Originally Posted by
Leaving Orange County
Today I am SPG-Plat and HH Diamond. Marriott just gave me (yes gave me - no status matching) PLAT in their program and I am debating whether to lock in to them in 2010
Hilton is good on benefits (lounges/breakfast) but the room upgrades are a real hit or miss. SPG customer services have taken a nose-dive - they outsource to the Philippines and Caribbean countries - I want to talk to people in my own country
Is it even worth pursuing Marriott?
As far as SPG goes I completely agree their Plat service has declined substantially. I say this about the American agents I talk to. The few times I needed their help it was hit and miss. I have leaned that I need to call twice. Once to deal with an issue and the second time to see if the first agent actually did anything. 35% of the time the second agent said the first agent did not do it - example is having wife or daughter name added to reservation in the event they get to the hotel before I do.
I just knocked out 18 nights at the Marriott in the past three months - I dumped Starwood due to several reasons revolving around the poor Plat service. My experience is that the HH, MR, and SPG properties are very similar in the way they treated me. Upgrades at MR are just as plentiful as SPG IME. I need to qualify this by saying 99% of the time I am at least given the elite floor without asking at all three programs. However, when I ask MR for an upgrade I always get it so far.
It all comes down to what your goals are. I cannot understate the importance of hotel program goals. You must make a plan for your hotel program and layout what you want to accomplish. When your goals are clear your decision will be easy.
I have been an HH Diamond for 10 years, SPG Plat for six years, and MR Plat for four months.