I was a hilton diamond for 4 yrs and stayed about 195 nights per yr in a hotel. I then stayed with IHG for 1.5 yrs and now my current job has me at 85 nights or so per year and I've been with Marriott for about a year now. It is the best chain, in my opinion, in every way. You'll see soon

No need to list reasons, as I think everyone should experience all the brands and make a choice.

I have not had paid stayed at a Marriott in 6 months (mostly leisure traveler) and do not plan on any paid stays this year. I do not endorse a boycott but Marriott has not motivated me to use there product so I will not even if it means less travel for the next year or two. I am using my overpriced timeshare this year to go to Hawaii and Italy. I am very pleased that I will be able to use up my Marriott free nights in connection with both trips.

This is terrible logic. The worse off Marriott does financially the more likely they are to continue to cut back on everything. Also, as pointed out many times, more rooms does not equal more upgrades. The tampa example is perfect.

That's the answer that Marriott hotels deserve! Thank you buddy for boycotting them ^

Does anyone wonder if they are doing this on purpose to get us to move over to MRI site. That is my guess.

heck I just came back from the other side

that said and done

I won't be staying in any CY's as those are just the worst from a benefits perspective...

the b/f thing on wkds or lack of still bothers me so no FS for me on the weekend

Has anyone taken a closer look at the grass on the other sides?

It's not all that green.

HHonors have been devaluing their program for quite some time (probably as much or more then Marriott - not all that unusual to find properties with standard points being 35000 pts but all "sold out" and you can now find a renamed standard room for 167,000 pts).

SPG certainly has their drawbacks - hell some of the Sheraton Lounges you'd be hard pressed to find a breakfast that's any better then at a Fairfield during the week let alone on a weekend.

May want to do some research - MR is following the devaluation trend that every hotel chain is doing. Unfortunately, they've all been sticking it to me and devaluing my benefits since I'm top tier at all 3. I'd "boycott" but I wouldn't know which one to start the boycott with.

Well SPG gives 500 pts upon Arrival. That is worth about 1500 marriott pts approximately. They also give benefits at RESORTS so if you travel in FLORIDA/Carribean you don't get screwed like you do via Marriott. They give the BEST Room available always for upgrade. They have 7 day a week lounges/breakfast. Their CC option allows you to stay at a hotel you actually would want to and they recognize the St. Regis as if it were just another chain open to upgrades, etc. I could go on and on. Fact is Marriott may have a bigger footprint, may have a few nicer hotels, but that doesn't overide what it doesn't have.

It's clear that each of the hotel chains and each of the loyalty programs has its plusses and minuses. Some may be a better fit for some customers than others. By all means, if you find that one isn't working for you then try another to see if it better fits your needs!

But I expect that Marriott doesn't give a hoot about a small handful of vocal complainers here. Every year I suspect there is a pool of customers who defect, rotating around each of the chains. For every Marriott complainer here there is a SPG complainer who vows "never again!" and switches their loyalty to Marriott. So none of the chains can get too worked up about it.

To me, the most important thing in my hotel stays is to be able to count on a comfortable, functional room, a friendly and genuinely caring staff, and pretty much everything else is gravy. That's not to say I'm not demanding when it comes to wanting a stylish lobby or an intriguing hotel restaurant or a great spread in the concierge lounge or whatever. But Marriott consistently delivers the basics better than any other chain (I stay 98% in FS hotels). And they generally do pretty well on the other factors that take me from being a satisfied guest to an enthusiastically happy guest. That's why, even though I'm lifetime plat, I still spend most of my hotel nights in Marriott beds. A suite upgrade at a Sheraton or free breakfast on the weekend at a Hilton resort are worth a lot less to me than the peace of mind of knowing that Marriott will deliver a consistently great product.

Obviously other people have different priorities, which is fine. And they're even welcome to complain on a message board--that's one of the things this place is for! But don't expect me to join the "boycott" or try to bludgeon me into supporting it.

Can I have all you boycotters' mixed nuts, cheese plates and cheap chardonnay? ^

+1................very well stated...........

i agree. Marriott is one of the best hotel chain. Hyatt is also good. Devaluing the reward chart is something nobody like. But that is life, right?

I am top-tier in all 5 major chains. I have seen benefits drop in all of them. For me it is all about location and price since I pay for my stays out of my own pocket. If a particular location treats me well, I will return. When prices are similar or close for properties at different chains, I will look at bonus points and specials that might be on-going. The recent devaluation will not turn me away from Marriott as they have far too many properities in the locations that I go for me to ignore. My biggest complaint with Marriott is the 50% points for Residence Inn and Towne Place Suites. I like these because of the kitchen and when you are on the road as much as I am it is nice to able to prepare a meal once and a while. The other benefit that Hilton and SPG provide and Marriott does not is that award and C&P stays count towards status. That would be a nice bone for Marriott to throw to us after the big increase.

I will continue to stay at Marriotts when it fits the need, however, I will be cancelling my Marriott credit card. The annual fee is no longer worth the annual certificate and my travel has declined or is varied enough that he bonus points are not worth the CC. I will also probably stay else when the megabonus is a certificate. I can't use them much in Boston now which is where we want to get away for a weekend where we go. Still a couple options on 128 but nothing "downtown" (Courtyard in Brookline used to be a good cat 5 option).

For work right now, staying at carlson hotels because of the triple bonus points. I have always favored bonus points over the annual certs anyway so I can save them for a vacation for a week somewhere.

Cheers.

I use points on family stays and spend as little as possible at all Marriotts. If you see me walking into any Marriott with a little Igloo cooler, say hello. My new personal fee is not spending a dime if possible at any Marriott outside the room charge. Resorts in Cali do not charge Plats resort fee so that's where I'll be. At least they haven't before.