Milestones: something you get at some Status thresholds and sometimes at other numbers of nights. It's nice to get something along the way vs only at certain Status thresholds..

1. Marriott is the worst : only at 50 nights (a long time away to get first milestone) and at 75 nights (yes, also at 100 nights but only with spending ~$28,000 = $23,000 + taxes)

2. Hilton is moderately better than Marriott. Starts at 40th night and per 10 nights only 10k points which are not much value given devaluations. Yes at 60th night 30k points which is approx one night at a Hilton Garden Inn (after 60 nights, that's not much). Yes, at 60 and 100 nights, can gift Gold and Diamond status. One good thing is the milestones go to 360 nights ...and in 2024 with the H4B sign-up it was Double Nights during a 6 month period ... exceeded / smashed the Milestone meter of 360 nights with 368.

3. IHG in 2022. Started milestones at 20th night (very good) with more value at 40th night and 70th nights ...inbetween 10th nights not of any higher value , and stops at 100 nights. So, why give IHG more than 100 nights, or 70th night for that matter. And no Lifetime benefits. imo, IHG takes for granted the higher-night loyalty members. Wrote IHG Executive Mgmt, Rewards Team and their surpervisors with several suggested improvements including benefits beyond 100, more value of milestones beyond 70 or 100th night, and Lifetime ...IHG has done nothing

4. Hyatt. Hyatt, as IHG, starts at 20th night and every 10 nights with a free night at 40th night and a big jump at 60th night, and another jump in value at 100th and 150th nights. But the big difference compared to IHG (and Hilton) is the value of Hyatt's milestones increases at 40 & 50 nights, then at 70/80/90, then 110-140.
Some of the benefits along the way are gifting GoH status (sure, it's not for a year as at Hilton, but can gift to more than two people to tr the program).

Yes, Hyatt's network is smaller (though that Mr & Mrs Smith branding has burst out with many more properties added (starting it seems in 2024). But you get something of value along the way, the value increases as the nights increase, and it goes beyond 100 nights to 150.