Also, for me, most of my travel is leisure and most of my loyalty is based on leisure travel. There are a lot of places I want to see around the world and the SPG properties in these locations are generally notable and memorable. I am SPG Platinum based on leisure travel (this year will be 100%) and typically based on cheap single night stays within a few blocks from my office in Downtown Atlanta. I agree with you on nearly every point you make, but I guess what keeps me with SPG is simple... convenience of knowing what you will get. I never worry about the quality of bed we'll be sleeping on and that is important to me.

I flirted with Hyatt (still a Diamond) and their quality is amazing... but their selection is best as a supplemental program for me, at best. SPG actually lets me select destinations. If there is a Hyatt there and I will receive some Diamond recognition, I may decide to book there over SPG simply to allow me to use SPG points on another destination.