Being based in Europe most of my stays tend to be at the full service hotels. In terms of status one night at a full service hotel has the same value as one night at a Residence Inn, for example. Reaching gold status or higher is not easy outside the US, especially when most of my business locations do not have any Marriott properties. Some way of recognising this imbalance would be appreciated (though I admit that I cannot think of many practical suggestions).

I think the suite upgrade benefit could work if they included it as a E certificate similar to the 2 for 1 dinner, Get a FREE second night etc...

Back to the OP's discussion on points for incidentals at "2nd tier" Marriott banners--I agree that that would be a benefit to all. Most of the newer CYs are putting in a small pantry section, along with the restaurant, phone, liquor, etc.
I hate it when we get back on the "upgrade to suites" topic. :rolleyes:

An additional idea...
 

Here's another idea for MR: how about discounted weekend awards, a la Starwood? SPG effectively "capacity controls" the awards by limiting them to the level-tier properties: since Marriott has capacity controls in place already, they could extend a weekend discount to higher-tier properties. (If it's truly a peak weekend somewhere, the award rooms will be gone anyway.)

As it currently stands, I never use MR points for weekend awards. I use SPG awards, Marriott EEO/Premium Pounds/Bonus Bucks certs, or Priceline. A modest discount in points comparable to SPG (25-33%) might convince me to redeem for 2 or 3 night stays.

Take a two-nighter at a Cat 3 for 28k. (Since I'm talking Cat 3, high-cost cities like NYC, SFO, etc. are already out the window.) If I value my MR points at a smidge under a penny a point, that means I've got to be completely unable to find a decent bed for $120ish per night before I consider redeeming the award. Problem is: I've never had a problem finding a room at a 3-star hotel for well less than that anywhere, excepting perhaps London and New York. But if they knocked 25% off that award and offered it for 21k, I might find it worthwhile. Now it's comparable to a $90/nt. room. (Okay, I usually don't have any trouble beating $90 either, but I like Marriott and they win when it's close. :))

AMEN TO THAT BROTHER! ^

I love it when I get a suite or other nice upgrade especially when accompanied by family, but could care less whether I get a few extra points for incidentals at a Courtyard. Different strokes... However, I understand those folks who who are hungry for the points and don't mind at all that they post their feelings. ;)

My personal favorites for improvement in the elite program would be as follows:
1. Comped breakfast at Courtyard.
2. Improvements in the concierge lounge offerings both in the morning and the afternoon.
3. Some restraint shown in the prices charged in the concierge lounge for wine, or a coupon system for elites in the alternative.
4. Adding to the list of amenities offered elites at full service checkin: specifically; allow plats/golds to choose either free internet or free parking as an alternative to the current choices.

As to suites, as many of us have observed, upgrades to suites are now just as plentiful or more plentiful than before the written policy was changed to exclude suites. But we all should remember that the reason the suite upgrades threads appeared and re-appeared had explicitly to do with the prior language that golds/plats would be upgraded to the "finest available accomodation." There was no language excluding suites.