Breaking up with Marriott
Feb 23, 2013, 5:26 am
#226
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Hi - I'm in the UK, and have to say I'm very happy with the service I get here. I never expect an upgrade, and it's nice when it (almost always) happens! I'm a big spender with Marriott and Hilton, am Plat Prem and Diamond. Have over 1000 stays with Marriott, but apparently not enough points yet for lifetime.
I wanted to pick up on a comment above - how likely is it that I would get a status match at another chain - eg Hyatt? There aren't many Hyatt properties in the UK, but there are definitely a few I would like to use. I always end up in a Hilton or a Marriott because I don't have status with Hyatt - if they would match the status I would stay there all the time - don't want to 'start from the bottom again!'
Have other users had experience of chains matching status from one program to another? And does it only work in hotels? Could I, for example persuade Virgin to move me up a tier or two in Flying Club with my Diamond and Platinum cards? (that might be pushing my luck, but it's worth asking!)
I wanted to pick up on a comment above - how likely is it that I would get a status match at another chain - eg Hyatt? There aren't many Hyatt properties in the UK, but there are definitely a few I would like to use. I always end up in a Hilton or a Marriott because I don't have status with Hyatt - if they would match the status I would stay there all the time - don't want to 'start from the bottom again!'
Have other users had experience of chains matching status from one program to another? And does it only work in hotels? Could I, for example persuade Virgin to move me up a tier or two in Flying Club with my Diamond and Platinum cards? (that might be pushing my luck, but it's worth asking!)
As for status matching with the airlines, several airlines offer status matching, but do not all do it in the same way. For example, when I status matched from US in 2008, where I was a Platinum (3rd of 4 tiers), DL had (and I think still has) a policy where they status match to Gold maximum (2nd of 3 tiers then, but 4 tiers now). So I could have been a Chairman with US (4th of 4 tiers), and DL would still have only status matched me to Gold. I believe that of the other major airlines in the US, AA will match higher (check in the AA forum), and that CO used to match to higher statuses than Gold, before the merger, but I am not sure whether the combined UA/CO is doing after the merger (best to check in the UA forum for that).
Feb 23, 2013, 7:23 pm
#227
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Hi - I'm in the UK, and have to say I'm very happy with the service I get here. I never expect an upgrade, and it's nice when it (almost always) happens! I'm a big spender with Marriott and Hilton, am Plat Prem and Diamond. Have over 1000 stays with Marriott, but apparently not enough points yet for lifetime.
I wanted to pick up on a comment above - how likely is it that I would get a status match at another chain - eg Hyatt? There aren't many Hyatt properties in the UK, but there are definitely a few I would like to use. I always end up in a Hilton or a Marriott because I don't have status with Hyatt - if they would match the status I would stay there all the time - don't want to 'start from the bottom again!'
Have other users had experience of chains matching status from one program to another? And does it only work in hotels? Could I, for example persuade Virgin to move me up a tier or two in Flying Club with my Diamond and Platinum cards? (that might be pushing my luck, but it's worth asking!)
I wanted to pick up on a comment above - how likely is it that I would get a status match at another chain - eg Hyatt? There aren't many Hyatt properties in the UK, but there are definitely a few I would like to use. I always end up in a Hilton or a Marriott because I don't have status with Hyatt - if they would match the status I would stay there all the time - don't want to 'start from the bottom again!'
Have other users had experience of chains matching status from one program to another? And does it only work in hotels? Could I, for example persuade Virgin to move me up a tier or two in Flying Club with my Diamond and Platinum cards? (that might be pushing my luck, but it's worth asking!)
You get 4 suite upgrade certs immediately. Since Hyatts are a bit more sparse in the UK/Europe, I'd make a plan before asking for the challenge. For the UK, there are only 3 properties; 1 in Birmingham and 2 in London.
Overall, Starwood may be your better choice. They've got some really nice properties in Europe. That's not to say that Hyatts aren't nice, it's just that there aren't enough of them.
I didn't find anything recent on Starwood status match, but maybe this will help: http://loyaltylobby.com/2012/03/24/s...num-challenge/
Feb 24, 2013, 6:09 am
#228
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 226
Boycott Marriott?? Not me!
Having reached and maintained Plat status for many years, why would I want to go elsewhere and forego the Plat benefits I regulary receive?
- room upgrade
- access to lounges
- free breakfast
- free WiFi
- extra MRW points
- arrival gift or the free points
- That little touch of recognition ("Welcome back MR MPops!")
Isn't this why we strive to acheve the status? Why earn it, and then stay elsewhere?
With regards to the pros and cons of the different hotel rewards programs - well, I'm saving my points for when I retire, so I'll just take what I can with what I've saved up. Not to mention the benefits for ever (as above) from the Lifetime status I'm earning (Gold already, Plat by year-end.)
Boycott? I'd have to be mad!
Having reached and maintained Plat status for many years, why would I want to go elsewhere and forego the Plat benefits I regulary receive?
- room upgrade
- access to lounges
- free breakfast
- free WiFi
- extra MRW points
- arrival gift or the free points
- That little touch of recognition ("Welcome back MR MPops!")
Isn't this why we strive to acheve the status? Why earn it, and then stay elsewhere?
With regards to the pros and cons of the different hotel rewards programs - well, I'm saving my points for when I retire, so I'll just take what I can with what I've saved up. Not to mention the benefits for ever (as above) from the Lifetime status I'm earning (Gold already, Plat by year-end.)
Boycott? I'd have to be mad!
Feb 24, 2013, 9:22 am
#229
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Feb 24, 2013, 12:53 pm
#230
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta PM, IC Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Marriott Rewards-Devalued
Hilton H Honors-Devalued
Holiday Inn Points-Devalued
Omni Select Guest-Devalued
Wyndham Rewards-Devalued
Starwood-Not in smaller areas
Hyatt-Not in smaller areas
There's always something to complain about. Find what works, and make the best of it.
Hilton H Honors-Devalued
Holiday Inn Points-Devalued
Omni Select Guest-Devalued
Wyndham Rewards-Devalued
Starwood-Not in smaller areas
Hyatt-Not in smaller areas
There's always something to complain about. Find what works, and make the best of it.
Feb 27, 2013, 9:23 pm
#231
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: somewhere in F, hopefully
Posts: 670
Already made the switch to HH and reached diamond this week on a status match challenge. Using the last of my MR next month and getting rid of my MR cc's shortly. Very happy at Hilton thus far...been staying at Hilton properties exclusively since October. Locations are better, perks are better, properties are nicer, prices are better, and the overall treatment I receive is MUCH better. Even the food service menus are better than Marriott's. They have a lot of resorts in areas where Marriott does not which is a major + to me.
Last edited by sunnyjl; Feb 27, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Feb 28, 2013, 1:13 am
#232
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AAdvantage, United MP, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,137
Already made the switch to HH and reached diamond this week on a status match challenge. Using the last of my MR next month and getting rid of my MR cc's shortly. Very happy at Hilton thus far...been staying at Hilton properties exclusively since October. Locations are better, perks are better, properties are nicer, prices are better, and the overall treatment I receive is MUCH better. Even the food service menus are better than Marriott's. They have a lot of resorts in areas where Marriott does not which is a major + to me.
Feb 28, 2013, 4:40 am
#233
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Already made the switch to HH and reached diamond this week on a status match challenge. Using the last of my MR next month and getting rid of my MR cc's shortly. Very happy at Hilton thus far...been staying at Hilton properties exclusively since October. Locations are better, perks are better, properties are nicer, prices are better, and the overall treatment I receive is MUCH better. Even the food service menus are better than Marriott's. They have a lot of resorts in areas where Marriott does not which is a major + to me.
Maybe you think that locations are better, properties are nicer, prices are better, and overall treatment received is much better, because it is A) a shiny new penny you have found; or B) it is necessary for Hilton to be better in your mind, to justify your change from Marriott to Hilton (FWIW, this is a proven psychological phenomenon).
Feb 28, 2013, 6:46 am
#234
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Maybe you think that locations are better, properties are nicer, prices are better, and overall treatment received is much better, because it is A) a shiny new penny you have found; or B) it is necessary for Hilton to be better in your mind, to justify your change from Marriott to Hilton
Marriott is not superior everywhere, just as Hilton is not. If someone is happy w/ Hilton after switching from Marriott, then Hilton is probably the better program for them.
There is no right or wrong program, just one (or more than one) that meets someone's needs/goals, whatever they might be.
Re: the B, that could be reversed back at you
Cheers.