It will be interesting to see how our non-US friends weigh in on this. I travel 95% of the time internationally. Often, the best hotel in a city is non-affiliated with American chains and FT programs, and their quality will blow away an American chain hotel.

For example, consider the Leading Hotels of the World or Relais & Chateaux properties. Both have marvelous properties, with considerable local charm. Shangri-La hotels in Asia are terrific, and the Oberoi chain in India is excellent.

Personally, I'd go for the most special hotel experience, and savor the memory of that stay. I've enjoyed the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the Vier Jahrzeitszen in Hamburg, the Shangri-La in Kuala Lumpur, the Grand in Stockholm. I've had extraordinary stays at the paradores of Spain and the pousadas of Portugal.

Yes, there are some US chains with superb international properties - but focusing on status internationally will mean accepting homogeneity and predictability at the loss of marvelous individuality and charm.