Dear Phil --

I concur with your sentiments. I am glad that you are happy with Marriott, and of course, one must weigh certain intangibles such as past performance, as well.

I am not in agreement with those who have had just 1 bad stay, at whatever the chain, and then wish to switch. In addition, if a certain hotel or hotels that you frequently patronize are part of one brand then by all means patronize them. That is why I don't cur Marriott out of my initial planning.

Furthermore, they do something that Hilton does NOT do -- they will provide you points for your stay on a 50% off Entertainment discount. I also happen to like where their properties are situated in Montreal over Hilton's, and Rome, as well.

I also received my new MR booklet and noticed that a new Spring Hill Suites is about to open in Montreal, in the historic and truly charming Old Port Section of Montreal. Heretofore, the only chain was the extremely pricey Intercontinental. I am not much of a fan of the Chateau Champlain, so this should be a welcome addition.

In summation, because of Hilton's promos, etc., I mainly first look for their properties, but I do not foreclose Marriott from my lodging choices, they are IMHO 2nd best for my needs.

Why is having a card at a bank where you have regular accounts important? Am I missing something here?

Oh jeez....are we going in to this Marriott vs. Hilton thing ...but again?? I thought we put this to bed a while back.

More precisely, it's not so much that it's my regular bank, as that it has branches in my hometown, so I can take payments in in person (I used to work for the post office, and trust the mail less than ever).

"put this to bed" I like that comment seeing as it is hotels we are discussing

What is the extreme objection to the AMEX card? Curious.

Okay, a bit off topic... but. I have not been in bank in 11 years. Probably because it is in another state where I used to live. I mail all my deposits. And pay bills electronically. Call me a dot.com if you will, but it works.

I wasn't going to post this since it's kind of political and off-topic, but American Express is a major donor to Planned Parenthood.

RoamDog,

An aspect of the hotel chains that I find extremely important is the flexibility of awards. If you are one who makes last-minute trips, forget Marriott completely. Hilton and Starwood can pull it off in under a day, and Hyatt can do it real-time (even if you are already in the hotel lobby). Marriott not only charges you for award service in less than a week, but then has the audacity to charge you to return the certificate if your plans change.

If I boycotted every company that donated to a cause or political party I don't like, I'd be forced to hide under my bed in the dark and eat dirt.

Oh you must have stayed in the same Motel 6 in Bakersfield as I did http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

To answer the original question ..

You seem to want a program that offers the most bang for the buck on business stays and offers a reduced schedule of awards for the lower level properties which is where you intend to use your awards. Pick a few properties from each program and look them up in the awards chart. Try to use comparable properties and awards from each program for comparison purposes.

What you have to do is look at the award schedules and figure out the earnings ratio for each program. Basically, how many stays (and how much in dollars spent) will it take to earn the award you want (or how much in spending yields some number of free nights for the awards you want.)

For Marriott, anybody can earn 15 points per dollar (Enroll in the Marriott Visa, which gives you automatic Silver status. The silver status gives you a 20% point bonus on stays, paying with the MR Visa gives you 3:1 for Marriott purchases.) Marriott has several bonus offers, so you have to figure out which ones you can take advantage of and factor them in somehow.

One of the Hilton fans may be able to provide the analysis for HHonors on points per dollar earned for stays, but for Hilton, there are currently many more bonus offers, so you have to factor that in also.

I'm not sure how to factor in the comparison for SPG because SPG awards have no capacity controls, so the comparison is a bit tougher. Still, somebody may be able to help.

-David

just wanted to comment on something mentioned earlier in this thread. Regarding Hampton INN vs. Fairfield Inns. I disagree that Hamptons are usually the best priced. I have extensive experience using these two chains and I must say that almost always, the Hamptons are significanyly higher priced than fairfields in the same locations and dates. That being said, one should know that in my experience, Hamptons are MUCH better in terms of comfort and quality. They are simply better properties. But, if cost is the main concern, Fairfield Inn have almost always beaten Hamptons by at least $30 a night....

Pointman,

I agree that Hampton's are far more consistent, and comfortable than Fairfields.

In the Southeast US, I find the rates to be much closer than $30. When I "upgraded" from Fairfield to Hampton, I ended up spending $5 - $10 more per night. I have also found Hamptons to be very accomadating with walk-in type coupons, which when applied, actually save me money over FF.

I am gold with both Marriott and Hilton. I agree that Hamptons, in general, are nicer than Fairfields. However, because of my travel patterns, I prefer to stay at Fairfields.

That being said; if most of your stays are in cities with a population of >50,000, I would suggest going with Starwood. I think that the Starwood program is superior to either Hilton or Marriott.

Now I am tickled.....

No secret that the Marriott Family is a collection of Devout Mormons. (Their buisiness, right, and privelege)

I always found it amusing that while they take the time to put the Book of Mormon in every room, they don't mind making $10.00 off of a light porno movie....

Hypocrites? I think so....

DO AS I SAY, not as I do.....