Originally Posted by
Unique name?
I get to dictate my own travel and with a new born weeks away I suspect I won't be away from home more than 2 or 3 nights a month for the next year.
The Marriot does appear to be a better reward program but given my desire not to be a true road warier I don’t envisage ever being able to cash in on my points, hence the mileage question.
Right now Hilton has the edge because I can switch between 500 miles fixed, or 1 mile per $1 if I'm staying in one place long enough to warrant it. I can also collect enough points on the side to ensure some kind of status, although I don’t see a real benefit to this.
There is real benefit to Hilton and/or Marriott status.. get Gold on either and, availability allowing, you will be upgraded to the executive floor (Hilton speak), which usually (at least outside US) gives you access to the Exec lounge with free drinks in the evening and somewhere vaguely civilised to eat (free) breakfast. I think you also get a boost to the miles you collect - never got round to checking
. I'm not sure what the rules say, but I've also found that when there isn't an Exec floor room available in Hiltons you still get access to the Exec lounge. I'm too new to the Marriott scheme to know, but I guess something similar occurs - I certainly got the upgrade last week. Only got the Gold Marriott card thanks to that nice Mr Branson's outfit offering it without even setting foot in a Marriott - promply changed my rewards preference to BA miles
