How do you feel when you are checking in and the front desk staff DOES NOT abide by the corporate policies and procedures and do not thank you for your loyalty and do not acknowledge you being a rewards member and your current rewards member status? If you're NOT thanked or acknowledged when checking in, do you say anything? Do you do anything? Do you bring it to the attention of the GM? Do you contact customer service via Twitter? Do you write corporate Marriott? Do you leave it alone?
Throwing around status really isn't all that helpful. It would have to be something important, not just missing my status, but if you don't say something, then you shouldn't complain. I personally have had a few times when someone at the front desk was having a bad day, was over worked, brand new, or just out in la-la land, but once I politely asked about certain benefits and amenities, I quickly got the correct responses. If I don't and it is something real important to me, then it is at that point that I talk with the front desk clerk using their name or ask for their name and ask again for their help to make things right. I then ask to speak with a supervisor/manager if available should I get the death stare. It would have to be something that is a pretty big deal for me to elevate a minor check in issue (like perhaps getting the wrong price for the room) and frankly I don't remember ever having had such a problem. Normally once the front desk staff understand that I'm not going to be shrugged off, they tend to help if for nothing else getting me out of their front desk.