Originally Posted by
jbcarioca
That is probably because I'd rather be in a Westin or a Meridien than in a Hilton or Embassy Suites, and has little to do with the program. Both of them generally deliver more than the letter of the program rules states. Come to think of it, only Marriott Platinum sticks to the rules, but the rules aren't onerous anyway.
In my experience, Hilton rarely goes above and beyond (I can think of two instances in a decade)--whereas Marriott sometimes surprises me with a suite (I can think of at least ten instances). Have statyed close to 1,000 nights in Marriotts and Hiltons in the past decade.
For example--at one recent stay at the Marriott La Jolla, I was given a huge suite for a single four night stay. Around the same time frame I have had four4-nightstays at the Hilton Torrey Pines (also in La Jolla)--and each time I get the requisite upgrade overlooking the pool rather than a "garden" view. Free breakfast was available in both instances--with the Marriott having a lounge, and Hilton allowing the buffet breakfast (but requiring an additional fee for the hot component).
I have found that Hilton now allows one to request upgrades at the time of booking--and there is always the one level upgrade option that is free to HHONORS elites (which I assume is for Silver and Gold as well). And that's exactly what I get. Nothing more, nothing less.
So I guess Hilton is saying to Diamonds that they either pay for the fancy treatmentstandard room with a marginally better "view".
So bottom line--I feel more appreciated as a Platinum with Marriott than as Diamond by Hilton. And it's getting worse with the latter--but that is in keeping with the overall direction of the program.