How is it a "downgrade" if no one can identify any significant difference between Platinum and Platinum Premier?

I would bet that if you end up in a tie situation for a room upgrade, the PPs (providing the property knows what that means) would win out. Other than than, no real value to PP. There have been some reports where the FDC tried to explain that Platinum was higher that Platinum Premier.

Given PP is believed to be a % of membership, the only goal you can shoot for is to spend more in dollars and nights than 97% of the members... As soon as one goes $0.01 above you, your status may drop.

Hotels are not like airlines where status rigidly determines upgrades.

There have been numerous reports on this forum of Plats checking in next to colleagues who are are Gold and the Gold gets an upgrade and they don't. Because the desk agents have almost complete discretion.

This is an issue that merits a discussion someday. For a couple that travels together, only one can amass lifetime status. At least with United, once you hit a million miles, you can sponsor one other person to your current status. But if i keel over next year, Ms CMCULP is no one at Marriott.....despite hundreds of nights spent (credited to me).

If a couple travels together, there is no point in having two statuses instead of one.

Yes, that is true as long as both are traveling together. However, when they are not, is it fair to penalize the one that did not make the reservation? I typically don't share a room, but if two MR members are sharing a room, why not give at least night credit to both, with points going to the one paying? And in the case where the SO isn't doing the travel, wouldn't it be nice if MR acknowledged them as well? Yes, that may "penalize" the single traveler, but there is a cost to both parties.

I keep hearing reports from people that are doing well over 100 nights a year away from their family. I imagine for many that is quite a sacrifice (although some could be a blessing) not only for the traveler, but the family too. Maybe if there was some gesture, either at say reaching a lifetime level, or death, it would encourage more travel or at least make it less stressful.

It's an interesting angle that maybe MR should explore.

From Marriott's point of view, it is probably a lot simpler to handle status individually. With the divorce rate as high as it is, if it was a status for the family/couple, then Marriott might have to define what a family/couple is. That could be a bigger political headache than it's worth for them.

In that case I could claim my wife stayed with me every time I traveled. No one at Marriott will be doing room checks to see if that is really the case. Perhaps it could work if both parties got credit for .5 nights? Then again, once someone hits Lifetime Plat, they can claim their spouse every time they travel (whether or not they are with them).

I'd like to see the night/stay credit divided equally among the room occupants with the points going to the person who pays the bill. So if a couple share a room for a one night stay, each gets one half night and one half stay credit. If they share a room for two nights, each gets one half of a stay and one night's credit. That would seem to be fair in terms of allocating status to those who travel.

I don't disagree, but why wouldn't someone always claim a spouse/relative/friend once they hit lifetime status?

With a merger and program integration decisions on the horizon, most of what is being suggested here is pie in the sky.

The future of loyalty programs is less choice, rationalized earning schemes and less rich rewards.

Apparently, you don't have to listen to your significant other grump about how they are "nothing" at Marriott.

Because the person has to actually show up and "stay" to get the stay/nights credit.

I think the concern with people traveling together and one getting status is what happens after death or divorce.

So something like enforcing the spouse to check in at the front desk to show their ID?

They could do like they are supposed to be doing now and demand to see the member's MR card (or cell equivalent) at check-in. If arriving separately, then sometime during the stay.

Something to promote the couple being loyal to the brand can have major positives for the company and the member.