i redeemed over 1 million Marriott points on their travel package during the last two years. It has good value especially when US airway and delta has transfer bonus. One package I redeemed last march: 270000 marriott points get 180000 US airway miles plus seven nights in category 5 hotel.
The point value in this kind of redemption can be as high as 1.3-1.5 cents per points.
Considering you get at most 4 SPG points per dollar and 6.5 Hyatt points per dollar, you can get 15 points per dollar spending in Marriott. And all platinum member will get free full breakfast and internet outside US. 60% of my stay in Marriott got upgraded. I remember last december I stayed in singapore marriott for 13 days and they upgraded us to a junior suite although I paid lowest rate. It is very generous.
And you can get at least 15% discount if you know how to buy cheap Marriott gift card.
I usually stayed in international marriott. They are somewhat expensive but if you know how to take advantage of its promotion, you get better value compared to SPG and hyatt.
Hilton is a little different. If you can make good use of hilton points like axon and glon, you can also get good value from it.
Originally Posted by
jr1202sr
Well SPG gives 500 pts upon Arrival. That is worth about 1500 marriott pts approximately. They also give benefits at RESORTS so if you travel in FLORIDA/Carribean you don't get screwed like you do via Marriott. They give the BEST Room available always for upgrade. They have 7 day a week lounges/breakfast. Their CC option allows you to stay at a hotel you actually would want to and they recognize the St. Regis as if it were just another chain open to upgrades, etc. I could go on and on. Fact is Marriott may have a bigger footprint, may have a few nicer hotels, but that doesn't overide what it doesn't have.