How to dump Marriott
Jul 23, 2021, 10:21 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 83
On a side note - Anyone threads based around programs like Amex FHR or Virtuoso? I want to learn more about all these type of programs for my cash stays, which are rare of late with the points I have accumulated to spend and FNC.
Jul 23, 2021, 10:25 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,180
I would love to not care about hotel loyalty programs and just book the nicest suite at the nicest property in my destination, but alas, my bank account says otherwise. At that point, why not try to get some marginal free benefits through elite status?
Jul 23, 2021, 10:49 am
#48
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
Personally I've always felt loyalty programs are purely marketing based and genius marketing at that. I mean, there are entire websites based on a free program constantly talking about them, debating them, etc. Even bad press gets their name out, which drives mentions and buzz. We are a minor group of the population, my family that travel could careless about points or status.
Jul 23, 2021, 11:30 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
Jul 23, 2021, 1:28 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
It is only 4500 total, as I mentioned 1500 for the first and 3000 for the second stay. SO, it's merely a chipping away process, but every little bit helps. Unfortunately, we cancelled our June Koh Samui trip, I have a Sept and Oct trip back to the US planned, assuming that Thailand can get their act together and relax the 14 day quarantine required for my return, and switched some cheap Fairfield nights for my San Clemente time back to the HIX, and the Bay Area and Chicago stays will be (mostly) Hyatt with a weekend at the IC SF to use my extended BOGO, so not going for Titanium this year. Or any year for that matter, as PLT is fine and only needed one more year for LT PLT. So, I won't be redeeming for any of those Cat 8 nights after all.
Jul 24, 2021, 2:56 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
That is exactly what the reward programs are supposed to do - they warp customer behavior by offering awards to the customer liking. Regarding Atlanta, St. Regis is in Buckhead where as I have to be in downtown. Also, I do not see a point of paying ca. $550/night on this business trip.
Jul 24, 2021, 3:06 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
Loyalty programs are a consideration, but if I have a strong preference for a property I will stay there 100% of the time regardless of loyalty program. If there is a weaker preference, loyalty programs may have more sway.
Jul 24, 2021, 3:22 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,669
Hyatt is still my number one too, at least in a full-serve hotel. But some of them are also old and worn. Hyatt has also had significant general benefit erosion over the last 10 years, during the Covid melt-down, and also the sort-of, kind-of, post-Covid "cram them in--but keep the club closed rebound".
In an over-the-road 2.5 star market, a well-chosen Hilton can be better. But I've had too many mediocre Hilton full-serve stays to trust them. It is starting to remind me of my childhood, when you never quite knew what you were getting till you saw the room.
In an over-the-road 2.5 star market, a well-chosen Hilton can be better. But I've had too many mediocre Hilton full-serve stays to trust them. It is starting to remind me of my childhood, when you never quite knew what you were getting till you saw the room.
Jul 25, 2021, 2:57 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
Hyatt is still my number one too, at least in a full-serve hotel. But some of them are also old and worn. Hyatt has also had significant general benefit erosion over the last 10 years, during the Covid melt-down, and also the sort-of, kind-of, post-Covid "cram them in--but keep the club closed rebound".
In an over-the-road 2.5 star market, a well-chosen Hilton can be better. But I've had too many mediocre Hilton full-serve stays to trust them. It is starting to remind me of my childhood, when you never quite knew what you were getting till you saw the room.
In an over-the-road 2.5 star market, a well-chosen Hilton can be better. But I've had too many mediocre Hilton full-serve stays to trust them. It is starting to remind me of my childhood, when you never quite knew what you were getting till you saw the room.
Feb 24, 2023, 4:46 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,180
From a property development standpoint, I love where Hyatt is going. It seems that many of the places I travel have exciting new-build Hyatt properties in the pipeline.
However, I still see and recognize the value that Marriott's footprint brings. For me, every property I am interested in is either a Marriott or Hyatt, and I personally find it worth maintaining status at both. Of course, that will likely be much harder next year as the only reason I was able to be a Globalist in 2021 (both quickly, and perhaps, at all) was due to the combination of a double night credit promo earlier this year and Hyatt's halved requirements.
Next year, I'm honestly not sure what I will do as getting 60 nights organically (minus 5 from WOH CC) at Hyatt will be tough on top of trying to get 35 nights at Marriott (downgrading to Platinum would likely not be the worst thing), especially as I actually traveled more nights pre-travel recovery. Post-travel recovery, I'm going to more diverse locations but staying fewer nights, which I could see continuing next year. It might just be easier to stick with Marriott (unless double night promos align in my favor and I do some mattress runs).
However, I still see and recognize the value that Marriott's footprint brings. For me, every property I am interested in is either a Marriott or Hyatt, and I personally find it worth maintaining status at both. Of course, that will likely be much harder next year as the only reason I was able to be a Globalist in 2021 (both quickly, and perhaps, at all) was due to the combination of a double night credit promo earlier this year and Hyatt's halved requirements.
Next year, I'm honestly not sure what I will do as getting 60 nights organically (minus 5 from WOH CC) at Hyatt will be tough on top of trying to get 35 nights at Marriott (downgrading to Platinum would likely not be the worst thing), especially as I actually traveled more nights pre-travel recovery. Post-travel recovery, I'm going to more diverse locations but staying fewer nights, which I could see continuing next year. It might just be easier to stick with Marriott (unless double night promos align in my favor and I do some mattress runs).
Feb 24, 2023, 7:58 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Feb 24, 2023, 1:21 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
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.
I wish I could do as you do. Keep it up!