Effective April 1 Marriott started a new program to exclude anyone using their Friends & Family program from any points, elite status or stay credits. I was given F&F certificates by a Marriott exec in the hopes of luring me away from the Starwood chain to which I am Gold. Earlier this year, I was upgraded to Gold status with Marriott with the caveat that I stay six stays between April 1 and June 30. What I was not told was that I would no longer receive credit for stays using the F&F certificates given to me by Marriott. Hence, I have stayed four times since April 1 and had three more reservations over next four weeks; I have canceled all of my upcoming reservations as there is just on point; I'll shop other brands as well.
Marriott doesn't seem to realize that frequent travelers stay with them to keep their Elite status; once you take that away, there is no reason to stay there. Actually it drives you even more away to go to the properties that do give you that status. F&F is a limited program that only allows you to stay at properties that have plenty of space; believe me, the selection is very limited. So, I guess me filling an empty room and paying good money for it means nothing, at least that's what I'm being told.
Since I've already achieved my silver status here and have no chance of maintaining my gold; I'm back to Starwood. Try again Marriott when you finally come to the realization that frequent customers are your best customers.