Originally Posted by
bhrubin
Starwood and Hyatt points are far better for anyone wanting awards at more upscale/full service hotels. They are clearly better for anyone wanting awards at the high end of hotels. Of course, Marriott and Hilton have far more properties in far more locations. But for higher end hotels, most of these chains have upscale properties in most major urban centers and the most popular holiday destinations.
Of course, Marriott absorbing Starwood means that only Hyatt offers a real deal. It also means Marriott will have the most aspirational properties by far after its merger.
Of course, Starwood (will have been) the hotel program with the second-worst "footprint" of the majors, and Hyatt is (and will remain) the worst "footprint" of the majors.
And that poorer "footprint" is one of the major reasons why Hyatt (and SPG up until the near future) can afford to have a program that way bigger hotel families don't feel they can. They need something to attract people to make up for that poorer "footprint".