I beg to differ. I value my Platinum (though have not stayed the 75 nights [=20% of a year] this year). I have been well-treated in all locations. I have used the Platinum privileges to book 1 room over a sold-out hotel, have received access to the Executive lounge at Renaissance properties (and some Marriotts) with meals/snacks that a lower level would not receive, some breakfasts at Courtyards (gasp!) and some room upgrades at properties that had that available. Oh yeah, and the Chocolate Haagen Daaz at the Renaissance properties, with a switch-out of water to Diet Coke The RI and Executive Lounges often have manager's receptions, especially Mon-Thurs., but it depends on the properties....and at the RI I spent 6 months in, that meant a real dinner.

Hilton Gold hasn't been as good, and they didn't want to match Diamond despite a branded CC with lots of travel expenses on it. I have had reasonable luck with HHonors customer service when needed, however, and do like the properties still (except those darn alarm clocks that won't let me select my own radio channel). Yes to the manager's receptions.

I would definitely do the MR Gold and/or Platinum challenge (Compare to the HHonors Diamond challenge if 20 nights or 10 stays) in 3 months. This is best met if you "bed hop" properties on alterate nights. I also know that they only notch down 1 level per year if you don't stay as many again, and also periodically do a "rolling year" check (akin to HHonors) to see if anyone qualifies for an elite level on that basis. There is also a "buyback" of status by points (25K gold?, 50K platinum?) if you "fall off" and go down a level.

By the way, SPG (Starwood) will match Marriott Platinum to SPG Platinum one time, and there is a thread in that forum with the info (fax card and statement). It would be good through 2/2008.