Originally Posted by
azepine00
Just book on price/convenience/promos - the amount saved will more than cover paying for upgrades when needed.
I bet you can achieve 20+% off across your hotel spending by being flexible - no point program will offer you this return consistently.
Focusing on a single chain makes little sense these days.
I agree. Unless one chain happens to perfectly fit most of your needs, it makes little sense to bother with top tier status.
Get mid tier status at all chains through credit cards, and then choose based upon preference as well as convenience, price, and promotions.
But, in cases where it's more or less equal, I would preferentially go with Starwood/Ritz-Carlton/Marriott.