Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - MR > SPG? (NYC traveller)

I have been trying to make a selection on hotel loyalty program and it seems that rather than plainly saying which is "best".... it seems to depend on staying patterns, area and likelyhood of making it successful.

I would really like to attempt for SPG Challenge but MR seems to be more logical choice for my location. I will be doing 5-6night/week stays for next couple of months in Manhattan (midtown/downtown). Given the tourist area, I think the likeliness for getting suite upgrades even SPG plat is gonna be pretty low. Added alongwith is lesser availability of SPG properties compared to Marriott in Manhattan. Since this is corporate travel, bookings need to be help with AMEX so the company can get their kickbacks (no Marriot/SPG CCs).

I intend to do my redemption on personal travel where SPG seems to have an edge with nicer properties but MR seems to have better prices/availability in Manhattan. It wouldn't be helpful if I try to achieve SPG status and then have to stay in Marriott half the time. Am I on the right path here? Help a new fella out in this crazy world of loyalty programs.

Is NYC the only place you travel to for business?
If so, are you required to book with Marriott?
What is your daily allowance for hotels? If you don't mind having to travel to/from the hotel, I'm sure that you could find something in your price range with SPG.

Is NYC the only place you travel to for business?
If so, are you required to book with Marriott?
What is your daily allowance for hotels? If you don't mind having to travel to/from the hotel, I'm sure that you could find something in your price range with SPG.

Mostly NYC (if not all). I am not really interested in staying downtown or out of the city when I have to work there.

There is no allowance. Bookings are done at a corporate agreed rate through AE. So if property doesn't have anything under that rate for the week, I move on the next property.

I can stay with any of the bigger chains (MR, SPG, HH). No boutiques. Thats the whole point of the thread!! I am trying to seek help on my decision if MR is the right program for me.

The real question then is will you have the flexibility to focus all your stays at one chain? If Marriott tends to have lower prices and your company TAs will send you to the lower cost options, then it sounds like Marriott will be your choice.

If you have the flexibility to consistently choose between the two, then it really depends. What I might do is look what what my estimated points accruals would be with each program (over your next few months trips.) And include Promo bonus point from the various promotions going on at both right now. Then once you have an estimation of your points, I'd look at where I might want to use those points and see which one best what/where I'd like to use those points.

If you go with Marriott and are not already Platinum, you should easily make Platinum by calling and enrolling in the Taste of Platinum challenge (18 nights in 3+ months). You get upgraded immediately upon enrolling so you will get Platinum benefits right away.