Please excuse the topic of this post if it has already been discussed somewhere. I looked around, but didn't exactly know what category it might fit into and didn't see anything.
As is well known, to reach the next elite level, it's all about the number of nights. Nights are achieved as either nights stayed or one of various types of bonus nights. I don't know this for a fact, but it would seem that higher-priced properties generate more revenue in all departments and are thus more profitable. Therefore, it would seem beneficial to Marriott to incent nights stayed at the higher-priced properties. As it stands now, all paid nights are rewarded the same (1 night). Why not reward based on the amount paid for the night stayed? For instance:
$0 - $250 = 1 night
$251 - $500 = 2 nights
$500+ = 3 nights
(or something like this).
Does anyone know if this has been suggested to or already discussed by the powers that be?
Keep in mind that while nights are what earn elite status (no matter the price), points are earned based on dollars spent. In the long run, higher paid nights will lead to higher points which will turn into free nights considerably faster than lower priced stays.
So there is somewhat of a built-in incentive (by earning more points) to pay for higher priced rooms. You offer an interesting suggestion, though I suspect it will likely not be given much consideration.
Also keep in mind that if using the MR credit card, it would only take 6 nights at $500 to reach $3000 and for each $3k spent on the card, you earn an additional elite night (not to mention the 5x points on charges at Marriott).