Hi, all. For those that do not know, there is a level called Platinum Premier that is supposed to be above the "Platinum" level. The status used to mean something, as I found out, when I first attained it in 2005. I find the status, this time around, to be an insult.
- The "status" is meant to recognize the top 3% of those in the Marriott Rewards program; it used to recognize the top 3% of those with Platinum status;
- The status gets you NOTHING over the regular "Platinum" status.
- It used to be that your Platinum Premier card entitled you to a 10-15% discount in any restaurant in the hotel in which you were staying( it was indicated on the back of the card);
- You would get both arrival gifts (points AND a pantry item and some water);
- The General Manager would make it a point to meet you, personally;
- The staff would actually recognize you as a "Platinum Premier" not just "Platinum".
I just got off the phone with Marriott Rewards and the representative on the other end of the line told me that Platinum Premier gets you nothing over Platinum. It is just a way to recognize the top 3% and that some members like to have the card and "puff out their chest" about the status.
Well, I am not one of those people. If I have "earned" a status, then that status should come with some benefit, otherwise it is an insult. Telling someone that you want to "recognize" their status without any real reward showing that recognition is empty and disingenuous. Why have a "status level" above another one, if the benefits are EXACTLY the same as the "lower" level?
I am curious to hear what other Platinum Premier members think about this and really interested to hear what an official Marriott rep has to say.