Originally Posted by
TRAVELSIG
If you are looking at the upper end of SPG- in the countries you have listed LHW is very worthwhile- if the properties work for you I recommend purchasing their entry level leaders club card which gets you free continental breakfast for 2 everyday, free internet access (which still can be very expensive in Europe), a free night for every five paid stays, and from time to time some very good upgrades (and sometimes nothing at all). In Riga and Tallinn I stay at LHW hotels.
Thanks Travelsig, this was a unique idea and gave me food for thought. I decided to forgo joining this however, as I have stayed in their properties before however they are usually too pricey for me. As such I didn't want to pay $125 when I may not use it (unless there is a great deal).
However, your suggestion made me recall another similar site (so thanks!) And after perusing it i did join their loyalty program. It's called slh.com and it was free. They give room upgrades on first stay, and then internet and breakfast thereafter. They seem to have a bunch of properties in Eastern Europe. Although they also may bee too expensive for me, at least there was no upfront cost if I don't end up staying with them.
Originally Posted by
KittyCat
Was in similar boat when last year travelling in Baltics & then Poland: opted for Club Carlson, and extremely happy about them (easy match from SPG plat to CC gold, and from there nice hotels, great service & a couple of pretty wild upgrades, even if the latter is not considered as a guaranteed benefit of CC). SPG will remain primary & well on track for requal, but actually trying to maintain the CC status as well thanks to nice experiences
Thanks, after checking the properties on most of the large chains I've decided to do the status match with Club Carlson. It's good to know that you like their benefits. One question, are status matches good 1x only? Per what term? Life? Also, do you choose to collect their points or redeem for airline miles. Seems like they offer a choice.
Originally Posted by
3Cforme
Hilton Gold will get you free internet access. That can be ~$25/night at full-service European properties. There are other brand-specific benefits.
http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/explor...its/index.html
Frankly, since you don't appear to be looking for a long-term backup, I'd be focusing on the best properties (location, amenities, rates) and would give only tertiary consideration to loyalty programs. (That's not my first FT heresy, but I'm pragmatic.)
I would consider Hilton my third backup but I'd hate to waste a status match unless I can do it again at some future point. Is this a one time thing with Hilton? Or can i repeat in later years?
Also, it would be nice to have a long term backup, its just that it really depends on location. For example, next year ill be traveling through South America and Australia for 6 mos. Not sure my current choice of Club Carlson will suffice for those areas. That's why I'm trying to not waste my status matches (unless they can be repeated).