Originally Posted by
MaximusDamon
Mostly because I don't know if the grass is actually greener out there or if this is normal across the other brand options.
Most people regard Hyatt as the best loyalty program. YMMV. IME, people vastly overstate the differences between loyalty programs. At the end of the day, it comes down to the specific property. I've had amazing stays at IHGs and terrible stays at Hyatts. It is what it is.
Originally Posted by
MaximusDamon
This chain is too big with too much variation between brands...do I get breakfast? Do I get late checkout? Do I ever get an upgrade? Who even knows...I feel like you need a PhD in Bonvoy to even know what you're entitled to across all the various brands and if you don't ask for all these things at check in, it doesn't seem to get offered usually. Too complicated.
I agree Marriott's program is convoluted. On one hand, this is an unfortunate consequence of two huge hotel chains with multi-year franchise contracts merging. On the other hand, these crazy rules are very unfriendly to guests. I wrote the Wiki for the loyalty program on Reddit:
https://old.reddit.com/r/marriott/wiki/index. I hope this clears things up for you.
Originally Posted by
MaximusDamon
I just checked into Moxy Denver on points for one night...I got the smallest room they have (I can see the room map on the back of the door) and no breakfast benefit. And, after the last year+ of no perks under the excuse of COVID...I'm feeling over it.
Moxy is a flag known for its very small hotel rooms. It is also a select-service hotel. As a general rule of thumb, status seems to matter the most at higher-end hotels. Some people here seem to hate Ritz Carlton for not offering an elite breakfast benefit (ironically the same people that turn down their noses to all-inclusive resorts) but I have a very high hit rate for unsolicited suite upgrades at **domestic** Ritz Carltons. St. Regis is, of course, also an excellent brand for elite benefit delivery. Internationally, all loyalty programs are reasonably strong IME, especially in Asia and the Middle East (except Hilton).
Originally Posted by
MaximusDamon
I should just pay for what I want at the hotel I want and forget the loyalty/status game.
Yes. Hotels care most about the bottom line. Give them enough money and they will treat you like Mr. Marriott regardless of status.
Originally Posted by
MaximusDamon
Status clearly doesn't get you much that's special anymore with Marriott. What chains are out there that are better?
Hyatt is better on average (but don't get your hopes up too high). IMO Hilton is strictly worse in every regard (including hotel portfolio). IHG is also very complicated but has Six Senses which makes it impossible to ignore for anyone very interested in Asian resorts.
Overall, I wouldn't chase status. There was someone on here that said millionaires should invest $200K into World of Hyatt to get lifetime Globalist. Needless to say, that is not a smart decision lol.