MilesBuzz! - Hilton, Marriott, SPG, Kimpton or other based on my userstats?

I've been into the game of mile running and FF miles for awhile now. However, I've never really given the hotel loyalty programs a shot. I'm posting this here b/c so far it looks like Hilton is the best option for my travel style, but I really want to get a feel from you guys on what you think.

Right now I'm SPG gold [courtesy DL gold medallion offer], Marriot base level [5 nights this year], and base level with all the other hotel loyalty programs with no stays.

My typical pattern of travel is several [10+] short stays a year. Lots and lots of weekend pleasure/mile run trips that average 2-3 days each. Because Hilton begins to give out status at only 4 stays [or 10 nights whichever comes first] it seems an easier program to qualify for/move up. I also like that they give points AND miles and it seems you can redeem for less points than Marriott. With Marriott I think I'm doomed to be base level or at best silver forever since they don't status match and I'm never going to have 50 hotel stays in one year [50! omg!].

I really want to make a go of a hotel loyalty program and so do you agree that Hilton would be best for me? In terms of spending, I try to keep the room costs below $150/night unless i'm in an area where i know it can't be avoided like NYC or a resort. Is Hilton too high end for my budget then?

The other programs i've looked at are choice, kimpton, intercontinental, spg, etc. Maybe you think based on my travel style one of those would be better?

Basically i'm just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Also my travels on these weekend jaunts are all over the place. Hawaii, rome, paris, lima, major us cities, venice, greece, zrh, mad, bcn, etc. So i'd like a chain with worldwide availability.

I bow to the collective FT wisdom. Enlighten me please.

Keep in mind that with most of the larger programs like Hilton, Starwood and Marriott you can move up the elite ladder by getting one of their credit cards. With Hilton you can apply for two different cards and the one gives you Gold with a $20k annual spend without a yearly card fee. The other card (Surpass) card gives you Gold automatically with the chance to make Diamond if you spend $40k but there is an annual fee. With Starwood you have to spend $20k to get Gold and I'm not sure what you get with Marrriott because I don't have one of their cards.

Since keeping the room cost down is a priority, it might rule out Starwood and also Kimpton. I rarely find a Starwood property under $150 on a regular basis and every time I have checked Kimpton the rates have been pretty high too considering they really only have properties in large US cities. Hilton, Marriott and IC have numerous lower end chains in their portfolios so cheaper properties are easier to find.

Just my 2 cents worth but I am sure others will chime in too.

Because it discusses the comparisons between hotel loyalty programs and not necessarily the Hilton HHonors loyalty program specifically, this thread really is better suited for the MilesBuzz! forum, as you will have FlyerTalk members who are members of hotel loyalty programs other than Hilton HHonors that can answer your questions, jenniparks.

A re-direct to this thread will remain in the Hilton forum so that Hilton HHonors members can also answer your questions as well.

Good luck on your decision regarding on which hotel loyalty program to concentrate, jenniparks.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

Because it discusses the comparisons between hotel loyalty programs and not necessarily the Hilton HHonors loyalty program specifically, this thread really is better suited for the MilesBuzz! forum, as you will have FlyerTalk members who are members of hotel loyalty programs other than Hilton HHonors that can answer your questions, jenniparks.

A re-direct to this thread will remain in the Hilton forum so that Hilton HHonors members can also answer your questions as well.

Good luck on your decision regarding on which hotel loyalty program to concentrate, jenniparks.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

Thanks Carnasie. Since i wasn't asking about FF miles i didn't think it would be allowed in milesbuzz, and we didn't seem to have an equivalent hotel loyalty buzz forum. :)

Thanks Carnasie. Since i wasn't asking about FF miles i didn't think it would be allowed in milesbuzz, and we didn't seem to have an equivalent hotel loyalty buzz forum. :)Do not be fooled by the title of the forum.

MilesBuzz! is for hotel points also, and I can understand the confusion.

I rarely find a Starwood property under $150 on a regular basis and every time I have checked Kimpton the rates have been pretty high too considering they really only have properties in large US cities.

Minor point of exception - - Starwood is coming down a bit w/ the spread of aLoft properties, where weekend rates near the airport are pretty commonly under $100. I also like SPG's cash & points options, which are commonly available on weekends for under $75 at about 1/3 the standard point value.

I agree w/ your Kimpton observation.

Marriott & Hilton have the obvious advantage of the Doubletree, Fairfield, Courtyard type properties that tend to cost a touch less.

I prefer Hilton as well, but it is a higher brand than Marriott.

I would also point out that Marriott has two nice offers this year: double credit for stays (5 nights to hit Silver, 13 for Gold, and 43 for Platinum) and if you stay more than those numbers, they carryover into next year.

In speaking as a Marriott Silver v. Hilton Gold, it's a tough comparison. I love the upgraded rooms from Hilton, but I am paying more for the stay. I really like free breakfasts earned at Doubletree, but Residence Inn free buffets (to all guests) is comparable.

Minor point of exception - - Starwood is coming down a bit w/ the spread of aLoft properties, where weekend rates near the airport are pretty commonly under $100. I also like SPG's cash & points options, which are commonly available on weekends for under $75 at about 1/3 the standard point value.
Agree! The problem is that there just aren't that many alofts open yet. The ones I have stayed at have had decent rates on the weekend but weekday rates can be high too. For example I just tried to book either the aloft or element in Lexington, MA for next week and the rates were $152 and $189 respectively. A HI not too far away was $139 and a FI by Marriott was $109. I always check *W first and prefer their hotels but sometimes the price difference is just too much.

I prefer Hilton as well, but it is a higher brand than Marriott.

I would also point out that Marriott has two nice offers this year: double credit for stays (5 nights to hit Silver, 13 for Gold, and 43 for Platinum) and if you stay more than those numbers, they carryover into next year.

In speaking as a Marriott Silver v. Hilton Gold, it's a tough comparison. I love the upgraded rooms from Hilton, but I am paying more for the stay. I really like free breakfasts earned at Doubletree, but Residence Inn free buffets (to all guests) is comparable.

does hilton offer complimentary internet access at a certain level ? it irritates me to no end that marriott charges for access when so many nice comparable hotels and b&b's do not charge for this amenity.

I quit the hilton program in favour of the Starwood, as IMO the properties in the US are simply of a much higher standard.

I would look at where your travels take you, look at the different options, but if you spend a large amount of time in Europe, then you will be deciding between Hilton and Starwood. Hilton properties in Europe are generally much better than in US, and both programs that I have seen have similiar rates. I spend roughly 2 months a year in various hotels around the world.

If you are ever travelling to India, then Starwood is your choice property, as at the moment there are no Hilton's in India

hope that helps:)

I much prefer Marriott--they offer so many extra deals and their points are cheaper to redeem.

does hilton offer complimentary internet access at a certain level ? it irritates me to no end that marriott charges for access when so many nice comparable hotels and b&b's do not charge for this amenity.

At Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts and Doubletree®, choose from:

A space-available room upgrade, including breakfast.**
You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked. Upgrades exclude suites, villas and specialty accommodations. At hotels with Executive Floor lounges, if an Executive Floor room upgrade is available, you will also receive access to the lounge. In addition, you will receive complimentary Continental breakfast for you and up to one additional registered hotel guest each day of your stay.
Enjoy complimentary high-speed internet access, each day of your stay.
At hotels that already offer a choice of a standard or higher-speed connection, you will receive access to the higher-speed connection at no cost. If a hotel does not offer high-speed internet connectivity, simply choose another option.
Earn 1,000 Hilton HHonors® bonus points per stay.
A great way to maximize your points earnings.

At Embassy Suites Hotels® choose from:
Gold VIPs choose two:
Sweet Tooth (two Candy Bars)
Two Bottles of Water
Two Regular Colas
Two Diet Colas
Two Regular Lemon-Lime Sodas
Two Pieces of Fruit
Salty Snack (popcorn, pretzels, etc.)
or
Gold VIPs choose one:
Gold VIPs earn 500 HHonors bonus points.
Complimentary high-speed internet access.

If I'm not mistaken, all Doubletree, Homewood Suites, Hampton and HGI's come with complimentary highspeed internet.

I started last year as Marriott Silver and found it incredibly difficult to earn points. 10 stays/33 nights yielded me a little over 38K Marriott points.

I was transferred to a project that used Hiltons and found myself with Gold status after 10 stays/38 nights. Accrued over 127K HHonors points in that time period.

Its pretty clear that I am the first IHG person to reply.

That being said, I would check out IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club/Ambassador). If you want to earn points quickly, check out Radioman's promo code thread. I earned just over 100k points in about 15 nights. You can qualify for status on points OR nights, so its not hard to get Plat status in 10 nights. The benifits for PC Plat arent as consistent as HH/MR/SPG, but I have never once had a problem redeeming the points, and get upgrades quite often. If you ever feel like splurging on a nice hotel (because you found it on sale), you can always buy Ambassador status, which has all sorts of perks, and includes a BOGO which more than pays for the cost of enrollment.

Personally, the new Holiday Inns or Expresses are nicer than comperable Marriott/Hilton Properties that I have stayed at. Just make sure when you book them that they have the "new" logo and not the old one ;).

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I've mostly given up on hotel loyalty programs. Unless you need the 4* style properties I find that there are way better deals to be had outside the US by avoiding the US-based chains. I just cannot justify spending the extra money for the potential future redemption value. I pay less per night and view that dollar savings as my "points" for the night and in the long run I can afford many more nights than I'd otherwise get for "free" with a loyalty program.

In the US it is slightly different as the off-brand choices seem to be fewer, but if the travel is international I'd consider just skipping the programs.

as I just posted a similar question (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/964543-whats-good-reason-stay-spg-loyal.html#post11904528) about whether to stay SPG loyal so reading input here on the others is great. Want to read more on the credit cards, above, for Hilton but I'm worried about losing the 25K limit on SPG AMEX and not being able to get anywhere close in this credit economy despite a strong FICO.

My typical pattern of travel is several [10+] short stays a year. Lots and lots of weekend pleasure/mile run trips that average 2-3 days each. Because Hilton begins to give out status at only 4 stays [or 10 nights whichever comes first] it seems an easier program to qualify for/move up. I also like that they give points AND miles and it seems you can redeem for less points than Marriott. With Marriott I think I'm doomed to be base level or at best silver forever since they don't status match and I'm never going to have 50 hotel stays in one year [50! omg!].

I really want to make a go of a hotel loyalty program and so do you agree that Hilton would be best for me? In terms of spending, I try to keep the room costs below $150/night unless i'm in an area where i know it can't be avoided like NYC or a resort. Is Hilton too high end for my budget then?

Basically i'm just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Also my travels on these weekend jaunts are all over the place. Hawaii, rome, paris, lima, major us cities, venice, greece, zrh, mad, bcn, etc. So i'd like a chain with worldwide availability.

I bow to the collective FT wisdom. Enlighten me please.

I would LOVE to enlighten you! :D

First, I would like to clarify something for you and all the loyal readers who are not up on the "nomenclature" of hotel loyalty programs. While I suppose that there are some hotel programs which calculate their loyalty or elite levels based on STAYS, the vast majority of hotel programs calculate their elite levels based on NIGHTS! Marriott, which is generally considered to be the largest hotel chain in the world, calculates their elite levels based on the number of PAID NIGHTS! So, dear Jenni, you will not have to achieve 50 stays with Marriott to become a Gold member, you will only need 50 nights! Now, if your trips are comprised of 2 trips per year of 5 nights each, 5 trips per year of 4 nights each, 5 trips per year of 3 nights each, and ten trips per year of 2 nights each, you would be staying in hotels 65 nights per year, which would be far in excess of the 50 nights per year that Marriott requires for Gold Elite. Not so bad, huh? However, it only gets better from here! If you choose the right Marriott Credit Card, you can be credited anywhere from 10-20 nights per year, automatically, just for having, using, and keeping the card, year after year. Now, put that together with the number of nights that you will be staying, as long as it is more than either 55 or 65 nights per year (depending on the card which you choose), you will not just be a Gold Elite member, you will be a Platinum Elite member! Not too shabby, huh? Now for the next little tidbit, give a call to Marriott Elite Customer Care, 800-229-0291 and ask for them to give you a CHALLENGE. A challenge is where you will have to stay in a Marriott chain hotel 18 or 19 nights within a 13 week (3 months) period, and if you do that, you will become a Platinum immediately. Marriott will not do a status match, but they will do a challenge, or at least they have in the past, so give that a try. Keep in mind that Marriott is much more than just Marriott, it is also Courtyard, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Townplace Suites, Springhill Suites, and Marriott Vacation Club, and you can stay in any of those places as long as there is a vacancy, and every night that you stay in those hotels counts towards your room nights balance for your elite levels. I hope that I have been clear enough for you to follow, but if I have not, please let me know!

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I've mostly given up on hotel loyalty programs. Unless you need the 4* style properties I find that there are way better deals to be had outside the US by avoiding the US-based chains. I just cannot justify spending the extra money for the potential future redemption value. I pay less per night and view that dollar savings as my "points" for the night and in the long run I can afford many more nights than I'd otherwise get for "free" with a loyalty program.

In the US it is slightly different as the off-brand choices seem to be fewer, but if the travel is international I'd consider just skipping the programs.

I am finding this may the case for me as well. I managed to talk my way into Gold with Hilton and was given Gold to SPG as part of a Delta promotion but am still having a hard time pulling the trigger on a room in Zurich for example when for $50 less per night I get all the Gold level amenities included free anyway with a non-chain hotel.

I would LOVE to enlighten you! :D

First, I would like to clarify something for you and all the loyal readers who are not up on the "nomenclature" of hotel loyalty programs. While I suppose that there are some hotel programs which calculate their loyalty or elite levels based on STAYS, the vast majority of hotel programs calculate their elite levels based on NIGHTS! Marriott, which is generally considered to be the largest hotel chain in the world, calculates their elite levels based on the number of PAID NIGHTS! So, dear Jenni, you will not have to achieve 50 stays with Marriott to become a Gold member, you will only need 50 nights! Now, if your trips are comprised of 2 trips per year of 5 nights each, 5 trips per year of 4 nights each, 5 trips per year of 3 nights each, and ten trips per year of 2 nights each, you would be staying in hotels 65 nights per year, which would be far in excess of the 50 nights per year that Marriott requires for Gold Elite. Not so bad, huh? However, it only gets better from here! If you choose the right Marriott Credit Card, you can be credited anywhere from 10-20 nights per year, automatically, just for having, using, and keeping the card, year after year. Now, put that together with the number of nights that you will be staying, as long as it is more than either 55 or 65 nights per year (depending on the card which you choose), you will not just be a Gold Elite member, you will be a Platinum Elite member! Not too shabby, huh? Now for the next little tidbit, give a call to Marriott Elite Customer Care, 800-229-0291 and ask for them to give you a CHALLENGE. A challenge is where you will have to stay in a Marriott chain hotel 18 or 19 nights within a 13 week (3 months) period, and if you do that, you will become a Platinum immediately. Marriott will not do a status match, but they will do a challenge, or at least they have in the past, so give that a try. Keep in mind that Marriott is much more than just Marriott, it is also Courtyard, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Townplace Suites, Springhill Suites, and Marriott Vacation Club, and you can stay in any of those places as long as there is a vacancy, and every night that you stay in those hotels counts towards your room nights balance for your elite levels. I hope that I have been clear enough for you to follow, but if I have not, please let me know!

The reason I was more attracted to stays is that in the hotel programs that count loyalty by stays, it takes a lot less stays then nights to bump up a level. For example, i think with Hilton you only need 4 stays to go to silver, which could represent as few as 4 nights, whereas for Marriott you need 10 nights.

Before I started researching this, Marriott was the only chain I really ever stayed at recently when I stayed at a chain. Consistent quality, terrific staff, good prices, etc. But their loyalty programs sort of stink for someone like me because I'm never going to make 50 nights for Gold. Also I'm sort of discouraged by their rewards service reps/managers. After a Delta promotion gave me Gold status with SPG flat out [I've never actually stayed with them but am going to do so soon based on the perks i will now get as gold for doing so] I called Hilton's rewards dept and explained the situation and they matched flat out immediately. Poof, I am Gold with Hilton which normally takes 36 nights or something. This was fantastic, and has now also caused me to consider them along with SPG for nights on future trips. However, I called Marriott rewards, and despite the fact that out of all 3 of these chains Marriott is the only one I've actually stayed with [8 nights this year], they refused to budge an inch. They wouldn't even comp me silver, much less gold. They told me to call back when I'm silver and then they will issue me a challege whereby I can then make gold with only half the nights required. That's still 25 nights or something before the end of the year. We have 2 long trips this year- one staying natl park lodges in the west for a week as we see the sights [there isn't even a marriott there so its not an option] and a week and a half on a cruise in venice where we will only have 2 nights before the cruise in a hotel in the city. So I just won't have that kind of opportunity to build nights as the rest of my weekend trips total up to only 10 nights before the end of the year. I feel like its a *lot* harder to earn loyalty perks with hotels [well except for awesome Hilton and spg that gave me gold] than it is with airlines.