Let me get this right; so the only difference from Plat is a black card and the suffix Premier.

IME, pretty much that's it, at least domestically. Have had a few intl FDC's ask about PP but really not a big deal. Certainly nothing like having CK on AA or GS on UA.

I was actually looking forward to using the 20% off dining benefit next month when I return to Vail. The 20% off would bring the cost of their breakfast to that of the West Side Cafe and Little Diner. Oh well their loss and West Side Cafe and Little Diner's gain.

Don't forget the front desk staff occasionally saying the suffix (with feeling and five part harmony*). ;)

* - ymmv

Platinum Premier - 2012 Card?
 

Should I have received my card for 2012 by now?
I have recieved my airline cards, so wondering about Marriott.
The main benefit of PP is the discount on food which says "show your card".

Check out these two posts:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18022617-post70.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18033286-post73.html

New 2012 Marriott Platinum Premier Membership Benefits
 

I finally got my 2012 Marriott Platinum Premier Card and Membership Benefits package today. I have to say I am underwhelmed.

-They took away the 20% Marriott Restaurant Discount Benefit
-Still specifically exclude Suite Upgrades or Ritz-Carlton Club Floor Access as a Benefit
-No Marriott Benefits that is different than being Platinum

I have re-read the package twice and I cannot find even one benefit that is an improvement over being Platinum. The complementary WSJ Mobile Reader for a year was nice but I already have a subscription through my normal WSJ subscription.

I was expecting Marriott to respond to Starwood's enhanced programs but I guess I was sadly mistaken. I used to be a dual SPG and Marriott Platinum but I moved all my business to Marriott because I thought loyalty pays. I guess I will go back to splitting my loyalties with other chains since there is no benefit to doing more than 75 nights-a-year with Marriott.

In Marriott's defense (not really) if they were going to respond to SPG's enhancements, making those changes from concept to deliver will take forever. For example, MR decided to change their set of 2 EEO coupons and without notice, pulled them from their website and announced....

While I appreciate Marriott Concierge's involvement here (limited that it is), that announcement was on Sept 22, 2011. "Short hold"? We're talking about a couple of coupons. If they were actually going to address a true elite policy enhancement similar to what SPG delivered, I can't even imagine how long that would take. A year maybe?

Property: Mariott West Chester (Cincinnati NOrth)
Length of Stay: 1 night
Greeting: Thanked for being PP, offered points and ammenity or double points
Room upgrade: Upgraded to concierge lounge floor
Suite upgrade: No
Special requests filled: CL was closed - FD called up to make sure I could get a bottle of water.

I do not care at all about WSJ all I really cared about was the 20% off. I have 1720 night and am Lifetime PL. Marriott give me a reason to keep doing my 130 nights!!!

Marie can you please respond to this? I have sent her a PM

I agree that Marriott needs to seriously update their loyalty program after SPG announces the lifetime. I expect to be a Marriott platinum lifetime after this year and will be looking for either Hyatt or SPG as an alternative.

Wow - you'd think they'd do something extra for Plat Premiers, not take away.

Consider writing Ed French.

Cheers.

Ah, but it's black and has the word "Premier".
Note to Marriott Lurkers: Do not construe my statement as a compliment in any form or fashion.

FWIW, I too was looking forward to the 20% off dining as that would have been used often when in Vail. As it is I will give my patronage to other dining establishments. The good thing is that at least I don't have to worry about receiving the card by next weekend when I return to Vail.

Now that would be a waste of time IMO as I sincerely believe that Ed French really doesn't care about the customer. He and other lurkers here on FT have done little positive for the elite members from the myriad of complaints that have been voiced on these boards.

With room occupancy up there is no need for them to offer more benefits. Until they see that drop, you won't see any new or improved benefits and are more likely to see diluted benefits as is the case for removing the paltry 20% off they had previously afforded PP.

My suggestion is to voice your displeasure by staying elsewhere which will, over time, may affect their occupancy numbers. Keep in mind that Marriott, like United, being the largest has numerous contracts in place that sustain their business model and in lucrative business travel periods there is much less need to attract non-contract business. Until Marriott's contract business takes their business elsewhere, and/or if the economy were to tank again then get used to seeing mundane benefits, possible reductions in benefits, and higher room rates. I have definitely seen an uptick in room rates in the past 2 years.

These observations coming from one who is almost 100% leisure traveler. With rates going up and LT Plat under my belt I think it is time to start using my MR points again. That target burn rate of 1.5¢ is much easier to attain than it was in the past 4-5 years.

Just got my package today and, like others, read it multiple times and I would love for someone to tell me what exactly Platinum Premier gets outside of Platinum. The only thing I see is the mobile WSJ app (whoopee!) and I think it has a separate reservation line. That's it. Unless I am missing something.

Marriott Platinum - been losing perks year on year
 

Don't forget the free breakfast that went away last year at the Courtyard Franchise. This was a nice benefit, without it there are better values out there and I have driven a few miles further to stay with competitors. Getting to 75 nights does not return the same value as it did two years ago.