Originally Posted by
PVDProf
I've searched on this, but it turns out that keywords "elite" and "hotel" show up in a lot of different contexts on this forum.
I usually have little control over my hotels when I travel, but this year it's likely I'll have discretion over 15-20 nights in low-end business hotels (e.g., Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Suites, Springhill Suites, Homestead Suites), and I'm trying to decide to whom to give my business. Someplace that would give me status early, and have some measurable benefit for that status, would be a good. I've seen rumors on other FT threads that hotel chains sometimes recognize higher status levels on airlines, but couldn't find any for UA (I'm 1P). Any adivce?
To clear your question, only starwood and hilton would comp UA eilites, never heard Marriott does anything. Having status with a hotel get you more perks (upgrades, lounge access, breakfest, etc) when you stay at a high end business hotel (hilton, conrad), not the low end hotels that you mentioned. Even if you get comp to one or both, can you maintain the status ? Remember it is a one time thing, and in order to maintain Hilton gold, you have to get 16 stays or 36 nights, that is more hotel nights that you mentioned plan to stay in a year. And would you sometimes pay more to stay at a hilton chain, in order to maintain the status, where hotels nearby are only cost half of what you paid for in a hilton group hotels ?
Starwood gold gives you nothing, rarely you get upgrades, you can get to know more from the starwood website. Hilton gold would give you breakfest at hilton garden inn, a bottle of water and pepperridge farm cookies in homewood suites. Neither hotels has any lounges, and all rooms are the same, hence no upgrades.