So... I like to plan a head. I may be moving to Europe next year for work, which means 1-2 weeks staying at a local hotel while I find a house. I took a quick look, not much to offer in the area (plus within company rules)... basically comes down to Ibis or Best Western. Never stayed in either, but I have been to Novotel a few times so I know the Accor brand (might even be a member...).

Since I'll be there for a bit, any kind of status perks would be nice, especially the room upgrades. Best Western I could get there via credit card (dump before AF), Accor it looks like two options.

1. Get Gold status by buying stock, not opposed to this at all.

2. Get Gold status by signing up for Ibis Business.

Suggestions? Go with BW, go with Ibis?

I'm leaning towards Accor due to their heavy footprint in Europe, obviously there's going to be a lot of 2-4 day trips in my future (if I do the move). If I go with Ibis, which option is better to get Gold? Stocks means locking up a chunk of money (hopefully with return) for a while, while Ibis Business looks like 90 Euro/yr (is Gold really worth that?).

Of course, the final option is suck it up and slum it like all the little people... but that's not why we're on this forum, right?