chrispycreme561

Hey guys this will be my last year of Titanium so wanted to make the most of it but noticed that even international Ritz Carlton�s don�t offer free breakfast at all no matter what your status is.

Trip will be with my fianc�e and another couple. We won�t be doing any clubbing maybe just a bar or two for drinks after dinner max.

After doing some research and eliminating most of them these are the options remaining for us.

$333/night for the Ritz Carlton Mexico City
-Marriott Titanium
-Corp discount rate

48k points for the Hyatt Regency Polanco
-Hyatt Discoverist
-2.0 cpp with Corp discount
-2.19 cpp without Corp discount

If you were in my shoes would you pay to enjoy your last year of titanium or would you use points to save ~$1000.

Let me know your thoughts!

martzipan

I�m not sure how status plays a part in this question. Titanium does not give you any significant benefits at RC, aside from some bonus points, and Discoverist does not give you much at HR. So I just don�t see how you would be �enjoying� this stay at RC this time any more than any other time.

If you feel that RC is objectively a better hotel than HR (which is really what this is about), then it�s just a question of if the price premium is worth it. The redemption rate for HR is reasonable, IMHO. I know what I would have picked, but it is such a personal choice.

If staying in one vs the other helped you qualify for next year, that would be another point to consider, but you didn�t mention that.

Would the cash saved from going with HR help you do something else memorable during the trip, or are you in a position where you don�t really care?

EuropeanPete

The HR Polanco is far from perfect, but personally I think it�s often better than the press it�s got here. The location is also ideal if you intend to explore Polanco, something I would personally recommend. I�ve never actually stayed at the RC, but having visited there twice I know I would never actually pay money to stay there. The St Regis isn�t perfect, but it appears to be far better.

dcstudent

You really get 0 benefits at the Ritz (as a Tit myself I understand that an upgrade is theoretically possible but I've never had one and I've been Tit or Ambsince it's existed as a level) so if you don't mind paying cash (or a huge # of points) stay at the St. Regis (which is an awesome hotel, honors benefits for Titanium, and is nicer than the Hyatt).

The Hyatt is perfectly fine and in a great neighborhood (but definitely not luxurious).

My favorite non boutique hotel is the Sofitel. Just amazing all around.

chrispycreme561

Titanium�s are eligible for suite upgrades at the RC but platinum�s are not so just want to correct you there.

staying in one or another wouldnt affect status next year. I�d be platinum/Discoverist.

what would you have picked?

martzipan

I would have picked the cheaper points stay at HR, because I find it generally too much of a gamble to place significant importance on a potential suite upgrade.

That said, I don�t have any experience with that specific property. Seems others recommend a different Marriott property altogether, if you do want some value out of your status.

chrispycreme561

hmm some more thought led us to not want to stay in Polanco. We found a four points in Roma that appears to me the most ideal location without the luxury however. Any experience with it?

WNHHTraveler

You don’t say how many nights….unless I missed it somehow (and I read this twice) but I’m assuming 2 in which case 48K Hyatt points is obscene for the HR and I’d book the RC on cash.

chrispycreme561

Wow good point. This is for 4 nights rather than 2.

DCflyer1222

The Ritz is brand new and meant to be far elevated over a Regency. While I agree - you won't get much from status at the Ritz - I think the property, location, and amenties would make this an easy choice. I've booked the RC Mexico City specifically because it has a club lounge - something the St. Regis does not have