I ended up paying cash for Vana Belle which was 30-50% more than RC Langkawi with breakfast included in paid rate. I was also also checking on points (I find Marriott's point redemption much much better than Starwood's so was looking at using points there. With my valuation of points + paying for RC breakfast, it was still considerably cheaper than VB on a paid rate). But I still paid for VB because of breakfast and I felt I would get better recognition (and the VB rec blew blew me away). Totally recommend that property by the way.

What I have started doing is earning points at Starwood and redeeming them at Marriott's. For example, the JW Marriott HK is much more expensive than the Sheraton but marginally more expensive on points.

My own preference is they keep the programs as is. Marriott has been quite generous with everyone so far. And their numbers seem to suggest that they are doing well post-merger, and I bet a large oart of it is SPG's are staying at Marriotts now where there are no Starwood properties, trying new ones... and more Marriott people trying out Starwoods as well. The current system I think makes people stay loyal to their brand to requalify but then let's them brand out after.

I missed ambassador this year becauseI switched so many nights ot Marriott. I am happy w my choice as the JW Marriott Phu Quoc is gorgeous.

So in the end you wound up paying more for your "free" breakfast via the higher room rate then staying at the RC and separately paying for breakfast, but maybe they made their eggs with sliced gold................

Agreed! I think somebody missed this part, too:

So in the end, the value-add due to SPG Platinum benefits made it even more worthwhile--between the villa upgrade and the free breakfast. Turns out that RC may be losing customers like that and me for similar reasons. And some people still live in denial...

I think somebody missed this part, too:

So in the end, the value-add due to SPG Platinum benefits and recognition made it even more worthwhile--between the villa upgrade and the free breakfast and other little niceties and elements. Turns out that RC may be losing customers like that and me for similar reasons. And some people still live in denial...

Also, I'd think the Marriott/RC people would be thrilled to see one less SPG Plat flooding another RC/Marriott property. Noah was watching.

Indeed - the recognition at Vana Belle was worth the extra money by far even though the eggs were dripped in foie gras and not gold. Aside from the villa upgrade and tangible things they offered, it was the recognition from the staff that was important... that I would never have gotten with RC. Never.

The GM and head of rooms both met my family when we arrived. They knew my whole family's names and the GM spent some time talking with my young son about his hobbies, making him feel special. They also made a special chocolate that blew my mind away to recognize an achievement/ milestone in my professional life. It is a publicly known thing, but I was shocked they knew about it... and acted upon it.

In other words, they put thought into who I and my family are and went out of their way to show they value my patronage. They clearly had people thinking about me, what I do, and things that are happening my career and how to show appreciation. Was that worth the extra couple hundred bucks a night?

Absolutely.

Can I afford the most expensive villa? Yes. Can I expect a commemorative chocolate at any chain no matter how much money I stay if I am not loyal? No way.

And that is why I remain extremely loyal to SPG. Extremely.

I appreciate that -- and thanks for the info on the VB property. It looks like an excellent property and its now on my list.

But .. last year, I checked in at the Seattle Airport Marriott on a decent corporate rate. When I checked in, there was some clicking away, and a couple of minutes later, the manager on duty walked over to chat with me, check on my flights, make sure the shuttle was OK and to check on what time I was leaving in the morning. 20 minutes later, room service knocked on my door, with a handwritten card from the hotel GM thanking me for staying at the hotel (along with his cell number) and with a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. This wasn't a welcome gift. -- just an engaged GM. I was on the phone with a friend who wanted to know if I was at the Four Seasons.

Then there was the Grosvenor Square Marriott. At check-in, the GM suddenly appeared, knew my details, and chatted for a few minutes. I was told I had been upgraded to one of the better suites, offered the contact info and a hotel car, and a genuine conversation. 30 minutes later the FD Manager appeared with room service and a bottle of champagne.

In contrast, I contacted the GM and FD Manager of the W Scottsdale after a compendium of issues. My concerns were specific and this was the only time I have written to a hotel GM ever to complain. I've yet to hear an answer from either of them. Maybe they get a lot of complaints from Plats so my didn't stand out.

Then there is the Fair Oaks Marriott -- birthday card and cake .... not requested but obviously genuine ....

The difference in these experiences really isn't an aspect of the the particular program -- it's a function of an engaged manager. I'm not familiar with W management structure but the two Marriott properties were franchises and their rates were far below a RC/StR/LC property -- yet the GM's of those properties were personally engaged who cared about the hotel in the long term. In contrast, I suspect the GM at the W Scottsdale was concerned about the bar revenue for the night.

So, IMHO, elite recognition isn't really a function of the flag or the price point -- its an engaged GM. The GM of the JW Cabo is not engaged. The GMs of the JW Miami Marquis and JW Miami are engaged. The GM of the W Miami and W West LA are engaged. The GM of the W Scottsdale is not. And many of these memorable properties with engaged GM's are routine road warrior hotels -- not Koh Samui destinations.

Keep digging yourself that hole - no one is jumping in with the faulty, nonsensical logic.

You don't have years of SPG Plat experience, and you don't have SNAs, so I can understand why it's so tough for you to comprehend (despite the years of legal experience). I don't book suites for my vacations as I stay at luxury properties, use SNAs, and yet get upgraded most every single time. And almost always enjoy a fantastic (full) breakfast. Do I bat 1000% on suites? No. Am I in a suite on virtually every vacation stay? Yes. Along with probably half of my business stays at hotels with them.