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Just to add, I am interested in IHG, but will explore that avenue after the 2q promos.
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If you are staying 60% at Hamptons and switch to SPG you will no doubt end up staying in real dumps with SPG and driving way out of your way to get there.
Did the SPG thing for seven years as a Plat. Check the SPG offerings where you travel to, look at the rates, and also look at the distance from your appointments. I am 90% sure this will not workout for you based on the info you posted. MR is a good choice as they have slightly more hotels than Hilton and many price options. MR and HH by far each have the most hotels. SPG and Hyatt are substantially fewer. Also, there are quite a few defections from SPG in the last year or two. It's not the program it once was although it has a very vocal following here at FT. |
Originally Posted by qazw1
(Post 13960343)
Marriott points worth far more than Hilton points.
Starpoints are worth far more than Marriott points but again the total reward value per dollar is reasonably similar. The three programs all have slightly different sweet spots: maximizing value is somewhat dependent on whether you intend to pursue those specific awards (e.g., the Marriott Travel Packages, etc.). I still think the Hampton/Homewood mix would be enough to keep me at HHonors, even though I do love the Marriott TP's... There are some pretty bad Fairfields out there. Since many people do Fairfield/Hampton stays sight unseen (picking one while on the road, no ability to research the specific property other than perhaps a drive-around), the overall confidence in the brand is more important. |
Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 13971552)
Yes, they are two different currencies, but the total reward value per dollar is relatively similar.
Starpoints are worth far more than Marriott points but again the total reward value per dollar is reasonably similar. The three programs all have slightly different sweet spots: maximizing value is somewhat dependent on whether you intend to pursue those specific awards (e.g., the Marriott Travel Packages, etc.). I still think the Hampton/Homewood mix would be enough to keep me at HHonors, even though I do love the Marriott TP's... There are some pretty bad Fairfields out there. Since many people do Fairfield/Hampton stays sight unseen (picking one while on the road, no ability to research the specific property other than perhaps a drive-around), the overall confidence in the brand is more important. |
Originally Posted by qazw1
(Post 13974914)
I have been able to find $200/night property in a major city for 10,000 Marriott points. I am lucky to find any Hilton properties for 25,000 points. Unless one must stay at cat 7 properties, Marriott points are worth far more.
Yes, Marriott points are worth more, but with HH double dip set to points+points, you get more points per $ spent. Redemption is absoloutely a YMMV situation, once you've taken into account the greater number of points awarded per $ spent, they're not that dissimilar, although I know the Marriott program well so can wring out every last cent from my points accumulation and redemption, hence I will always acheive better outcomes from Marriott. I strongly expect that a Hilton pointshound would say similar, although the recent devaluation has made their task more difficult. |
Originally Posted by BrightlyBob
(Post 13977430)
Yes, Marriott points are worth more, but with HH double dip set to points+points, you get more points per $ spent.
While Marriott may be the best at the earn/burn ratio, SPG is better for room upgrades, etc. Each one has their own areas of strengths and weaknesses. And as a customer, I look at my travel/stay patterns and at what matters most to me (hotel consistency, suite upgrades, free stays in large cities or small cities, international presence, etc.) and then choose the stay program that benefits me the most. Right now, I'm focusing on SPG, but Marriott has given me Lifetime Plat status, so I'm never too far away and will eventually fall back to them. Priority Club is a good 2nd program for me at the moment due to the volume of bonus opportunities (and SPG's focus on stays rather than nights. And given there is only one Starwood property where I'm traveling to right now.) Next year, I will relook at all the programs, my planned travel for the year, what vacation plans the family may want and then choose which program(s) will best fit me. |
Originally Posted by qazw1
(Post 13974914)
I have been able to find $200/night property in a major city for 10,000 Marriott points. I am lucky to find any Hilton properties for 25,000 points. Unless one must stay at cat 7 properties, Marriott points are worth far more.
The question, for a Plat/Diamond type member, is whether 20 Marriott points is worth more or less than 29 HHonors points. (I'll ignore the Residence Inn issue for now since that only comprises 10% of the OP's stays.) Throw 5 Starpoints in for comparison if you like... Well, that's just one question. There are other questions to ask about the elite perks, quality of the properties, your personal reward desires, etc. But from a raw value perspective, 20 MR and 29 HH are reasonably similar in my book. My last HHonors redemption was a little over a penny per point. My last Marriott redemption was around 1.4 cents/point. They were done back-to-back in the same country in late 2009 so it's a reasonably even comparison. Both good hotels, both good elite treatment, both good awards. (Granted, the weaker U.S. dollar in 2008-2009 made nearly all of my hotel awards in all programs look really, really good on a "cpp" basis!! :D) HH actually had the value edge in my case. In 2010, with the new HH categories, I'd still say it's reasonably even. All I'm saying is that I wouldn't let award value be the primary driver of an HH to MR switch unless there's a specific award you want, like the TP's... |
Conditional Status Match to Platinum and Platinum challenge
Originally Posted by BrightlyBob
(Post 13944873)
As others have said, Marriott don't status match as a matter of course, though have been known to do so, so certainly worth asking, remember however, MR is only interested in nights NOT stays. Indeed this is probably the main reason Marriott doesn't status match, it is, after all, the toughest scheme to gain top status with 75 nights required. So concentrate on the nights you'll bring to them to get their best offer.
Originally Posted by roadwarrior365
(Post 13940298)
too my knowledge marriott doesnt status match, but you can call them and ask for a challenge its like 12 night for gold within a 3 month period. you can to the same for plat, but i dont know the nights required.
subject:Status Match comments: I am starting to travel again, and will be staying at Marriott properties 2-3 times per month. I would like to request a status match or challenge to Platinum Level. I am currently a Hyatt Platinum, Hyatt Account # xxxxxxx. Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards. I am happy to offer you a conditional upgrade to the Platinum Elite level, which will be valid through August 31, 2010; however, an updated membership card will not be processed until the following terms have been met. In order to maintain this status, you must stay 18 paid nights beginning May 18, 2010, through August 31, 2010. This is a one-time offer, and these dates cannot be changed. Once you have stayed 18 paid nights, the Platinum Elite status will be extended through February 2012. The standard requirement to achieve or renew the Silver Elite level is 10 personal paid nights, to achieve or renew the Gold Elite level is 50 personal paid nights, and to achieve or renew the Platinum Elite level is 75 personal paid nights in a calendar year. Should you be unable to stay the 18 paid nights, your account will be restored to your previous level, and the only way to achieve the Platinum Elite level back is to stay the qualifying number of paid nights provided above. Elite nights earned through promotions that appear as non-stay nights in your account do not qualify for this offer. Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance and for making Marriott your preferred hotel chain. Sincerely, xxxxxxx Internet Correspondence Specialist Marriott Rewards Guest Services |
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