Originally Posted by
BrightlyBob
As a European we don't see much of Starwood, but its fairly obvious, even in Continental USA that their coverage is far less than Marriott. If you're travelling to the EU, you might as well forget about Starwood completely, yet whilst Marriott doesn't have anything like USA coverage its quite comprehensive in the UK, and covers the capitals and several other major cities on the continent.
What is to be learned from this? Well SPG seeems extremely popular and very highly regarded, yet its earn/burn ratio provides poor redemption value, next to Marriott. Marriott is constantly being sniped at for lack of upgrades and CL closures, yet its scheme provides much better value in terms of more free nights per $$$ spent.
It would seem we prefer the bennies at the hotel to the points, or at least we do here at FT...
Me, I value my points and enjoy my frequent redemptions
I agree with just about every word of this.
The only thing that would swing it towards SPG not mentioned is that they do have some really nice hotels for rewards, Turnberry in the UK is an example, there are a few in Europe and some nice resort type locations scattered around the Pacific. If you want to save points for a trip of a lifetime, SPG do have some nicer places for that.
However, for me, the stays to free nights ratio is just too much higher than for MR and as I spend 200 nights a year alone in an hotel room, arriving late and leaving early, suites are not a huge benefit. However sufficient points for a good few week's woth of holidays in very nice hotels is important to me.
Also, I do get a free breakfast in a Marriott even when they don't have a Lounge which I didn't get in SPG properties when I was SPG Plat.