Originally Posted by kazakie
*Platinum guest now get a 1/2 bottle of wine (375 ml), while it used to be a full bottle (750 ml).
The standard full-service Marriott arrival gift, if you chose the wine, has always been a 375 ml bottle. I have gotten full bottles on rare occasion, usually at more touristy type or outside the U.S. properties.
Originally Posted by kazakie
*When we go down a level I'll take Hampton Inn's over a Residence Inn or Courtyard (I don't know why anyone would chose a Courtyard over a Residence Inn - prime example of pay more, get less).
I agree that the lower-end Hilton properties, overall, do a better job than the corresponding lower-end Marriott properties.
One BIG reason I would choose a Courtyard over a Residence Inn is that RIs only give 5 MR points per dollar spent vs. 10 MR points per dollar at a CY.
Originally Posted by kazakie
*Lets not forget that HHonors points are much more useable than Marriott points - for Gold and Diamond levels. (if there are no award available nights you can request an award stay. Every Diamond request we made has been fulfilled)
Lets not forget that the standard Marriott rewards schedule typically requires MUCH FEWER points for an equivalent award than Hilton, even though earning the points is similar (10pts/dollar). A Marriott "stay-anytime" award, which
anyone (not just top elites) can use to override unavailable reward dates will still come in less than the equivalent HH base reward. Although not a stated benefit, the Platinum desk at Marriott has pulled a string or two for me in obtaining a reward stay.