When you say Hyatt is known for great elite treatment, I assume you're talking Diamond only, right? Having never held that status, what's the best thing about it? Is it the 4(?) annual confirmed suites? As an outsider, that's the one I would covet the most...one that none of the big three provide at their top-tiers. (Although SPG's ability to upgrade awards to junior suites for a small amount of points is nice. Getting to a true suite is doable but expensive.)

I think IHG is the world leader...or close to it...for total locations.

My only disagreement on the apples/oranges thing is that if you know your own stay patterns and your own desired awards, you can somewhat baseline the valuations and get it down to maybe Red Delicious vs. Jonathan. I mean, I think it's an exercise people should undertake for themselves to confirm that they're aligned to a program that's rewarding them well.