Advice on US hotel program
 

Not really sure where to post so if moderator think its more appropriate to post else ware please move the thread. Searched for a general hotel program thread..

We have the last two years expanded our business to include the North American market and the previous year I had some 20 days in various locations throughout the US and Canada. Since there is a somewhat difference in EU/ME/RU programs and hotel offerings compared to the US I am hesitating on which program to focus on.

The recent couple of trips I’ve stayed at Hyatt, Mariott and Hilton, I would rank them as more or less equal in fulfilling my desires when on business.

I'd say that Hilton is the one that would give me most benefits in Europe but since I may look forward to some 40 nights a year what would your preferred program be only based on the North American part? I am having some 80 nights on average per year in total outside of Scandinavia.

In Europe I mostly stay at boutique hotels with special programs for each country, example UNA in Italy, Vincci in Spain, etc etc which gives great value and recognition. In the ME and RU it is usually the best value and proximity to office which is the major decision maker.

A major benefit to me would be free nights (of course on top end properties ;-), as a perk as it is a good way to facilitate leisure travelling with the family.

As for FF programs I am SK*G and on my way to LH Sen if that is anything to take in consideration.

Would be happy for any thoughts and/or suggestions.

Regards,

anbrand

If you care about free nights, I would not choose Hilton for your NA business. For the next three months Hyatt is running their "Faster Free Nights" or FFN promo which usually happens once or twice per year. You will earn a systemwide free night certificate for every two stays on top of the normal (generous) point offerings. One downside of Hyatt is that they tend to have fewer international properties. Having said that, many of the properties they do offer internationally are great hotels (check out the PH Paris).

If you don't go with Hyatt, I would choose Starwood. They have great presence in Europe and Asia (better than Hilton IMHO) and top-notch hotels. You can also convert Starpoints into M&M points at very favourable conversion rates (20,0000 : 25,000) if you find yourself in need of additional airline miles.

As a third choice, in your situation I would recommend IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group) over either Hilton or Marriott. Much better promos/earning potential and great coverage in Europe.

The only compelling reason to choose Hilton or Marriott is if your business in NA takes you to a lot of small towns and/or rural locations where Hyatt and Starwood are non-existant. However, IHG has tons of coverage in these secondary markets and their revamped Holiday Inn product is pretty decent.

SG

I would tend to Starwood because of Meridien and high quality European properties as well as pretty good coverage in the US. IHG would be my next choice because of the coverage for both Intercontinental and Holiday Inn. I am not a big fan of HI, wbut the coverage trumps some preferences. My third choice would be Hilton.

In your situation the Hyatt would be last because of their fairly spotty coverage everywhere. They are a very good choice if your travel includes their locations but it is essential to know you'll be travelling where they are.

Snow Goose, jbcarioca

Thank you for your response!

I have an upcoming trip next week to Orlando and Miami (10 days) and am considering the Hyatt due to the prom mentioned above. It would give me 5 nights just out of that trip (could on choose any Hyatt property or is it limited to a certain level?).

As it looks right now my I won’t abandon my small chain policy in Europe hence I don’t favor the larger properties available in favor of small familiar ones. So it’s mainly for US redemption.

Because the topic of this thread is more about hotel frequent guest loyalty programs in the United States in general and not specifically to Hilton Hotels Corporation or the Hilton HHonors frequent guest loyalty program, the new home for this thread is now the MilesBuzz! forum.

Thank you.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

Please note that Hyatt FFN promo is based on stays (not nights), and that you need to register for the promo. Therefore 10 nights in Florida = 5 free nights in ANY Hyatt property assuming you hotel hop every night (i.e. you don't stay in the same property more than one night in a row. This works great if your business tends to be single night stays and/or you don't mind the inconveniance of switching each night of your stay, not as well for extended stays. However, this is a bonus promotion on top of very generous point earnings for each stay. Please see the Hyatt forum for more details.

SG

i would pick starwood over hyatt & hilton....

starwood has more properties than hyatt & have great benefits for their top tier members....

hyatt would be my second choice....while they have limited number of properties (as compared to spg & hh), they do have great promos....

hilton would be at the bottom of my list for a number of reasons which i don't want to get into over here....their program has just been going downhill....