2 months ago I would have recommended two: Hyatt for big cities and Marriott to "fill in the gaps".

Since Hyatt has just devalued all of their outstanding points by about 30%, I can no longer recommend it as a first choice, even as a diamond member.

I have heard nothing but great things about Starwood, so perhaps a Starwood/Marriott focus might be better.

Hilton is worthless - between the dozens of rates, some which qualify for double points, some which don't, and the fact that they owe me 40,000 points and won't look into it, I wouldn't recommend that dog at all.

Marriott also gives you the opportunity to buy heavily discounted gift certificates, which is a super plus in my (check)book. They also have a guarantee that if you are elite and do not get the room you requested, they have to pay you big $$$. I have yet to try out this feature.

I'm Hilton Gold and Starwood Platinum. Before Starwood, I focused mainly on Hilton because Sheraton (in which I was a gold) didn't have enough properties that worked for me. The service I get with Starwood is awesome. I call the platinum concierges anytime, even in the middle of the night on my cell phone, just tell them my Starwood #, and whatever I need and they get it for me. Quick. And with a great attitude.

Hilton CS is open very limited hours, and they don't have a special line for Gold VIP's so you're just talking to any old rep (heck, it's not even an 800#!). I had a question for Hilton CS on Saturday, and I was just out of luck for 48 hours, by which time I had made other plans. I say all this notwithstanding the excellent service I've gotten from Adam Burke and his staff.

But on a day to day basis, the service I get from Starwood is far beyond. And while Hilton almost always gives me an upgrade, and definitely club level if there is one, Starwood almost always gives me these huge suites with awesome amenities. And perhaps the biggest kicker is the rate thing. My stays at Starwood count toward status and promos regardless what they cost. At Hilton there are usually lower rates available that don't earn anything, which means I have to make up the difference to stay on that rate if I want to because it isn't ethical for me to bill my employer more so I can get status/promos. If Hilton would change this one policy, that would go a long way to bettering their program.

Nonetheless, I was really happy with a stay I had at a Hampton Inn recently, and they did give me a great suite, and I also had an awesome suite at the Hilton Waikaloa 2 weeks ago, and great service at both properties.. So it's not that I think Hilton is bad, and they do have some great promos like the 4 stays for 50,000 bonus point one last Fall. I think Hilton has a great lineup of properties, and that if they could match Starwood on customer service and upgrades, then they could win out overall.

As for Marriot, I used to stay with them long ago, largely at Residence Inns before those were included in the program. They canceled my Marriot account when I didn't stay there for a while. I signed up for a new one at a hotel, never received a card or anything from them in the mail. Did it again a year or two later, and did get a mailing but nothing more. I had a couple stays over the winter and I used the marriot number, but they never even sent me a statement. So I'm surprised how many people here love that program. But it must be pretty good to hear the way other FT'ers feel about, so my experience is probably an aberration. Maybe some day they'll comp me status and I'll give them another shot. But keeping top tier status in one program and mid in another is about all I can muster. I won't even requalify gold with Hilton this year at the rate I'm going.

Absolutely Steffo! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Very similar situation here. And the seeming demise of Marriott customer service is "not just you," and very sad indeed! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Tino and Steffo - Hilton has changed the policy of rates and points credit. All rates now qualify for both points and miles, apart from so very low 'special rates'. All the cheap bounce back etc rates DO qualify for double dipping.

Tino - If you read the Starwoods forum, there are plenty of bad things said about starwoods, as well as good.

You pay your money, and take your choice. I prefer Hilton. I don't have a problem with the customer services, perhaps because I use the UK, which is less busy. Adam and his staff can solve anything, and are a great asset, but I count myself lucky, as they are not 'offical' customer service.

The addition of the new hotels, and the changes to the program has allowed me to qualify this year for Diamond, and to rack up a lot of extra points. My status in other programs has reduced as a result.

Currently, I'm a Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, InterContinental 6CC Executive, and Marriott Platinum.

The best program of the above is InterContinental 6CC. It's isn't like most programs since it is a benefit program, more than a rewards program. You pay an entry fee to get into the basic level ($100 I believe), but if you stay so many nights you can move up to Executive or Ambassador status. I'm an Executive level member. The customer service is great. Any conflict is resolved on the spot with a General Manager or Manager on Duty. Guaranteed Early Check-In at 8:00 is a huge benefit for me, since I can get into my room right away after a long overseas flight to Europe from US. Plus, you can get upgraded to a Suite or Executive Level room if available. On the miles front, you get 1,000 in leiu of a rewards program. Overall, you are well recognized.

Of course the downside to IC is the lack of locations. But if you frequently travel to large international cities, they'll be there.

Hyatt Diamond is similar to InterContinental in that there are relatively few locations, but if they are where you need them, they're great.

Starwood has lots of locations, and great service. I often get upgraded to an Executive Level room, with an occasional suite upgrade.

I'm a Marriott Platinum member, but I'm not sure if this will last. I'm doing fewer hotel stays this year (more quick trips), and the 70 night qualification level is too high for the benefits. I've always been upgraded to an executive level floor. But if there is one program to drop, this is it. I'm considering trying to get status with Hilton after I get my status with Starwood, IC, and Hyatt, but I've only stayed in a Marriott a couple times this year.

I think the Marriott program is great, even more so now with the increased number of brands (Courtyard, Fairfield, etc.), but as my travel patterns change, my airlines and hotels must so too.

So I think at the end of this year I'll try to get Gold or (unlikely) Diamond in the Hilton program.

Just my opinions,
Tom

[This message has been edited by TampaTom (edited 06-14-2000).]