Marriott Withdrawal in 2005
 

My leaving Marriott in 2005 is different than many of the posters who are moving away from Marriott properties. Today, I received word that I will be starting 2005 in a small Midwest town and will be there for an undetermined amount of time. Upon checking the town’s lodging choices within 30 miles, my choices are a Motel 6 and a Comfort Inn. After spending 149 nights in 2003 and thus far 167 nights in 2004 in Marriott properties, my withdrawals have begun. :(

I have a co-worker in a similar situation. They drive close to 45 minutes a day to stay at a Hamptons Inn as opposed to the Motel 6 in town. Their other choice was a B&B and that was NOT in the cards for them at ALL!

Well, if your Comfort Inn is decent, Choice Hotels do offer a frequent stay program. No elite membership or anything fancy, but free nights can be accrued relatively quickly, and, since a couple of months, redemption can occur at any Choice property worldwide (including Europe, Asia, Australia, etc.). Another drawback is that you can't book an award earlier than 30 days prior to arrival, but, IME, availability is decent within that narrow window.

You're right, choice is OK, not great but they at least did have a OK program.

A couple of years ago I had to spend about 5 months, during the week, at a choice property. At the time their rewards offered gift certs to places like home depot, bed bath, that kind of stuff. We were building a house and bought almost all light fixtures, ceiling fans and new pots and pans for my fancy big kitchen.

If its any consolation living in Europe makes it even harder to accrue Marriott nights. I spend a lot of time away from home but can usually only find a Marriott property around 20% of the time. The hotels are usually expensive and I will probably never rise above silver.

Hello all...wanted to provide a follow-up to my original post in this thread. I stayed at the Comfort Inn for a couple of weeks. A decision had to be made, either I was going to shoot myself or find someone to do it for me. :D I took the third choice, which is to drive to a HI Express 41 miles away. Since it is about 95% Interstate of the 41 miles, the drive is not bad. I am still depressed over my lack of Marriott property stays. There is a CY 64 miles away and believe me the idea has crossed my mind a few times since January 1st. I hope to get back into the Marriott saddle sometime this year and keep my PLT status.