Which is better...
Apr 4, 2007 | 3:27 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
I honestly haven't looked at it that closely but with ADR's rising isn't the earning power per night being inflated as well?
Apr 4, 2007 | 3:54 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
IMHO it is best to have the status with multiple hotel chains and it is NOT worth being "loyal" to one specific brand. Last year I had 300+ hotel nights of which Marriott got 135, Hyatt 70, InterContinental 48, and Hilton 24. Do you really think that these hotel chains are loyal to you?
None of the chains are strong all over the world. I also like staying at IC's when travelling for fun because of RA benefits that far outweights Marriott Plat benefits. During the Hyatt's yearly FFN promotion I swing my all stays there.
None of the chains are strong all over the world. I also like staying at IC's when travelling for fun because of RA benefits that far outweights Marriott Plat benefits. During the Hyatt's yearly FFN promotion I swing my all stays there.
Apr 4, 2007 | 6:41 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Delta platinum Marriott Plat. Avis Preferred US Air Platinum
Posts: 194
I believe that the majority of Platinums on this board believe that Marriott is a good product and the rewards are excellent.
I realize that Marriott will never please everyone and there will be complainers. Their complaints are legitimate, but once again Marriott will never please everyone.
You next move should be to go to the other boards and ask their thoughts on their favorite hotels, programs, etc.
Compare, and make your own decision.
As for me, I am happy with the hotel and the family of hotels that Marriott offers. I also love the rewards program. I stay in some Hiltons during the year, but I prefer Marriotts. I also think they have quite a few hotels in places I like to vacation, so I never have a problem getting a room on points. I do plan ahead, however, so this probably works in my favor.
I realize that Marriott will never please everyone and there will be complainers. Their complaints are legitimate, but once again Marriott will never please everyone.
You next move should be to go to the other boards and ask their thoughts on their favorite hotels, programs, etc.
Compare, and make your own decision.
As for me, I am happy with the hotel and the family of hotels that Marriott offers. I also love the rewards program. I stay in some Hiltons during the year, but I prefer Marriotts. I also think they have quite a few hotels in places I like to vacation, so I never have a problem getting a room on points. I do plan ahead, however, so this probably works in my favor.
Apr 6, 2007 | 1:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Summerville, South Carolina, USA
Programs: Continental million miler Plat, Marriott & Six Continents Platinum; Diamond HHonors, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 23
I prefer to go for the Plat in as many programs as possible to insure that there will be a property where I can use my benefits at no matter where I travel. But I also go for as many points as possible for free vacations. I recently cashed in 360,000 Marriott Reward points a 10 day Western Med cruise on Holland America at the end of the month.
Apr 6, 2007 | 5:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 116
I'm leaning toward Marriott.
I typically spent about 200 nights a year.
About 140 nights at Marriott
About 60 nights at Starwood so I could retain Platinum status.
I typically spent about 200 nights a year.
About 140 nights at Marriott
About 60 nights at Starwood so I could retain Platinum status.
Apr 7, 2007 | 10:04 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MCI ** UA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,297
Doesn't always work. I had a 2-year engagement so got an apartment and lost all status. The following year Marriott gave me a plat challenge (18 nights to plat(?)) based on my previous expereience with SPG (plat for 3 years). I had an opportunity to switch back to SPG and was going to, but they refused to match status since I'd already been plat in the past... so they've lost ~$25k from me in the past year. Why would I want to re-earn plat with SPG when I'm already receiving the perks & benefits as a Marriott Plat, and have a choice of SPG or Marriott properties?
Sometimes the status match won't work....
Sometimes the status match won't work....
Apr 8, 2007 | 11:54 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt diamond, Usair Northwest silver
Posts: 35
both MR platinum and HH diamond
Hello,
I think its a good plan to have 2 top tier programs. While I prefer FS Marriotts and Renaissances',Hilton blows away Marriott in the mid tier hotels. Both HGInns and Hamptons are far superior to most courtyards and Fairfields.
I think its a good plan to have 2 top tier programs. While I prefer FS Marriotts and Renaissances',Hilton blows away Marriott in the mid tier hotels. Both HGInns and Hamptons are far superior to most courtyards and Fairfields.
Apr 12, 2007 | 12:30 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chicago, US
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 82
I couldn't agree more, find out where you want to play, that will tell you where to stay! @:-)
I happen to have top memberships at Marriott, Hilton and Starwood this year but that is not by choice...if up to me, I would spend every hotel night in a Marriott property. My logic is based solely on where I choose to use my points and that is what drives where I stay primarily. I vacation at Ritz Carltons and some of the other Caribbean FS Marriotts so hence my reason for staying there but I also like their properties overall. If you are vacation centric like I am and utilize your points to the max then I say, figure out where you plan on going and target the hotel program based on that...