dayone

For me, it's Marriott>Hyatt>Hilton. I'm Lifetime Titanium, Explorist and Gold, respectively.

gudugan

I have similar travel patterns to OP.

To me Hilton Diamond feels like Marriott Gold, and there is a significant jump between Gold and Platinum. Between Platinum and Titanium not so much.
If you can swing the 20 nights to get Platinum, I think it's worth it. Otherwise just choose the most convenient option between Hilton Diamond (via CC), Marriott Gold (also via CC), and independent hotels

eponymous_coward

You get suite upgrades and $ for food/drink or free breakfast regularly as a Marriott Gold? Because I do as a Hilton Diamond.

gudugan

the f/b is a published benefit of Diamond but I don’t get any suite upgrades as Diamond.

late checkout is a published benefit of gold (2pm) and it isn’t a benefit of Diamond.

2pm checkout is way more valuable to me than f/b credits, but ymmv

also, for kicks, I don’t think I have ever been gold in Marriott

eponymous_coward

Fun fact, I’ve gotten suite upgrades as a HILTON Gold (as well as Diamond). I can tell you I sue F/B at hotels way, way more than late checkout (and it’s very unusual for me to want 2 or 4 pm checkout). I’m pretty sure I never got suites as an SPG Gold (I also have never been able to use or stay as a Marriott Gold, either before or after the program was Bonvoyed(tm).

So it’s hard for me to say that Hilton’s top status is equivalent to one that entitles you to not getting the view of the air conditioning vents, extra points and a 2 pm checkout. Complimentary F/B is a pretty tangible benefit. Exec lounge (if it exists) is a tangible benefit. I’d say it’s somewhere around Marriott Gold and Platinum, aided by needing next to zero commitment to the program other than carrying a US credit card that is fairly easy to make positive value, whereas you have to accept being routinely Bonvoyed(tm) if you want to be on that Marriott hamster wheel.

SpammersAreScum

Also Lounge access.

sfgiants13

Yeah Hilton in the US is just as disappointing. I think I've had 2 suite upgrades in the US and one was because of as service failure at an Embassy Suites so just a bigger suite. The other was a 2 night stay in Orlando which surprised the crap out of me. I honestly expect Marriot to be similar in the US but the options internationally are appealing. Just found out the wife will likely be travelling a lot more and her company does Marriot a good chunk of the time so now I have a reason to tag along and build up some night credits.

Antarius

I'm Globalist and Ambassador, but have been using Hyatt as my primary. Much better benefits and they actually seem interested in treating you well. Keep Marriott as a backup (or Hilton) due to footprint.

yurtripper

It's always worth having a backup program - especially with Marriott's habit of going AWOL with global promos over an entire summer.

I've booked all stays with IHG since the beginning of June and up to the end of August. That's 25 nights going the way of IHG instead of Marriott. People do respond to incentives but, given the unmitigated garbage Marriott has sent to me as a targeted promo (and an email reminder I received today to make full use of it), they appear to assume I'm not the kind who needs them (wrong!)