Gold Status for me is worthless
 

I tried to do a search on this but I couldn't get it to work. I think since attaining gold status two years ago, I've been "upgraded" to a concierge level room twice. This weekend in Portland really made me upset when I was told the best they could do is the floor below the concierge level. I rode up the elevator last night with another couple that checked in on friday, without status, paying the same rate I did (AAA), and they were upgraded. What gives with Marriott? Do I just have bad luck?

Yes, I am just a gold, but I would have expected better than this. I stayed at the Marriott in Sommerset, NJ a few weeks ago. Their concierge floors are 6-12, yet they couldn't upgrade me. The best they could do is a room on the 2nd floor looking out at the air conditioner for the ballroom. They said I was lucky to get my requested room type, and there were no better rooms. They were actually kind of rude about it too... I find it hard to believe that there were that many mariott platinums that night, but if there are, then I feel bad for the silver marriott guests. They must have to sleep in the meeting rooms on tables.

When checking into the Renaissance Las Vegas, I was told they couldn't upgrade me because none of the rooms on the concierge level have two beds. Is that true?

Anyway, with all the changes that Crowne Plaza has made, I think it's a better value and I am ALWAYS upgraded. I even got upgraded on a reward stay at the Willard Intercontinental to a suite. Yes I am Platinum with them, but I got to platinum status with less nights than it took to maintain Gold with Marriott, as PCR allows you to earn status with points or nights.

Any other marriott golds have better success?

When I was Gold, I think I was 0 for 4 on rooms on the C floor. All in the same hotel, FWIW. As a Plat, I'm somewhere between 50-75%.

However... As a Gold, you should always get complimentary access to the C. lounge even if your room is physically on a different floor. So not worthless. It just means a couple of extra elevator rides.

The main benefit of the Marriott program is the GUARANTEED access to the Club lounge starting from the Gold. Other programs DO NOT guarantee the access for their top tiers even if they do provice the access most of the time.

Also the IC Group has a greater quality variety. Some of the CP's can be nice but some of them should have been demolished long time ago.

It is true that getting the Platinum with the Priority Club is easy because of all "unofficial" promotions FT'ers are signing up.

The PC Plat status means absolutely nothing at the InterContinental hotels, however. You must sign up for the Ambassador program.