Originally Posted by
craigthemif
If you want upgrades, you choose Hyatt and deal with footprint as best you can.
If you want earn/burn, you choose IHG. (and don't forget that typically IHG offers the highest cashback)
Marriott and Hilton are in the mushy middle. Hotels everywhere, across the quality spectrum. You might get upgrades. You might not. You might find value from your points or you might not. In Europe, Marriott and Hilton branded hotels cost significantly more than a non-branded hotel of identical quality. I could live without either chain, and definitely wouldn't bother with top status in both.
I agree with your points, but I'd add that Marriotts and Hiltons have the easiest paths to lifetime qualification so that can make them desirable for many. Also you can get upgrade/free breakfast status with a credit card at both, whereas you cannot with Hyatt or AFAIK IHG.