It seems all the travel companies have big bonus mile promotions during winter and summer months -- I'm starting to feel "mileaged-out" and would prefer service benefits for multiple stays, like a massage, upgrades or an amenity. Anyone agree or do you prefer accummulating as much mileage as possible?

The whole point of elite levels is giving something more than just milage in return for loyalty, and off the top of my head I'd venture to say that all hotel/airline programs have elite levels where you get increased benefits for your continued loyalty, though I wouldn't be surprised if there are programs without such elite levels.

Welcome to the board, RWeber...

and for those of you who were wondering about company reps 'lurking' around the boards, take a look at RWeber's e-mail address... *someone* is interested in our opinions!

The question presumes that we cannot use miles for upgrades, amenities, etc. Which is not true. Airline miles can be used for upgrades, miles/points can be used for amenities.

That said, for the benefit of any hotel/car reps lurking around, I have already stated elsewhere that my preference is for hotel points (over airline miles) for hotel stays, and for car rental points (over airline miles) for car rentals.

baobab you fox you---I don't think of looking at people's addresses!

Hi five Baobab!!!Are you sure you hanvn't been an auditor before?

baobab always was a fox. This has been happening for a long time.

Personally, I prefer benefits to miles from hotel and car rental programs. Benefits like RWeber mentioned, a massage and a free space available upgrade to club level, and car rentals should create reward programs like Budget and their "Perfect Drive" program for nice golf clubs, etc.

Well, RWeber, if you are wondering if Hyatt should duplicate some of the programs offered by some others in your line of business, I would say YES!!! For example, an equivalent Hilton frequently gets my business over the Hyatt now because they allow the great double dip. On the other hand, Marriott frequently gets my business over Hyatt because I like the breadth of their program better--you can get golf lessons, vacation villas, and all sorts of things. The new catalog of gifts they just sent out that you could get with MR points was great!! So, we would all like to be treated like the valuable customers that we are!! We are the people who stay frequently, and who keep your occupancy rates up. Why make us choose between points and other amenities? GIVE US BOTH!

I have so many AA miles (over 900,000 in my account to use now) that I prefer hotel points. I stopped getting hotel points quite awhile ago. Hotel points seem to me to be more valuable, For example 3000 points for low end Sheratons. Holiday Inns give points for gifts. Even buying tickets on American Express is a better option than the double points that Citibank Platinum gives for buying tickets on American. You can even still get 500 Sheraton points for renting from National. Hotel elite levels are the same whether you accumultate their points or airline mileage.

'Service benefits' don't do anything for me, if I want a massage I would rather pay for it. I expect my employer to pick up the bill for any in-hotel services, however the miles are mine.

I worry slightly when people talk about 'service benefits', I can see a time when the likes of Hilton say "you can have your HH points/miles OR 50% off your hotel food bill", it wouldn't take long for corporate travel policies to start insisting you have the later.
MF

Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. I want to get upgraded flights, rooms and cars and still pay bargain rates. That's why I give my loyalty to Hilton, Avis, and United and why you'll never see me fly Delta (can't upgrade cheap fares) or stay at Westin (eliminated upgrades from their program a few years ago).

For me its Miles, more miles, more points and upgrades, upgrades and upgrades. The special
little perks that you RWeber mentioned might
be an OK idea, but why not include them as part of a special "You qualified for elite
level again or qualified for a new elite level" as a special thanks for staying at Hyatt or whatever hotel or car rental or
airline you use.

Like if someone stays 25 times at Hyatt within a year give them a massage or a free dinner for two.

Yes, this could be costly but it could build
loyality.

One of the most interesting gifts I received
from a frequent guest program was from Westin
which last year gave me 5K points and 2.5K
miles in United for my "continued loyality."

Plus: Hilton upgrading me to Gold (then sending me a SIlver membership card, I'm confused, will post later.)

So bonus points and "gifts" for elites: A good idea Rweber?

FYI: I will be posting a review of you DFW
Hyatt later. CATMAN

Ouch...I wondered if the e-mail address would show through. Thank you for the responses despite my "lurking" -- all were interesting and in line with what we hear from top tier Gold Passport members (that is 75% prefer points/in-hotel benefits, 25% prefer mileage).

The question is always what will motivate a frequent traveler to change their behavior (the answer to which is probably different depending on how often one travels). I manage Hyatt's airline partnerships, part of which means using mileage to market to frequent flyers...but at the elite frequent traveler level, my impression is that mileage is not as big of a motivator as points or in-hotel benefits. And I think, for the most part, your feedback supports that. Thanks.

Thanks for joining us RWeber, & for letting us know who you are... I, for one, have no problem letting those in the hotel/airline/car rental industries have my opinion - and there are probably many FlyerTalk contributers who would jump at the chance to do just that. We like being listened to...

I didn't look at your profile out of suspicion - I'm just perennially curious about other contributers, as knowing something about them gives me an idea of the sort of information they might be looking for in this forum.

baobab