Originally Posted by mfirst

I think for the <20 nights a year traveler - unless there was a long-term goal for points - as with most programs (especially the airlines these days) the benefits (even in theory) are of limited value...

My sense - and please comment if this applies to you - is that there are few non-business travelers that are staying and earning top status on their own which means that the real perks only have value if you are spending a significant amount of time in hotels and the "little things" that status brings actually mean something and help your mental health (which is probably why we get frustrated when the system lets us down)

But, I echo the comments about M-B>H-H as for the past couple of years I have been a HH Diamond and M-B Titanium and I feel treated a little better a M properties and that the benefits are a little better. I have been staying mainly at Courtyards and Res Inns (for M) and Hampton Inns (H) and without a doubt the Hamptons look dated and worn. Although - and I am surprised that people havent discussed it more (and maybe I should start a thread on it) - but the M "smart-TV/infotainment systems" are horrible... and there is a general hatred towards the North toiletry stuff.....