Originally Posted by
Chalmers3716
Except, you're not.
I'm Titanium with Marriott. When I look at hotels, I usually start there, but I'll check other places as well. If one of those other options is a clear winner, I'll book it. If it's close, I'll factor in the benefits I get. Sometimes, even with benefits, a non-Marriott property wins out.
Sometimes, the deciding factor is redeeming points. When it's not, those points are still there for a later use.
As far as I know, no one's ever been turned away from a non-Marriott property due to their loyalty to Marriott, so no one's really "tied" to it.
I agree. I have Titanium with Marriott, Spire with IHG, and Gold with Hilton.
I start my search every time via Google Maps. I understand where I need to be in relation to a client/attraction/neighborhood and then narrow down the choices.
My hotel statuses are more of an after thought as up until recently I was spending 150+ nights a year in hotels.
I wouldn't chase hotels just because of the status, but it is nice to have in Asia for sure. Everywhere its a wash IMHO.