USA properties: Several comments on FT.com about Marriott, Hilton, IHG (Hyatt also?) USA properties NOT upgrading Plat/Titam/Amb/Diamond members ...max'ing out on daily upgrades, etc as some people have mentioned, too many people getting high-status in hotel loyalty programs from a Credit card sign-up and/or moderate spend (rather than meeting the loyalty criteria by actually solely staying at hotel group).

Outside USA properties: read some comments that upgrades provided usually. What is your experience? What Marriott properties (brands, countries, cities) not upgrading?

...
Considering to up-prioritize Marriott Bonvoy for 2024 . My travels 95+% outside USA. Currently IHG + Hilton combo , both Diamond to end 2025 (twenty five) as reached more than 2x Diamond nights at each in 2023 (so don't need to stay at them in 2024 to retain Diamond but should use some points). Might as well diversify and up-prioritize programs other than IHG & Hilton.
1. Upgrade is a key item
2. Points earning: Most brands in Marriott, Hilton, IHG each earn 10 pts per $1 spent.
3. Points redemption for $100 of hotel cost: Hilton points required approx double that of IHG and maybe Marriott ...so IHG and Marriott better value
4. Milestones beyond 100 nights: Hilton has , but 10k pts at Hilton is like nothing because of devaluations
5. Lifetime benefit: somewhat a factor. IHG loses on this item, especially giving them 100+ nights for some years and accumulates to nothing
6. Points transfer/gifting: beyond Business loyalty account and Diamond (some limited pts xfr free only from Dec 2023), IHG charges $5 per 1000 gifted/transferred but Hilton and Marriott not
7. Footprint: Hyatt loses out, though they bought the Smith properties software and will partially integrate Smith properties (details sometime later 2024)

Conclusion:
If upgrades at Marriott's outside USA are less than 50/50, then maybe just stick with IHG + Hilton combo.

Thanks for your feedback.