SkiAdcock

hhoope01

I would assert that Hilton comes pretty darn close to matching the breadth of Marriott.

Yes and No. The problem is most programs tend only give you one status match. So unless you can maintain that level, you back to having to "earn" it again in other years. This is where those LT status levels can be very nice to earn. ^


Over all, I don't really argue with CJKatl's assessment, but I will say earning points in a single program may not be the complete picture. For example, while Marriott may have a large breadth of hotels all over the world, there are still places that Marriott doesn't cover very well (or as well as some other hotel chains might.) Also, even though Marriott may have a nice option in a location, it might not be available when you need it. So having pionts/status in a backup chain (or 2) can be very helpful.

Also, different programs definitely have different "sweet" spots for awards. I still think that Marriott's TP awards are probably the single best hotel award in any program. But if you need a short stay in a non-metro area, sometimes Marriott's award structure isn't the best. So sometimes splitting stays across multiple chains can be beneficial (even if it means the total number of points I get might not be completely "optimized" within the Marriott program.) Note that I've always been impressed with pinniped's various posts across multiple hotel chain forums on where those "sweet spots" may reside. S/he is vary articulate and

But overall, especially for those who may not be "road warriors", it may well be in your best interest to pick a single chain and work it as best you can. But the closer someone gets to that true "road warrior" status it probably makes more sense to have secondary and possibly even tertiary programs to earn points in.

lexdevil

Given that I rarely get upgraded, and that I stay at a lot of locations that have a free crappy breakfast for all and/or no lounge for anyone, that's unlikely to make a great difference. And given how much I travel, I would be top tier pretty quickly.

My crankiness is probably being amplified at the moment by my current frustrations in booking our annual family vacation to London. Lots of extra charges and not many upgrade opportunities = a great reminder that I am not special.

darthbimmer

First let me say I agree that the point of earning status should be to enjoy it, not merely to notch it as a win and move on to the next race. For example, when I was flying 140k miles per year I strove to focus my travel with one airline/alliance even when I earned more than 100k (for top tier) with them in any given year. I found the upgrades and RDM multipliers with airline #1 more valuable than attempting to earn, say, mid-tier status with airline #2. I've done similar with hotels.

But that equation would change if I could maintain top-tier status with two companies. For example, if I were flying 200k+ annually I would strongly consider maintaining top tier elite status with two airlines (barring some special super-elite tier like UA's GS that requires the extra flying).

This is where LT status comes in. With LT status I don't have to work to maintain status at Company #1. If I'm still traveling often enough to maintain top-tier status with some company, I might as well take a status challenge for Company #2 -- so I start getting elite benefits right away -- and then continue to earn status with them for a few years. I figure CJKatl is in this kind of situation as he's met Marriott's LTP requirements twice over.

JackE

>First let me say I agree that the point of earning status should be to enjoy it, not merely to notch it as a win and move on to the next race.


"Merely" does not give the next race enough credit. Multiple programs means benefits in more locations as well as protection in the event a program becomes worthless for various reasons.

s0ssos

I agree. I feel many people (myself included) get into the maintaining status just for the reason of maintaining status. One really cannot justify all the stuff we do.

ccengct

Like others on this thread who aspire for lifetime status, I am long on nights but short on points as a consequence of working for companies that give their employees credit cards and then prohibit use of personal cards when traveling. I have sufficient nights for lifetime gold but am several hundred thousand short on points. Given that I expect to retire in 16 months, I'm not going to close the gap on points simply by traveling more. What's are my options? Credit card is one. Buying points at prevailing prices is not palatable. Any other options for big chunks of points?

CWAL

If you can stomach the idea, head on over to Manufactured Spending and have a blast.

qazw1

Are there any airlines that transfer miles to Marriott points?

I personally do not view lifetime status as being that worthwhile that one should really pursue it.

MSPeconomist

Make sure to get MR MegaBonus points when possible. When it was three promos a year, maxing out meant 100,000-150,000 extra points annually. Many people are getting a 45,000 point offer for fall, so be sure to check your account and register.

mooper

Transferring from many airlines is possible but usually a horrible deal. How many points short are you? You can buy 50K points per yer. You could sign up for the Chase Marriott card and get an 80K point signup bonus, then either cancel or dip into some Manufactured Spending as CWAL suggested.

TooMuchTravel73

LMAO. Guilty. I could not even start to thing how many MR's over the year to maintain Status... Well sure I've got an extra 12 hours to burn on a STL-SJU trip...

Though... I just qualified for double LT Plat on Marriott, just hit my 1,500th night... Nothing from them in case you were wondering

bosman

+1 CC sign up bonuses will close the gap the fastest

sdsearch

If the Ritz card went back to offering 140,000 MR points as a signup bonus, that would close the gap the fastest. Unfortunately, some time back they switched to offering free night certs instead as the only signup bonus, and that helps not a single bit with closing the gap between LT nights and LT points.

mav

Can someone please show me where Manufactured spend is? I have almost 500 nights and not even 500,000 points yet I have a looonnnggg way to go. TIA
Maria