MilesBuzz! - Hilton v. SPG v. Ritz v. Marriot nights?

I have some Amtrak points that I need to use - which option would you choose?

A. 60K Hilton Honors points (bumping my account bal to 85K)
B. 1 night @ SPG Cat. 4 hotel
C. $300 Ritz Carlton Gift Cert.
D. 2 Marriott anytime flexnights (not sure what a flexnight is)

Leaning towards A, though C is tempting.

Note to Mods: This is not an Amtrak question but rather a hotel program comparison question, so I think this forum is appropriate.

Personally, I'd go for the Hilton points. With your 80K, you can book 2 nights at any top property in the world.

I would go for the Hilton points, especially if you can use them wisely at at cat. 1 or 2 hotel.

I would take the Hilton points also. Its the best value for the points.

I would go for the Hilton points, especially if you can use them wisely at at cat. 1 or 2 hotel.

Are there any Cat. 1 or 2 left after the changes in Hiltons hotel categories planned for June?

http://www.hiltonhhonors.com/processLanding.aspx?lp=categorychange

Seriously the Hilton option is probably the best option for 2 nights at a Cat. 6 hotel.

IMHO the Marriott route isn't a good choice because the hotels which accept Flex awards are mostly their lower end properties. There are very few Marriotts and Renaissance hotels listed in the link below. Mostly Courtyards, Fairfields, etc.

http://marriott.com/incentives/stayAwards/locationList.mi?awardType=FlexAnytime&title=Flex%20Americas%20Award%20Location%20List

If you have the opportunity to earn Amtrak points regularly, I personally would try and get another 5k points to go for the Ritz free night award.

Marriott Anytime Flex nights are basically awards that are "free" of any capacity controls. However beware that there must be a specified type of room avaible i.e, standard room (not sure of the exact term)

If that is not available you will not be able to use the award. So just b/c you see space available online, doesn't mean you will get a room.

Its basically an award at 150% of the regular (lower) award rates. I think (not sure though) you can use at any cat hotel. :confused: