Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
The OP only needs 38 more Starriott nights to get MR LTG. Even at $10 extra per night, that's only $380, not $4,000. However, rather than a rate difference, for the OP the relevant cost is the implicit value of the foregone Hilton Diamond benefits.
Given that the OP is so close, my suggestion would be to go for it as having LTG will give more options where Hilton doesn't work for some reason. However, there is the question of how quickly to get those 38 remaining nights and how much to try to get the status now, before the rules could change again.
thank you - I will not make LTG this year under current rules. I could make it under the new requirement of 400 nights and 7 years as gold starting in 2019 with another 38 nights before retirement. What would I get in return down the road as LTG? I would be giving up free breakfast at HGI equivalent (CY), free bottles of water when checking in and upgrades for 38 nights.