Originally posted by rthib:
One other not about the increase in points. The price of rooms have increased so the number of points you earn per night also increases (5 Night @ 100 = 5000 vs 5 Nights @ 200 = 10000 point).
Yes you are spending more money, but also earning more (the whole inflation thing) so compairing point values 20 years ago to today is somewhat flawed.
When I first joined the boards, I often detailed why Hilton was a better fit for someone like me who was not a frequent traveler.
I am truly saddened that MR has now made it all that much more difficult for someone to attain a good reward.
I had hoped that they would have prevailed in their quest to purchase Le Meridien, but that is not to be.
The only ones who I see truly benefiting from these changes are those like IM4 and Trojan who are on the road so much, that a 50% "penalty" for being able to book a reward stay w/o blackouts is not all that much. But, given that Marriott knows who they are, (I think IM4 mentioned in a prior thread, that he was able to accommodate him on a request for the Paris Marriott), so even they are not truly benefiting.
I really do not understand what Marriott is trying to accomplish with these changes as Hilton's promos are getting better and better, and Marriott's 3 stays and 5,000 points is pathetic in light of the 20-25% average increase in points required.
Many loyal Marriot lodgers have pointed out that they can attain the awards almost as fast as a Hilton person would by staying at the respective hotels, but that is only 1/2 the story, as it totally neglects the Hilton promos like the current 50,000 point one, as well as the multiple points you earn by using the 2 Hilton credit cards at the hotels or off property.
Whereas Marriott gives you 3 points for charges at their hotels, Hilton gives you 5 points with their AMEX card. And, if you use the Marriott card elsewhere, you get 1 point per $ whereas you get 3 points per $ with the Hilton AMEX.
Therefore, it is far easier to earn points AND your hotel stays at Hilton.
Further, Hilton gives you FF miles with each stay.
In summation, although MR is not as bad a program as the Bass/HI program, it certainly is not what it was, even for those who happen to travel frequently.
I wish they would change it for the better as I do like a choice, but for all those converts out there, all I have to say, is I welcome your thoughts and input to the Hilton board!