Originally Posted by
returnoftheyeti
So much this. We have been staying in Sonder’s and other furnished apartment hotels. Generally such a better value vs. the chain option, and since we don’t travel for business we cant get real status anyway.
I get status through my credit cards so I literally don't have to think about status. The credit cards offer more benefits than status, I simply don't value it very highly behind things like credits and free night certificates.
The point return from status or a hotel program gets figured into the state as effective rebate. A $300 stay where there is an effective $30-51 rebate, depending on whether or not you use cash value of C1 miles or assign a higher value because of transfer partners (I do) is very competitive with Hilton/Hyatt/Marriott- I consider it a 17% rebate. There have been times where Hilton or Marriott beats that... but not by a lot, and "hey, this hotel I found on C1's portal is actually closer to where I want to be/a better service level at a better price" is a real thing that happens (it's also why I end up with stays at hotels.com).
Originally Posted by
Stgermainparis
I find it a little hard to use. Most of my work travel (almost none now) must go on work visa. And most of my flights and hotels are booked with points. I don’t like booking through the portal and losing my status benefits at hotels.
I don't have Hyatt Globalist (just Explorist, ho hum), which is the OMG THIS IS SO AWESOME I HEAR ANGELS SINGING status every blogger and FTer swears by and worships at the temple of, so I am probably completely oblivious to how it's the best hotel status, dessert topping and floor wax and how it will change my life, make me lose 20 pounds and have beautiful women flock to me, but I've been a multi-year Hilton Gold/Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Platinum (now Titanium) and "OH NOES MY HOTEL STATUS MUST BE USED" is way down on my list of why I pick places to stay. It's why the VX will work for me. If it's a bunch of work to get value out of it for you I agree it's probably not the right card for you.