This is a very good observation. I must admit I have witnessed other people go through some pretty strange behaivior for points....spending 24 hours in airports comes to mind... :cool:

I to find I need to step back and use the "Reasonable Person Filter" periodically. I do like to route as much of my travel business as possible to MR and Star Alliance; however, I have to balance that with business needs. There are always at least a couple of trips each year where that can be a tough call. Also for corporate meetings, I usually just stick to the preferred corporate airline and hotel for the event. It wouldn't be prudent to do otherwise. For project work, I would say %80+ of my work I can channel to my preferred vendors. The remainder there is a pressing business need which dictates otherwise (e.g. room or ticket cost, significantly better flight schedules on another carrier, etc.) While I'd like to be at 100% on my preferred vendors, it wouldn’t be ethical to do so. So I do as much as I can within ethical boundaries.

--Jon

Marriott and others are losing some of my business. I will go out of my way to stay at the Four Seasons.

That's like saying you test drove a Mercedes, and now you'll be getting one as your company car despite the $200 cash-back and free seat heaters Ford offered you for being a repeat customer.

I would too, if my company would allow it.

Yes, one such form of behaviour is called a Mileage Run !!! There is a whole forum here for people to fly in order JUST to earn miles... which are then spent on even more flying ! The cheap deals/error fares there are marvellous, but some of those Mileage Runners really are the hardcore ! (6 flights in one day; flying somewhere, getting back on the SAME plane and flying back, etc, etc !)

As for the status thing, no need to be jealous nnightmar mate - just use your status with one hotel chain or FF programme to get comp'ed by their rivals, and then have status in all manner of schemes ! :D This is the best part of FT - all the privilages you get for free due to the advise and tips of others. (See the Status Match Thread for tips etc). Or just stay at IC Hotels in the PC scheme - with the promos on at the moment stay about 7 nights and you could be a Platinum !

And, btw, I have been treated badly as a Marriott Silver... last week at the Renaissance NY Times Square (two stays in a row). What a dump, and worst form of American customer service I've ever experienced, quite unbelievable.