IHG vs Marriott
Jan 15, 2017, 2:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
IHG vs Marriott
I wanted to ask all you IHG loyalists, are you staying with IHG or moving to Marriott with the new combination with SPG? Interested in your thoughts.
Jan 15, 2017, 5:53 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,768
I am starting to stay with Marriott as a newly minted Plat. I am more of an IC loyalist than IHG loyalist though.
Just had a fab stay at the Marriott V&A in Manchester which is my new favourite hotel in the City. Suite upgrade from great Corp Rate, free breakfast and half a bottle of wine and nibbles. Unbeatable value.
Just had a fab stay at the Marriott V&A in Manchester which is my new favourite hotel in the City. Suite upgrade from great Corp Rate, free breakfast and half a bottle of wine and nibbles. Unbeatable value.
Jan 15, 2017, 12:03 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,946
Unless RA will be less interesting, I stay loyal to IHG.
Still, I have to admit that Marriott has now a very nice portfolio worldwide.
Still, I have to admit that Marriott has now a very nice portfolio worldwide.
Jan 15, 2017, 7:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,764
I have a hard time figuring out how I would earn as many points at SPG/Marriott?
I can get quite a few points from IHG with their promo's, and the 5K/night rate is often an option for me as it is still well within my limit for my travels.
I can get quite a few points from IHG with their promo's, and the 5K/night rate is often an option for me as it is still well within my limit for my travels.
Jan 15, 2017, 11:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
I've been a Marriott elite for several years. I've used IHG as my #2 plan, primarily for a) locations where MR doesn't have a property but IHG has a HIX, and b) IHG's excellent promotions. MR's SPG acquisition doesn't change this calculus.
Jan 16, 2017, 3:05 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 580
I have been RA since 8-9 years and got my status extended as well at the beginning of the year. However the weakening of the benefits, when I see how the IC Berlin invents view categories, and foremost the unprofessional handling of IHG, e.g. not communicating at all with the clients and leaving them up to a hotline which has no clue either has damaged my confidence in IHG severely. I still continue to stay at some selected properties but it wouldn't surprise me, if I fail this year to have enough nights / spend to renew RA for 2018
I will be shifting more business to SPG / Marriott. It never hurts to have a fallback option.
I will be shifting more business to SPG / Marriott. It never hurts to have a fallback option.
Jan 16, 2017, 9:00 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
I am in the same boat.
Looking at the Marriott program compared to RA I see the following differences:
+ 75 nights, clear criteria for top level, likely easier to achieve then the new IC only criteria because of more 5 star hotels
+ guaranteed lounge + breakfast at all hotels (not only some ICs with lounge upgrade)
= free internet
= 4 pm checkout
? room upgrade - what can I expect
- no 8am check in
- no free minibar
- no free water/fruits
Is this correct?
Looking at the Marriott program compared to RA I see the following differences:
+ 75 nights, clear criteria for top level, likely easier to achieve then the new IC only criteria because of more 5 star hotels
+ guaranteed lounge + breakfast at all hotels (not only some ICs with lounge upgrade)
= free internet
= 4 pm checkout
? room upgrade - what can I expect
- no 8am check in
- no free minibar
- no free water/fruits
Is this correct?
Jan 16, 2017, 10:10 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
I am in the same boat.
Looking at the Marriott program compared to RA I see the following differences:
+ 75 nights, clear criteria for top level, likely easier to achieve then the new IC only criteria because of more 5 star hotels
+ guaranteed lounge + breakfast at all hotels (not only some ICs with lounge upgrade)
= free internet
= 4 pm checkout
? room upgrade - what can I expect
- no 8am check in
- no free minibar
- no free water/fruits
Is this correct?
Looking at the Marriott program compared to RA I see the following differences:
+ 75 nights, clear criteria for top level, likely easier to achieve then the new IC only criteria because of more 5 star hotels
+ guaranteed lounge + breakfast at all hotels (not only some ICs with lounge upgrade)
= free internet
= 4 pm checkout
? room upgrade - what can I expect
- no 8am check in
- no free minibar
- no free water/fruits
Is this correct?
Jan 16, 2017, 11:02 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,768
Not quite correct. Now, because you're comparing against RA, it might be functionally correct for you, I don't know. But Marriott only gives elites free breakfast at certain brands, not all of them. But RA doesn't work at brands other than IC, so for all I know you may only be interested in a few of the brands at Marriott and perhaps all of those brands have free lounge access / free breakfast.
Jan 17, 2017, 2:59 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
At the higher end, there're a lot more hotels under Marriott/Starwood to choose from. However, at the lower end (especially at more remote locations), there're still more IHG hotels (HIX, etc) than Marriott's. Marriott's lower-end hotels also tend to cluster together for some reason, and therefore don't spread out geographically into more remote areas.
Jan 17, 2017, 3:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,764
Does Marriott offer any sort of bonus points rate? I generally book the 5K bonus points rate when I stay at IHG. The points add up very quickly on cheap HI /HIX hotels.
I average 6500 points per night (I switch hotels nightly, if need be). That means in 9 nights, I am getting a free night at Bora Bora, worth $1000/night, as an example. That might be an extreme example, but at a minimum I would be using my points at a $500/night hotel, which means I am averaging $50-100 of value per night, on every $150 night I stay at a separate IHG hotel.
I average 6500 points per night (I switch hotels nightly, if need be). That means in 9 nights, I am getting a free night at Bora Bora, worth $1000/night, as an example. That might be an extreme example, but at a minimum I would be using my points at a $500/night hotel, which means I am averaging $50-100 of value per night, on every $150 night I stay at a separate IHG hotel.
Jan 17, 2017, 9:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
Does Marriott offer any sort of bonus points rate? I generally book the 5K bonus points rate when I stay at IHG. The points add up very quickly on cheap HI /HIX hotels.
I average 6500 points per night (I switch hotels nightly, if need be). That means in 9 nights, I am getting a free night at Bora Bora, worth $1000/night, as an example. That might be an extreme example, but at a minimum I would be using my points at a $500/night hotel, which means I am averaging $50-100 of value per night, on every $150 night I stay at a separate IHG hotel.
I average 6500 points per night (I switch hotels nightly, if need be). That means in 9 nights, I am getting a free night at Bora Bora, worth $1000/night, as an example. That might be an extreme example, but at a minimum I would be using my points at a $500/night hotel, which means I am averaging $50-100 of value per night, on every $150 night I stay at a separate IHG hotel.
