This has been a real issue for me--Marriott vs Hilton in the last two years. I'm still a die-hard Hilton, but for whatever reason, Hilton has just been less generous with allowing a true state rate (not a gov't rate--those are almost always higher).

Case in point....going to Woodland Hills next week. The Hilton (which I have always really liked--mostly because of the awesome gym and nice lounge) won't even budget to the state rate. Marriott @ Warner Center did budge...they allowed all 4 of us to get the state rate--Hilton didn't care...said "no." Same thing for the next week, this time downtown LA. Hilton Checkers--no way....no paultry state rate for you guys. Downtown LA Marriott--heck, I didn't even have to call and beg for the rate...it was right on line!

Incidentially, I will say this about Marriott. When it comes to exec lounge at a FS Marriott vs. a FS Hilton, from my limited experience (in the states anyway), Marriott kicks a**. It kind of feels like the Hilton exec lounges that we go to OUT of the states! Just spent a week at the San Mateo Marriott Airport....wow. What service. And the exec lounge? Total quality over crap quantity! And while breakfast is wasted on me (just give me some fresh fruit and yogurt)....the breakfast provided in the FS Marriott's would satisfy anyone. Everyday, they had bacon (some of the leanest bacon I'd ever seen), sausage, some sort of egg mcmuffins, lox, capers, asparagus wrapped in melon and prociutti (sp) and hard boiled eggs (yes!!!!), some of the best fresh mango I've ever tasted on the planet, danishes, cereals, etc. That said, I just grabbed a couple hard boiled eggs and fresh mango, but my point is that I haven't seen a FS Hilton have a spread like this in a very long time...and certainly, none in the states (anyone else?).

I hope I don't lose my Diamond w/Hilton this year, but I don't know if I will be able to maintain my Gold w/Marriott. Marriott doesn't play that night or stay game--like another poster pointed out, it is nights, PERIOD. So basically, don't bother with a "mattress run" to help you out toward the end of a CY. With Hilton, if you are getting close to a status, you can break up a week stay and get 2, 3 or 4 nights (whatever your energy level or need may be) out one one week's stay. Also, Marriott does not count you award nights toward your status--Hilton does.

I have read where others say they can earn points much faster w/Marriott. I don't get this. It simply does not apply to my case. As Diamond w/Hilton, I get a 50% bonus, plus another 50% bonus because I have selected "My Way." And of course, then I use my AMEX Hilton and earn that way. And for the poster that used 35k points @ a Hampton....I would just say, why? That's like a bag of apples costing $5.00, but if you pull one out and by it singlely, you pay $3.50! They may just not understand how to use points or have so many points to burn that it doesn't matter. I can't even imagine a time where I would use Marriott or Hilton points for anything other than an award so to use points for a night here or there, for me, is just a really bad way to burn points.

I don't like that when I stay at a Residence Inn, I only get 50% points because it is considered an "extended stay." The Homewood Suites is pretty much identical and they don't give you less points.

Someone already mentioned the issue with the elites not getting perks @ Marriott resort properties...Hilton doesn't do that. The only time where you are not provided the breakfast is at the Waldorf properties. Although recently, they have changed the rules as it relates to access to the executive lounge--great if you are a Diamond--not so good if you are a Gold. It used to be Gold's and Diamond's were treated pretty much first come first serve, and depending on occupancy, etc., some Gold's would get access and some Diamond's would be denied. That doesn't happen anymore. Diamond's are guaranteed access to the Exec Lounge, period. Gold's--maybe yes, maybe no, depending on availability.

Hilton status was based on a rolling tier (not a calendar year) for a few years until this last year. It was a bummer. I wouldn't even be worried about losing my Diamond w/Hilton had they stayed on the rolling tier. But now that they have reverted to a calendar year, it's a fight to the finish for me.

I really don't know what this year will hold. I have the Visa that will give me 15 nights toward my status, which Hilton does not, but I don't need that with Hilton because they allow award stays and stays and/or nights to count so I have a couple of options toward the time where I have to figure out how to maintain my status.

One of the reasons I even started to stay w/Marriott nearly two years ago was because of the same exact reason I described above--Hilton was not budging on the state rate and the Marriott properties seem to be more giving when it came to state rate. Trust me, there are times when I wouldn't mind paying a little more for a nice Hilton, but I travel in groups and if we are sharing a car, you really need to stay at the same property, and my coworkers are not going to pay any additional out of pocket expenses if they do not absolutely have to. In California, we have already taken a huge hit with a mandated two-day furlough. My spouse works for the state as well and that is $600+ net less every month, so no one I know is going to pay more just to get that Hilton!

It will be interesting to see what happens this year. I may end up downgrading to Gold with Hilton, but possibly holding on to my Gold for another year w/Marriott.

Dawn