Regularity of MR promotions
 

I'm at a crossroads in deciding if I should stay with HH or switch completely to MR. I've been Diamond with HH for years but their lack of promos lately leaves me thinking that the value of HH is not as good as MR when you factor in the multiple Megabonus offers I've used.

For stays without any sort of promos attached I feel HH gives a somewhat better return on each hotel dollar spent as a diamond than MR does as a Gold. This is mostly due to the HH Double Dip, My Way bonuses, and larger elite bonus combined with my point use patterns. However, when MR is running the Megabonus, the balance shifts and the return is much better for stays with MR properties.

I really don't travel enough to maintain a worthwhile level in both programs simultaneously but I'm certain I could keep either Gold with MR or Diamond with HH. So a major deciding factor is how consistently MR offers promos like the Megabonus. So for all of you long time MR fans, how consistent has MR been in offering promos like the Megabonus over the years?

I use MR for megabonus/gift card specials (WHEN they run those) and then use Hyatt as my "other" chain. I have found the Hyatt GP bonus points to be a GREAT value. 2K pts at many chains, and I have short stays (one night)!

A third option like Hyatt or SPG would be nice, however, about half of my travel is to out of the way places that tend to only have HH or MR properties.

If my memory is correct (and I will be corrected if not, so no worries)

MR runs at least 2 megabonus per year; early spring and late 4Q. They usually are in the range of 25 to 50K depending on number of nights. However, they also run what I refer to as a mini bonus - right now there are 3 (stay at a FS on any two w/ends get 5K; stay at a FI on any two w/ends get $2.5K; and a Ren that I am not certain what it is) SO - what is a 50Koffer, will (for me) will end up being about 75K as the mini's are running at the same time as the mega.. Add on my credit card points..............very nice promotion(s).

During the summer, they usually offer BBucks - which then come in handy for the stays needed for 4Q....and then some assorted odds and ends promos.

What puts MR over the top for me is the sheer number of locations, and the variety of service levels they offer (FS down to TPS). There is almost always a hotel where I need one, and I go to some odd places.

I cannot compare to other programs as I have always been with MR, am generally pleased with their properties, how I am treated, and find their promotions to be fair. ^

hope that helps -

Like everything else, the promos (both their regularity and their amounts) go in cycles. Right now it looks like Marriott has the better promos. My suggestion is if you travel enough, have a primary chain to focus your elite status and then have a secondary in case there isn't a close hotel or award availability when needed in the primary. Then at the beginning of every year, look at your planned travel for the year and the various chain programs and decide which chain makes the most sense to be the primary and which the secondary.

I have come to really like Marriott even more than before now that I'm doing more international travel. I know that in the *Wood forum everyone likes to talk about how great (and numerous) their high end hotels are, but I have found that Marriott has the better high end hotels in most of the places I go. In China, Marriott's JW Shanghai is truly awesome. They are the only chain in Wuhan. In London, Marriott has more good to great hotels than anybody else. I'm traveling to the Cayman's in a few weeks to stay at the RC there. From what I can tell, that RC is the best resort on the island. In Cairo, Hilton and *wood both have a few choices, but none match up against the two Marriotts there.

So I would suggest you not only focus your "which hotel chain" decision just on promos and points, but also on which has the better hotel choices where you will be traveling.

Great point. I have top tier status with both Hilton and Marriott, but I've been shifting most of my recent stays to Marriott based on the current Megabonus. My primary consideration in maintaining top tier in both is for the situation you describe - where we want to go someplace but only one chain has properties. Doesn't happen all that often, but there are times when I'm trying to stay at a high-end property and there's only one choice.

OT, to hhoope, enjoy the RC - it's one of our favorite places in Grand Cayman. We normally stay out on the East End but if it's a quick weekend we'll stay at the RC.