OP needs to carefully consider how his/her destinations relate to chain coverage. If travel tends to focus on places where some brands are absent, avoid those brands. Ideally, try to concentrate most of your stays in about two programs and learn how to use those two, including keeping up with promo offerings, registration, and requirements.

OP should also be award that some chains don't give elite status benefits at properties that are considered (at least by the hotel itself) to be resorts.