Hi, all,

I'd appreciate some advice about how to most effectively enroll in a Marriott Rewards program. I anticipate staying about 50 nights per year in Marriott hotels, most likely the Marriott Courtyard. Though hotel upgrades are always appreciated, I am most interested in miles toward travel. That said, the benefits with points seem to be significantly greater, and I read that points can be transferred to miles anyway. My company pays for the hotel rooms at a discounted rate, and I am not sure whether or not this hampers my ability to earn these rewards.

With respect to airline programs, I have typically chosen the least expensive flight within my search parameters. I would like to start building loyalty with an airline, and I'd certainly appreciate suggestions on which program is best, especially considering my anticipated hotel stays. My research so far has indicated that Southwest would be the quickest way to generate a free flight, but any comments would be appreciated.

In sum, I'd appreciate knowing:

1) whether points or miles are generally best for someone staying approximately 50 nights at Marriott hotels who cares more about traveling than upgrades or hotel amenities.

2) if miles are indeed best, which airline program is best.

Thanks,
Kanonball9

It depends on exactly how much you fly, but my personal logic has been to get points, as I get enough airline miles by flying.

I did points and have been able to stay three weeks in various places in Hawaii. Like the man said, I get enough miles flying.

Here's where I'd start...

1) Figure out what airline you're going to fly. To be honest, you can ask for people's favorite airlines all you want, but 90% of your decision to pick an airline will be your location and your destination. If you live in Phoenix, you'll go US Air. If you live in Atlanta, you'll go DL, etc. Especially if you're traveling for business... leisure travelers have a bit more flexibility, but as a business traveler, you're going to want the most routes / flights to and from your primary / possible destinations.

2) Stick to that airline's alliance for all your flying. Credit all your airlines to that single airline's mileage program.

3) Figure out which hotel chain you're going to stay at (looks like you've picked Marriott). Be loyal to that chain, and get that chain's points, not airline miles, when you stay there.

4) Figure out a credit card, and get that one. Many people here get lots of cards to get the sign-up bonuses, and maybe you'll do that some day, but I would decide either between the Marriott Premier card or the card for whatever airline you'll choose to fly. Use that card exclusively for all your travel costs.

5) Enjoy! You'll find that as a business traveler, if you stay loyal to an airline, stay loyal to a hotel chain, have a credit card in one of those two, and get airline miles / hotel points, you will be a happy camper! Very soon you'll have enough points and miles for a great trip.

6) Keep reading travel blogs, flyertalk, etc. As you travel more, you'll learn about your travel preferences more, you'll learn about things you like in other airline / hotel programs, etc... Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to switch if you find something better! I was exclusive to Marriott for a really long time, but I figured out that with the Premier VISA, I can requalify for Marriott Plat pretty easily, even if I stay my first 25 stays of the year at SPG properties - so I get plat in both programs. Anyhow, it can get complicated, and here on Flyertalk, many people have far more complicated schemes! But if you start w/ just a hotel and airline program, you'll be in the right spot.

Tip: I would also sign up for Expedia Rewards points. Book all your flights (but not hotels!) w/ Expedia, and you'll get one point per dollar you spend. You can eventually earn a $1000 hotel coupon, which you can use at hotels other than the hotels where you have loyalty too!. And sign up for BigCrumbs. It's a referral site that will pay you $3.20 for every flight you book on Expedia. So basically if you book a flight on United.com, you'll get the miles you're entitled to for flying as well as credit card points for the card you used. If you book that same flight with Expedia via BigCrumbs, you'll still get your United miles, you'll still get your credit card points, you'll also get Expedia Rewards points, and you'll also get a $3.20 kickback from BigCrumbs.

Good luck with your new traveling job!

Welcome to FT, there are some great forums here, & Marriott has some good threads.

The above great post by Hungarianhc is on topic for you. Also some status match, or challenge programs are possible, but... start those at the beginning of the calendar year.

Most of the US domestic airlines are really about the same, your "hub" location & possible Int. flights are the key to decide which one.

Although slightly off topic here in the MR forum, I'd caution you to think long and hard before selecting Southwest. Do you plan to redeem all your award travel for domestic (48 contiguous states) travel? Do you mind always riding in coach? If you answered no to either question, you'll want to look at a legacy carrier (AA, DL, UA, or even US). Even if you plan to save up for a trip to Hawaii or Alaska or if you want to fly in premium cabins for work or vacation, Southwest won't help you there.

If you've already decided to stay with Marriott, the best redemption value - by far - is a Hotel+Air travel package. A Marriott point can easily be worth above 1 cent that way.

There is a thread here for a membership referral - you will earn 1k points extra on your first 5 stays. (Or PM me for a referral if you want.)

If possible, use a Marriott Premier Visa to pay for stays for the bonus 5 points/$, instead of letting your company pay. (Also probably 50-70k plus 1 free night sign up bonus, no annual fee first year. Look for the right offer.)

Ask Marriott for a Platinum Challenge. (There are several threads here about it.) They will often offer you Platinum after 15 nights. Then you can earn the Platinum bonus points and amenity points.

The airline choice is a separate issue. Probably best to choose one airline that you enjoy flying and which also has the redemption opportunities/costs that meet your travel goals - then stick with that one airline as much as possible. Even if you don't care about upgrades, any elite status is far better for flying than none.

One other tip when staying at any Marriott property. Charge anything you can to your room. You get points based on dollars spent, not nights. So room service, internet, etc all mean more points!

Very true about Southwest. It's the airline we use for our business travel, but we never use it for pleasure. Case in point, I have enough points to fly me and hubby to IAD (flying to CDG from there) but I opted to pay $1k to United because Southwest doesn't fly direct. No thanks.

I am turning my Southwest points into gift cards at Best Buy and buying an Asus Tablet Transformer w/docking station for $650! Thanks Southwest!!!