Hilton HHonors - Stay at Hilton or move to Sheraton?

I'm really a Marriott guy, but the current project has me staying at a Hilton. There is a lot of dissatisfaction among the team with the property to the point that someone has negotiated a similar rate at a local Sheraton.

I have the option to stay or move. Lots of pros and cons:

Stay at Hilton:
- I feel like I'm "pot committed" to the Hilton. I've quickly earned Diamond status, although with so many of us business travelers, it really means nothing more than lounge access.
- I've got about 100,000 points (to go along with a bigger balance at Marriott). Do I really need points in a third program? (and this is the biggest issue for me)
- they do have a weekly managers reception, which actually is kinda nice
- Do I want to be the martyr who stays behind while everyone moves over to the Sheraton? There doesn't seem to be a Marriott option in my future.

Leave the Hilton:
- the place really is unappealing. They are going through a renovation, but it's really only on the surface. The bathrooms are still a mess and service is mediocre at best.
- breakfast in the lounge is the same lousy, boring food every single day (would it kill them to put out sausage once a week...or maybe pancakes). Heck, we pretty much do Starbucks every morning anyway.
- the Sheraton has indicated they'll offer up a points promo to make it more attractive to move over

If the Sheraton could have been an option one month into this project, I would have moved in a heartbeat. But now I'm not so sure.

With the usual caveats aside ("only you know what's best for you"), what would you do?

Thanks

I feel for your situation. Having been top-tier in four different programs and on my own dime, it's nice having a choice of where to stay. However, as my nights started to drop I've had to do some sole-searching to decide which program(s) do the best for me.

Destinations became the major factor. Although SPG does not have a huge offering around the world, they do have properties where I spend most my time. And if there's not an SPG, there is usually a MI pretty close.

Program benefits were the next area I looked at. SPG just added a whole bunch of new benefits for higher night counts. Not that I expect to meet many of them, at least I feel they are trying. HH has hosed their program to the point there is no telling what you will find where and when. MR is missing the boat in providing actual benefits and just don't seem to care (i.e. latest Cash & Points - at rack rate only).

Customer Service was high on my list too. I don't expect any of the programs to be error free (although it would be nice) but it's how they handle issues when they come up that matters. CP misses that point all too often, so my saying is Choice is my LAST choice. SPG has been very good at addressing issues and having the active participation of the Lurkers on FT keeps them on top. MR has failed to deliver many times, both with providing a good web service and they have all but completely given up on FT in favor of their own in-house controlled (read censored) Insiders board.

Yes, the final decision is up to you. Deternine what you want and what you are willing to put up with and you will have your answer. Being able to leverage more than one program just adds to your options if you can swing it.

Very good post RogerD408. Since you have earned HHonors Diamond until Feb 2014 I would go for SPG Platinum. You could get a staus match challenge and have Spg platinum very quickly until Feb 2014. Two other considerations is 1) If you did not register for the SPG promo ending Sep 30 2012 you will have to wait until Oct 1 2012 for the new promo. Where you are probably registered for the HHonors double/triple until Sep 30. (2) Consider who has the better properties where you want to redeem and the points cost for redeening at those properties. Hope this helps.

I personally love Sheraton hotels and find SPG's program to be superior for VIP treatment.

I am in the same boat. I am Hilton Diamond, MR Plat, and SPG Plat. I have just re-qualified for Diamond with Hilton and Marriott Plat. But I'm trying to decide whether to continue on with the Marriott promotions, which are pretty good right now- or to requalify for SPG. I will requal for SPG gold with a few more nights. But to requal for Plat will take a lot more commitment. However, I have not had many opportunities with SPG this year because of where I've traveled to, unfortunately. But I do really like their program, and I agree that they tend to value their platinum level far more than Hilton. I think Hilton pretty much sucks these days. Yes, they tend to hand out more points, but it sure seems to take a lot more to get the free nights. To me the best part of Hilton Diamond is the free breakfast, but that's the same as just getting Hilton Gold. So I really don't see a lot of value in being a Diamond. If I were you, and had the choice, I would do what was said- ask for a challenge to SPG Platinum and then make the switch. And SPG just released their new promo for Q4 which will be triple starpoints for stays of 3 nights or longer (double for stays of 1 or 2 nights). That's probably a lot better than anything Hilton will offer. Just make sure you check the list of hotels that are not participating, to ensure the Sheraton you are staying at is participating. And then push the Sheraton to give you bonus points for staying there. I think that would be the best decision, and I think you'd really enjoy the benefits of becoming a platinum with SPG. Just my two cents.

Here is the link to the new SPG promo:
https://spgpromos.com/betterbythenight/?action=main.comingsoon&language=en_us

Be sure to check the link of non-participating hotels.

Get in to the SPG program now, you'll enjoy the benefits and service that much sooner.

Similar boat. I will easily make HHonors Diamond and SPG Platinum but when evaluating where I want to vacation in the next year, the Starwood Properties seemed nicer so I will be concentrating my points earning there. The new promo should help somewhat as well. I also get super bored staying in the same place too long so use this as an opportunity for a change of scenery.

It sounds like you already made up your mind to go with SPG. 100k Hilton points isn't a lot--you can't redeem for the AXON award. Still, if you have few SPG points, it's good to diversify. People like SPG for the rewards. IMO, I'm treated better as Hilton Gold than SPG Plat.

Thanks for the feedback. Good info to digest.

It sounds like you already made up your mind to go with SPG. Interesting you saw that in my post. I really haven't...but maybe I did. :p

I actually still am undecided. Many of the team have already made their choice and are moving next week.

I too Concur that Starwood has some amazing overseas properties but so does Hilton but just not as many. It seems to me that it takes a whole lot more nights at Sheratons which are harder to find in parts of the USA as there are plenty of hamptons, hilton garden inns and other Hilton hotels which makes it easier to rack up the points. Hilton has been awesome in the last year at offering free nights and I racked up a lot.

Starwoods current promo is lame. I just dont have the availability of hotels as I do Hiltons and thus cannot rack up as many nights/stays in smaller US cities. That is why Hilton makes it easier for me.

If there were more starwood properties perhaps I would consider Starwoods frequent guest program and as a Platinum Hilton member, I feel sure they would status match but it is just going to take me a long time to get as may points as I can with Hiltons because of the number of hotels available.

I would hold off until the next promo announcement for Q4. You are getting double/triple points right now with Hilton and if they offer the Free Nights Q4, I would go that route. Hiltons are better for me with availability in a lot of the places I go around the world but I would look at where I travel for work and make a decision based on that as well. (Of course, this is assuming the Hilton you are in right now is participating as many aren't.)

I'm really a Marriott guy, but the current project has me staying at a Hilton. There is a lot of dissatisfaction among the team with the property to the point that someone has negotiated a similar rate at a local Sheraton.

I have the option to stay or move. Lots of pros and cons:

Stay at Hilton:
- I feel like I'm "pot committed" to the Hilton. I've quickly earned Diamond status, although with so many of us business travelers, it really means nothing more than lounge access.
- I've got about 100,000 points (to go along with a bigger balance at Marriott). Do I really need points in a third program? (and this is the biggest issue for me)
- they do have a weekly managers reception, which actually is kinda nice
- Do I want to be the martyr who stays behind while everyone moves over to the Sheraton? There doesn't seem to be a Marriott option in my future.

Leave the Hilton:
- the place really is unappealing. They are going through a renovation, but it's really only on the surface. The bathrooms are still a mess and service is mediocre at best.
- breakfast in the lounge is the same lousy, boring food every single day (would it kill them to put out sausage once a week...or maybe pancakes). Heck, we pretty much do Starbucks every morning anyway.
- the Sheraton has indicated they'll offer up a points promo to make it more attractive to move over

If the Sheraton could have been an option one month into this project, I would have moved in a heartbeat. But now I'm not so sure.

With the usual caveats aside ("only you know what's best for you"), what would you do?

Thanks

I'm currently at a Hilton property that is nice .. and much more convenient than the local SPG properties, otherwise, I would be staying at an SPG property. If you're not happy with the Hilton, that makes the choice easier.

As others have mentioned, the Q4 promo(s) between the 2 would definitely factor in, as well. I could go for a Free night promo if that is in the cards!

All things being equal from a promo perspective, for where we prefer to vacation, I find redemption options to be much better with SPG. For instance, travelling to Rome and Paris we've definitely been please with the SPG options (Hotel Eden, Rome Excelsior, Le Meridien E'toile), with a real lack of Hilton options to even consider ... and where Hilton options do exist, the points don't translate into as much value (YMMV).

If I were traveling to London with any frequency, I'd probably reconsider since Hilton has some great options there !

I'm sure I'd get debate on the subject of Hawaii options, but there as well, I much prefer the options available with SPG.

Anyway, for me, apart the preference for the weekly travel option, it depends on if, how and where you vacation ... and for those locations which chain has the properties and redemption values.

As a lowly gold member in both, in terms of benefits, upgrades, treatment, etc. my experience has been Hilton Gold >> SPG Gold. Don't know about the other tiers so this may not apply to to you.

My experience at Sheratons has been horrible, but SPG as a whole I think is a very strong program.

One other twist: if you plan to spend your Hilton points in the US, probably SPG is better. if you plan on travelling abroad for your holiday and stay on points, go for Hilton. Hiltons are exponentially better in Europe and in Asia, where the free breakfast (full proper breakfast in most places), internet and upgrades are a significant benefit.