I recently reached Gold in Marriott's program. Should I try to reach Platinum? It might be a bit of a reach for me to get that many more nights, but is 'doable'.

Is there much difference between Gold and Platinum? (I am aware of the guaranteed reservation and the extra %5 bonus for points) Do the properties treat you significantly better? Do you receive more, better upgrades?

Alternatively, I might use the rest of my nights this year to obtain some status with Hyatt.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

It's not much different. You already noted the extra 5% bonus on points. You also get a box of snacks at check-in -- no big deal. You have guaranteed availability, even at sold-out hotels, if you make a reservation 48 hours in advance and pay the rack rate. You generally get upgraded nicely, sometimes to a suite.

In summary, not as much difference as with the airlines, but not totally trivial, either.

Bruce

I think it depends on your travel pattern.. i.e. what proportion of your hotel stays you intend to stay at Marriott. If the Marriott stays are high, the platinum is worthwhile. If you plan to stay a third or so of your nights at Hyatt, then it's worth going for status with them.

I finally read the Marriott Gold booklet I got in the mail. One thing intrigued me: it seemed that both Gold and Platinum are upgraded to "our best available room" at checkin. Does that mean suites and so on? I think Starwood is only a one-level upgrade for Gold members.

Thanks!

andrew

I've gotten suites from time to time. The hotels sem to differ quite a bit with regard to how hard they work on upgrades. Some hotels just give me any old room, and I have to object. Then I get an upgrade. Others upgrade me to a great room or suite without my saying a word.

Bruce

I'm a Platinum and I've only been upgraded to a suite in 3 stays out of over a 100. If I don't get onto the Concierge Level I complain, otherwise I don't say anything. Maybe that's the problem..

As Platinum for my last 7 or 8 nights I have received no upgrade - even though I have asked. I find the hotel staff doesn't understand the program and is sometimes not aware we are supposed to get upgrades.

At the Renaissance in Orlando, the clerk told me they had "millions of Platinums" and there is no way they could upgrade me?? I was tired and let it go . . .

Thanks for the replies. It appears that Platinum, in the real world, doesn't offer much more than Gold.

I truly like Marriott for its consistency of product, but I will probably change strategies soon. For the remainder of this year, I will concentrate on obtaining some status with Hyatt.

After the beginning of the year, I will use my stays, where possible, to obtain top level with Hyatt. After that, I will concentrate on Marriott to retain Gold there and drop Hilton.

Thanks again for your comments.

I am so tired of the Platinum snacks. Used to be, each hotel did something unique and you would get maybe some fruit, sparkling water, cookies, nuts. Now you get a generic pre-packaged box with tortilla chips or pretzels (after getting nothing but pretzles on the plane), hi-fat banana chips or trail mix and boring, old flat water (which is usually in the room anyway). Big deal.

I agree. The Plat Box (as they call it) is no big deal. I bring most of it home, and my kids eat it. Their younger metabolisms can make better use of the fat!

Bruce

Yeah, the platbox definitely used to be a sign of local hotel flavor, but more and more often its the same. I don't like that turn of events either. I think for minimal cost they could make it something interesting and keep us Platinum's happy. Oh well. Corporations

Why not go for SPG Platinum!

I am in the same situation as you and wondering if it is worth making the extra effort to reach Platinum. I have just made Gold and have been disapointed. I concur with one of the responses that the Staff do not seem to know the rules. I have never been upgraded and have found, since making Gold six weeks ago, that I have to ask for access to Concierge. I agree that Marriott's are by and large consistent but not in the Gym. Hilton is now offering exercise equipment in the room itsef. I sometimes feel that Marriott Staff takes us for granted and that service is varying more and more. Having said that I can personaly recommend the Northern Kentucky Airport Marriott - best service ever at a Marriott. I will not be trying for Platinum although it is doable for me. I will now balance out with Hilton.

>>Why not go for SPG Platinum!

Due to the patterns of my business travel, I end up in small towns quite a bit. That means that I end up having to use the lower end properties of Marriott or Hilton. The obvious choice for me is Marriott.

For a seondary Hotel chain, that leaves Hilton, Starwood or Hyatt. The folks on the Hyatt board seem to be quite happy with the program. The talk on the Starwood and Hilton boards tends to be rather mixed. (The Hilton and Starwood boards are also much larger, so there will naturally be more complaints)

Perhaps going for the Gold at Hilton would make a good second program, since they have many Hampton Inns and even Embassy Suites at these out of the way locations!

Just a suggestion!

-A former Marriott "lover"