I generally agree that SPG award availability has historically been the best in the industry. Of the four programs I've been active in for the past 15-20 years, it goes SPG > MR > HH > IHG. Marriott and Hilton both have some specific pros and cons that can make one better than the other in certain instances (e.g., Diamond standard availability is a pro for HH), but on the whole if I want a full week with my bed type guaranteed in a standard award, I give the nod to Marriott.

But award availability is still relatively good at Marriott, and better than it was when it was a two-tier award system. Remember that? You'd find 6 of your 7 desired nights available, but not one in the middle of the stay. That was frustrating, and doesn't happen much anymore.

And I still dispute the original premise in this thread that there aren't award rooms in Hawaii for "spring break". I'm holding one such reservation and there are many more award rooms available on all four islands even right now. (Is Hawaii even a traditional spring break scene? It was *way* priced out of my college days...we were more the "roadtrip to Padre" type...) I would think if you really wanted to stress-test your favorite award program for Hawaii rooms, try to use points there for Christmas/New Year's. In my past, it's those kinds of cases where Starwood did indeed separate from the pack.