In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I can't speak to Hyatt but I can say that Marriott Titanium is worth a lot more than Hilton Diamond.
- Choice Benefits: I select Suite Night Upgrades and so far every one has been confirmed in advance. I've gotten incredible suites too
- Upgrades: Even when I'm not using SNAs I tend to get a lot of upgrades. Far more than I do at Hilton as a Diamond
- Higher Tier Brands: I find most domestic full service Hiltons to be tired and old and offer little in the way of benefits. I've also noticed few have lounges. Meanwhile, with Marriott between FS Marriots, Westins and a lot of their boutique brands (Tribute, Autograph Collection etc.) I can find more newer or better appointed full service hotels
- Service Recovery: When things go wrong at Marriott I've found managers very good making things right.
I'll still make Diamond because I can do 30 stays fairly easily, the footprint works for me and Hilton is still price competitive but it's not worth nearly what it used to be to me.