Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 7,467
Welcome.
My ranking of the hotel chains is approximately:
Aman / Four Seasons / other non-points luxury brands >>> Hyatt >> Marriott >> Hilton > IHG > Choice / Wyndham / other crummy motel brands
You just gotta watch out for some of the old nasty run-down Four Points, Fairfields, Courtyards, and non-renovated Marriotts/Sheratons/Westins. No different from watching out for old nasty Hyatt Places or Hyatt Houses though.
You can earn a lot of points once you have elite status, the Bonvoy credit card, and the promos. They seem to add up quick. I'm about to burn 355k on 5 nights at the St Regis in Puerto Rico. There are some good redemptions in the system. The 5th night free on awards is a nice perk. Enjoy it.