Marriott Rewards - Marriotts vs Hiltons for Next Year

Posted this on the HH board, but would like input from here as well.

At the end of last year I was shy for HH Gold by 2 nights. I asked for a comp bump to Gold for 2009 but was flat out rejected, even though I pointed out that I had already booked some upcoming Hilton stays and didn't they consider brand loyalty a positive given the economy.

A few months later I received a challenge from Marriott - Gold through 2/11 if I stayed 12 times within 3 months. That was a no-brainer.

As I approach the end of 2009, I will have made HH Gold anyway for 2010 and now also have MR Gold as well. The question is - assuming I might not have enough choice to make Gold on both again - where do I spend my nights?

With Hilton, I rarely stay at a flagship, usually ending up at a HGI, Hampton or ES. Even there, there are some perks for being gold but I rarely get to take advantage of upgrades and a concierge level - which is what I value most. Besides, with the new concierge lounge policy for golds (breakfast only if no CL rooms available - no access to the CL), not sure how many times I'd make it in anyway.

With Marriott, I usually stay at a FS so get access to the CL which, as I said, I really like and is of the most value to me. In the next tier down, I prefer HGI to Courtyard and Hampton to Fairfield.

Any thoughts from this board as I start planning stays into 2010?

There are three questions:

Where are you going to be staying to earn points?

Where do you desire to burn points?

What elite status perks are important to you?

If the HH properties are more convenient/cheaper than the MR properties (or vice versa), it would be hard to justify using the other program. You said that you typically stay in the lower-end HH properties and I find them better, brand-for-brand, than the MR properties.

If there is a dream vacation you have planned that only HH or MR has a decent property, I could see you steering the business towards that goal. Keep in mind the redemption rates may not be the same, with HH properties typically requiring more points.

As you have noticed, elite perks at MR full-service properties are more consistent than full service HH properties. None of this "My way" and "Nor1" cr@p of HH. Elite perks at limited service properties aren't that great for either, except for HGI which offers a full breakfast or 750 points as their "My way" option and greatly exceeds any limited service MR property perk.

If you have the option of staying primarily full service MR properties (which it sounds like you do), that would be my pick.

I'd also prefer a Marriott gold (lounge access / free breakfast) to Hilton gold (random draw) but keeton's points are the important ones... its all down to personal preference - a gold at Marriott is worth more, but, its a lot easier to get gold at Hilton too if that matters (50 nights vs what, 16 stays/36 nights).

Plus, recently with the Hilton devaluation its been more worthwhile sticking with Marriott - they seem to treat their members better (this is a general thought rather than based on specific facts) - though Hilton does have some perks it only really comes when you get to diamond whereas Marriott seems to treat their golds well, and general 'elite' customers much better than the Hilton chain. Even as a Hilton diamond I have to choose between welcome points and lounge access at some hotels - I personally don't think that is a good way to reward your best customers and is quite against the concept of lounge access. Having said that, the diamond 'force' award stay is a nice perk - but all beyond your gold status.

PS: If you say could get gold at Marriott then if you're willing to skip between hotels most nights of the week with those 50 nights you could always get Hilton diamond with only 28 stays.

As a HH Diamond and MR Platinum (and about 850 lifetime nights in both chains), I vote for MR.

I could write a very long thread on this.

But at the end of the day it boils down to this....

MR seems to covet its most loyal customers, whereas HH seems to demonstrate disdain for it most loyal customers.

When MR announced its devaluation just as the economy was turning south last year, it increased the Platinum bonus for everybody in perpetuity from 30% to 50%. When Hilton annouced its devaluation right in the thick of the worst recession known to anyone in this generation, it offered select Diamond members one free night to be used within a short period of time, period.

MR rewards its most long term loyal customers with lifetime elite status. HH rewards its most long term loyal customers with nothing.

I observe MR's program retaining high standards and excellence in service. In contrast, HH is plummeting fast, and clearly the worst managed of the major chains' loyalty programs.

Marriott for sure. Hilton is going down especially after announcing a whopping 20-25% devaluation of points :td:
HH Gold is a hit and miss whereas MR Gold delivers every time. I found the guarantees lounge access to be most valuable.
My game plan is to get > 50 night with Marriott this year (55 projected) and keep HH Gold through Amex spending.

and keep HH Gold through Amex spending.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. One of the challenges is that a) I don't always get to choose and those making the choice seem to go for Hiltons more than Marriotts and b)I do a lot of one-night stays so HH status was easier to earn based on stays vs nights.

From the posts, it would seem - and I agree - that Marriott is the superior program. I was Plat for a couple of years back in the 90s and was treated like royalty.

cfischer - could you please clarify how you're getting HH Gold on Amex spending? I have the AMEX Plat card which I use exclusively and would love to do MR on nights and HH on spending.