Totally agree Bonzai.
My pp/plat/lifeplat bubble burst many years ago as well.

Platinum Premier Level [Merged threads]
 

I just got a letter in the mail from Marriott. I have been platinum for the last 6 years but only had 14 nights in 2014. I do have 60 nights reserved for 2015, and Marriott gifted me platinum through Feb of 2016. Nice gesture from them.

Marriott has swelled the Gold & PLT level for years and now the it appears the PLT Premier ranks as well that it makes little difference to the properties and the franchisees just can't keep up (IMO). Just like a few properties still offer outstanding concierge lounges, the few that do are rapidly dwindling and likely the same with upgrades. Hopefully if a property is fully sold out and they have to give suites out, it should go to PP's first. YMMV.

Example of Platinum Premiere's lack of importance
 

ACCIDENTALLY DISCOVERED I was Platinum Premiere!!

No email notification
No physical mail notification

Needed to correct a problem and the Plat desk said - OH! Thanks for being a Plat Premiere - then I noticed it was on my account.

I have no idea how long I have been PP - Why bother the awarding of the title!

Can hardly wait when I request my next upgrade to see if there is any advantage over my Lifetime Plat status.

Will advise

I was PP for about 8 years in a row. Lots of frustration and the sense that properties just saw me as another Plat.

So I decided to chase Hilton Diamond and Sheraton Plat. Did consecutive challenges at both to bump my status up.

Decided on Sheraton over Plat and ramped up for the 100 level that comes with a Personal Ambassador.

Is it better than PP? Well, I do have a single point of contact with a direct phone number. I get 10 suite upgrades each years that allow me to attempt to upgrade up to 5 days before arrival (70% success rate so far). That doesn't include normal plat upgrades onsite. After passing the 75 night level I get a 24 hour check in check out window. I get into my room at 9am and can check out at 4pm (with no hassle).

Essentially, SPG is providing more transparency in the benefits.

The real point of this post is that I've never heard a peep from Marriott. I went from PP (top 2-3% of their pax) to maybe 5 nights a year. No questions, no contact, just a big silent 'we don't care if our top customers leave'.

As an EXP, I didn't travel on AA for a couple of months and they called me to make sure I didn't have a problem with them and had gone to another carrier. I would think, AA probably has a few more EXP's than Marriott has PP's.

Take that for what it's worth but, my sense that they didn't really care about PP's when I was one, is not confirmed, in my mind, with their complete silence.

Meanwhile I have lifetime plat so when I do stay at a Marriott I get about equal level of treatment I had as PP.

Great Post
 

I've been LTP and PP for many years. I agree Marriott certainly acts like they don't care whether we stay or go. PP for Marriott is a terrible program since it instills a false expectation in their loyal customers. Terrible marketing on their part.

Received PP welcome package today including the gift. It is small travel speaker for your phone and such with a bag for it. Not bad. Will definitely use it. Honestly I'd be happy with a Marriott mug or t shirt or sweatshirt. Lol. Have not had a chance to read the small book that came with it but I don't expect any special benefits for us.

I wonder what I will get for it on eBay. Could not care less. Glad you liked it

Appears they paid about $40 for each of these, since they purchased in quantity.

Played around with it this evening. It is neat and has decent sound. Includes bluetooth and also the cords needed to plug it in directly.

If so, that sure beats last year's sub $10 phone charger.

Thanks for posting the nature of this year's gift. It's nice to know what I'm not going to get from Marriott this year. You must be an especially special PP, as they don't order enough for all of us and only send the gift to those they deem worthy or who call in and grovel.

The gift that I never received last year.

Agreed. Very decent indeed. I will actually be using it!

PP isn't marketed except internally, it's not an official status

And we all live in a box and don't know what other people have.