Very much agree with this.

Be it vacation or business, I want to waste neither the time nor energy to remedy situations where the published benefits should accrue without question.

But as noted; Capuano views loyalty as an irritation evidently. He'll reap what he sows there I'd posit, and not before long.

The comments just confirm what we've known for a while, that Marriott's C Suite now views elite benefits as primarily a marketing gimmick, and doesn't really care that much whether they're actually delivered.

That said, there is still value in the Marriott program, though it depends more than ever on the business philosophy of individual hotel ownership, as opposed to corporate-enforced standards.
The critical point for me was when CY Solana Beach downgraded my paid room assignment and put me in one of the worst rooms on the property (as an ambassador). I walked, and rebooked at HR Mission Bay on points, where they upgraded me (as an explorist) to a corner marina view suite. Game, set, match Hyatt.

I won't disagree about Hyatt but I was IHG Plat for several years and it was absolutely worthless. Not a single upgrade -- at the MSP Intercontinental the desk agent insinuated that I didn't qualify for a room upgrade because I was only staying one night. What?

I have Hyatt Globalist status which tbh has been a little overhyped here. I've found it and Marriott Ti to be about the same. Obvs the former's small footprint is a barrier, but if there's two reasonably-equivalent and -priced properties in question it'll come down to which one is the newest build, has free parking, and has a real shower not a gross old bathtub. I don't eat breakfast so any freebies there are wasted on me. Just coffee pls.

One factor lost when talking about the Bonvoy loyalty program is how mediocre, at best, the point earning and redemption opportunities are. Sure, Plats can earn a 50% Bonus, and Titanium/Ambassadors can earn a 75% bonus on stays. Credit Card Bonvoy points earning is pitiful. Even at Hilton, with their inflated points totals for earnings and award redemptions, there are often promotions like earning triple points recently. There are some occasional values when redeeming Hilton points at 60000 levels per night, or 95000 levels, with 5th night free. I would rather earn and burn Hilton Honors points for award redemptions, than with Bonvoy. For Bonvoy, it is rare to hear about an awesome point redemption for an aspirational property. Hyatt is also decent sometimes for point award redemption opportunities, although it is often overrated. World of Hyatt is still better than Bonvoy for point redemptions. Maybe Bonvoy enthusiasts can hang their hat that Bonvoy earn and burn is better than IHG, and I won't argue. Congrats for not winning the race to the bottom; Bonvoy will merely place or show.

The Marriott CEO has conceded that Bonvoy is not supposed to be competitive. Not a good way to sell potential guests.

Or you can just stay in whichever hotel you prefer in a given city and not give a toss about status at all. For example, if I�m in Bangkok I�ll stay at the MO. If I�m in Zurich I might stay at the Baur au Lac. If I�m in NY I�ll stay at the Mark. I could not care less about points or night credits. I cate about the fact that local staff recognize me and treat me as a repeat guest.

- Bonvoy is getting less and less competitive because there is no promo in sight. Another issue is the Elite recognition which went downhill even in the former SPG properties, Right now I have a business trip to Atlanta where I will be staying in downtown for 5 nights. Plenty of choices between Bonvoy, Hilton, and Hyatt. I was in Atlanta in June as an Explorist was given a nice corner room at Hyatt Regency, With the triple point promo + AA promo I will likely to go with the same Hyatt and become the Globalist for the following stays this year. I would still stay in Bonvoy properties because of location but the advantages of the largest hotel chain are not universal. There are locations where I would go with Bonvoy or Hilton but there several locations where IHG and Hyatt would be my primarily choices. In the past I always though about Marriott as a competitor to Hilton but not SPG or Hyatt. Hilton has a good footprint in the USA and there is not much difference in the minimal service or Elite recognition. However, right now Hilton wins because of continuing promos and strong CC (Aspire). This is why I did not see a point of staying with Marriott in the past (i.e., pre-SPG acquisition). Just jump to Hilton and you will not see much difference except a better kickback.

I think it�s funny how people let the tail wag the dog. None of my loyalty programs makes the slightest bit of difference in my hotel selection.

I know, it's a problem when the truth comes out. Though, not since Herb Kelleher has there been a CEO of any travel provider that actually believed they were really in the customer service business. And he might have been jiving too. It's always a good idea to keep your expectations moderate to avoid disappointments. I've enjoyed my stays at a multitude of Marriotts, Hyatt, IHG brands and don't find a great variation in the customer service. Maybe a difference in the opulance, but then I'm a pretty basic customer and stay at the same properties often, which I think helps. Though even when I try someplace different, I still get my share of (nicer) suites, bottles of wine, fruit, water and breakfasts, often most not worth the efforts and calories. I don't expect any of the staff to bow or curtsy, so I'm not sure what more they could do. I see how Hyatt treats my friend who is Globalist-for-Life, and often it's just more: bigger suite, maybe better wines, and personal recognition and greetings. He likes the treatment, and he's earned it the old-fashioned way: using OPM (employer's) money. Well, not completely, but certainly made a big difference.

For someone like me who travels mostly to luxury locations for holidays on my own dime, getting Elite status has become all but meaningless when you have Virtuoso + Amex FHR... ESPECIALLY when considering the benefits being diluted.

I still have lifetime plat though, but had I known in my 20s that there'd be FHR & Virtuoso and that the elite benefits would be watered down like this I probably wouldn't have been so loyal.

Sir, you're in the forum entitled "Miles&Points". I believe you're looking for the forum entitled "Gloating about being made of money".

I'm just telling you my travel preferences. You can replace any of those names with other places that are far more interesting to stay in than a Marriott or Hilton.

I just recived the 2 stays for 4500 pts, 1500 for the first and 3k for the 2nd.

Exactly - my hotel stays are based off the hotel that suits my needs, regardless of hotel chain. I have Bonvoy status simply because I enjoy staying at many of the SPG properties that Marriott purchased.

And with those 9,000 points, you still need 91,000 more for a one night Cat 8 peak redemption . . . .

Isn�t this an example of a loyalty program warping your behavior rather than actually reward you? What Hyatt properties in Atlanta are there that are in any way comparable to the St. Regis Atlanta?

I agree 100%. Love the hotels but dislike the program.