Ben, you are 100% correct. They will monetize this. 24 hours before the stay: “Do you want to upgrade to an ocean view room for $75?” It’s all become a tiring game. Artificially inflated room prices because of the points system, not to mention buying points at discounted rates. You have to do some math to see any given room on any given day, then look at dollar per night and points per night, and math it out. SMH.
What they're actually saying is that, since so many have status, nobody is actually special and you should just stay somewhere else.
I was once told by a snooty idiot at the LAX Westin, "You are JUST a platinum". So basically, a nothing! I canceled my reservation on the spot.
I have lifelong status with them. Rollover from Starwood. I never liked Marriot. Marriot gives major ick to this day. Bunch of reptiles.
I only ever use them in a pinch. I was at an airbnb in Milan last year. I did not like it, so left and Milano was pretty much sold out. Marriot it was, and it was fine...in a pinch. I tend to use them at airports in Europe last minute. Will NOT go out of my way if there are other options.