Newb question on picking hotel
 

Hello,
I normally travel very infrequently for work, but just recently I have had to go rather frequently to a small town with multiple Marriott options - including 2 FFs, 2 CYs and a Residence Inn.

Now the FF is the closest to my client site, so I normally just book that, but all the other brands have good negotiated rates with my client, and someone told me they normally choose whatever gets them the most Marriott points.

So now this no-tier member has to decide between the "brand names". Traffic is not a concern as my client site is against major traffic - so if I were to try to maximize reward points (don't need tier, just a "free night" for the family), what would be the "best option"? Would it only matter on the $$ spent?

Thanks!
DG

pretty much, the price of the hotel is the way to maximize the hotel MR points given back.

So a $100/night gives you more points than the $85/night.

So if your client expenses can take it ... the higher room is the more personal reward.

And i assume you don't have status yet where you could get bonuses. Once you get plat status > different hotel brands give options to get 200 or 500 point check-in bonuses. Not a concern yet for you.

So if you can muster it ... the higher room gives you the best reward. Of course, MR points aren't everything! ;) sometimes i don't take a FF even if higher slightly because i don't like rooms that open to the outside, or if the CY charges you breakfast and you wanted a free meal ...

so weigh your personal otions, but $$ / MR is the algorithm.

Thanks for the quick reply - I guess I am keeping my "free meal" and saying no to the extra road time. Negotiated rates are very close to each other (ie 89 vs 95 for FF vs CY).

Thanks!
DG

then def just pick by what's most convenient for you.

W/out % bonuses or check-in bonuses ... it doens't make a tremendous difference for your situation.

good luck.

The RI earns only 5 points per dollar instead of 10, so if points is the main concern, stay away from that choice.

And do be sure to read the reviews on TripAdvisor.com as there can be a wild variation between hotel quality, even within a brand and within a town. Some hotels just know better how to make a road warrior feel welcome.

As mentioned, you will only get 5pts/$ at an RI, but you will get some free breakfast every morning and some evening food Monday-Wednesdays (some RIs may still provide dinner on Thursday evenings as well.) The FFIs will have some free breakfast as well, but normally don't have much food (if any) in the evenings. The CYs, like FFIs, will have 10pts/$. They will normally have a little nicer lobby and rooms than the FFIs, but normally don't provide free breakfasts or dinners.

One thing to check though is sometimes CY rates can include breakfast. So you might want to check that out as their breakfast tends to be a little more complete than the FFIs will.

Thanks all for the info - I did not know that RI was 1/2 the points! - I was considering it because of the extra kitchen facilities... In fact, for on the road family vacations I always tried to get the RI or similar because of the extra space!

So looks like I will continue my current system - book the closest available Marriott.