinums usually get better treatment in the major metro areas and tend to be ignored in when you are in the sticks.

I have had them forget my platinum gift a number of times, though usually at the Fairfields or Spring Hill.