Okey dokey. I'm in a nutty situation where I'll fly down to DFW, stay there for one night, then fly to SJC, stay there two nights, then back to DFW one night before returning home.

At this rate, I've had to do this three times so far, and I've given all the business to Marriot (only a silver member). There are many more coming.

Now I find out that the only way to get to Gold is by 50 nights a year.

Problem is this. I'm already a Hilton Gold, and I can get to Diamond with stays at this rate quicker than I'll ever hit Gold in Marriott (cmp 4 nights vs 3 stays each week when Hilton Diamond needs 28 stays and Marriott Gold needs 50 nights).

The obvious answer is that Marriott loses my business. What are the answers that I missed ? Oh, and the Renaissance in Richardson has a great lounge, that's why I want to hit Gold. The Manager there has let me in a couple of times at his discretion.

Cheers,
Ben.

Marriotts "nights" counting rather than others "stay" counting is why we are at Marriott. Mr. Sprite travels sometimes for 10-12 nights at time, same hotel, two at most. He can have 50-100 nights at Marriott where he'd only have 5-10 stays at someone like Hilton. He does find, as you have, that when managers get to know you at hotels you frequent often they will do nicer things for you. I would recommend, as the trip is always the same, that you talk to each manager and see if any of them will give you benefits at their own hotel when you come. Marriott really works well for us. Happy travels!

Of course, Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood also grant status based on stays (and often at lower levels then Marriott for the same tier), so if you do spend two weeks at one of those properties, you may only get one "stay", but you rack up the "nights".

With Marriott, it's all or nothing. 50 one-day stays or one 50-day stay is what it takes to make Gold.

If your travel is always multi-week, then Marriott's current program has it's benefits. But if your travel is measured in days, and especially low single-digit days, for what it takes to make Marriott Gold you could be Hilton and Hyatt Diamond and possibly SPG Platinum, as well.

Thanks. It was as I suspected, which really means that Hilton gets my business. I'd find Diamond more useful than Marriott Gold, and yup, it's always going to be low night count stays. Wonder if they know this works against them as well as for them

Quick question...the 2 days we stay in Vancouver before our Alaskan cruise will top me off at Gold. Will they consider me Gold status (i.e. automatic access to teh Club room upstairs, etc.) since those 2 days will give me the 50 stays needed? Does anyone have any experience with the Renaissance in Vancouver? Thanks.

Contact Marriott Rewards Customer Service. They may just bump you up to Gold now so it will be reflected when you arrive in Vancouver.

Of course, other people can travel the patterns I do and stay a lot of nights at Marriott properties. I have currently 107 nights at Marriott properties this year. I should be around 160 nights, or more, before I am done. My last night stayed was in Renton, WA last week and some fellow FTer had some lame excuse that he was in San Diego at some convention.

Convention or the BA Grill? Seems like a no brainer to me as the meat at the BA Grill is fabulous.

Back to the night stays, I like Marriott because, as a Platinum, I have some benefits that are wonderful. I also have a lot of points and am accumulating them for future personal stays. I could switch to Hilton Honors or Priority Club for the remainder of the year and probably become Platinum on them but I am staying with Marriott so I can rack up the points.

Back to BritBen, best of luck with which ever program you select. ^

Yes, just as in airline FF programs, they all have their differences, and ultimately you have to go with the one that works best for your own personal situation.

For the record, even alanw would take the 45000 points I earned at the San Diego Marriott and Marina over dinner at the BA Grill, so no guilty feelings here, pal.

So you mean to tell me that I am not worth 45000 points. Man, I am a sad puppy now.

Besides, Missy slapping me upside my head was bad for my ego.