Is it worth maintaining two royalty programs (*wood and HH)?
 

I am debating whether to restart my HHonors program and would like to get some feedback on the pros and cons of maintaining two royalty programs.

I am current a Starwood gold member. I have no chance of making it to Diamond or Platinum.

I can earn enough through stays and credit card spending to become both a *wood gold and a hilton gold, but I am hesitating to split my points into two programs as fewer points in either program will dilute the redemption power for a reward stay.

Last year, I spent 50K in redemption for *wood properties. If I were to split my points this year, I may end up with 25K SPG points and 125K Hilton points.

Can you share some of your experiences in maintaining multiple royalty programs?

I'd go all Hilton. Starwood Gold is pretty much worthless other than the 50% point bonus and the occasional 4pm late check-out that you usually have to argue for. Gold at Starwood does not get you consistent room upgrades or lounge access. If you're not staying frequently enough to get Platinum status, the 50% bonus isn't going to be all that better than staying at Hilton properties exclusively.

HH Gold is easier to maintain (due to HHonors using roll-over, which Starwood does not) and gives you free breakfasts and/or a welcome amenity, as well as lounge access in addition to the bonus points.

Starwood definitely gets the edge on customer service (esp. for their Plat members) as well as redeeming points (no black-out dates, options for cash + points etc.). However, if you're not staying 50 nights a year, Hilton's Gold is the better option.

I am currently debating this same issue.
I belong to HHonors, *wood and Marriott but stay 95% of the time at Hiltons.
Because of recent business requirements (Company says, "You must stay at X hotel on this trip." This normally only happens once or twice a year, but this year it has happened 4 times in 4 months) I am almost half way to getting Gold in *wood.

I was thinking that I would go ahead and start staying at *wood properties to get Gold but then I started reading the T&Cs of the *wood program and reading the *wood forum and I am not too sure now if I will make the effort.

I like HHonors properties and think their awards are a good value. I am still learning about *wood so can not yet make that decision if it would be worthwhile to get status with them (as well as points).

But there is always something to be said for diversification. ;)

Regarding moving stays to Hilton properties...
With 125k HH points AND if you have the HHonors Amex you can redeem a 120k reward (AXON) for 5 days 4 nights (I think or is it 4 days 3 nights) or for just 50k more (which is pretty easy to accumulate - e-rewards, various promotions, HH credit card spending) you can get one of the rewards listed here.

Accrue both. As a HH Gold, you're out of luck for award availability at a lot of different locations (although I'm sure someone will post to the contrary :D). In general, HH Gold has way better benefits than *wood Gold.

As a *wood Gold member, their reward availability rules are definitely much better.

In N America, *wood Gold gets you nothing in terms of benefits other than 50% more Starpoints. However, I've noticed *wood Gold does snag a good upgrade in many international locations (not all the time, though).

In the past, I kept HH because there were quite a few locations that *wood didn't have good hotel coverage. With the recent inclusion of Le Meridien hotels, it's gotten a lot better. (HH is lacking hotels in some parts of the world, too.)

Both programs have their respective "reward sales" so it's tough to make a comparison as to which program is a "better deal".

Of course, make sure you get credit cards to both programs in case you need to bulk up in anticipation of a vacation. :p

I'm currently Hilton Diamond and Marriott platinum. Since I have most of my stays at the bottom end (Fairfield Inns and Hamptons), the upgrade thing doesn't mean that much to me.

I spend about 200 nights a year in hotels, so I have the option of spending them wherever I want, since I pay for them all out of my pocket.

I'm currently accumulating points in the Choice Rewards program, because they run decent bonus promos and they have a lot of properties all over the place. Of course, I'm interleaving these stays with finishing the Marriott Megabonus, and I've got some double point Hilton stays coming up. Yes, I walk around with a calendar and a spreadsheet. :)

My main interest in accumulating points is to spend them, usually in Europe. Over there, both Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold will get you a long way.

My rule of thumb is Marriott in the UK, and take-your-choice elsewhere. Hilton just can't seem to get their act together in Britain. :)

...and by the way...
 

They're called loyalty programs, not royalty programs. :D

Man why did ya have to tell me that?
I have been waiting for my Diamond encrusted PLATINUM Crown to be delivered by SPG. ;)
Oh well back to being one of "the common folk"

Ahhh, the master has spoken. I'm following his footsteps. I'm currently Hilton Diamond and Marriott Gold. Should be hitting Marriott Platinum soon with the challenge.

My reason for changing is:
1. The Hilton property I used to stay is not offering a preferred rate, and the Marriott is.
2. I was upset for not being targeted by HH promo. I decided if it takes going away, that's what I'll do.
3. One issue I have is I really can't do bed hopping while on a business trip. The accounting people will think I'm crazy if I'm hopping every night.

wait...I've been paying 15% royalty all this time for nothin? :D

I have a main program and a couple backups. What's best for you depends on what you're looking for. I can achieve HH Diamond on stays or nights every year. The Diamond points bonus and potential amenities keep me at Hilton properties most nights in excess of the minimum. But, sometimes there's a reason for using a backup program. One example is the Marriott Mega Bonus. 10,000 points extra from 4 nights is worth forgoing the potential HH amenities and points. I am able to do 10 nights yearly to keep a pitiful Silver staus as well, because sometimes a Mariott is my destination or closest to it. My newest backup is Best Western. The best hotel I could find at the best price for Spring Break in Paris turned out to be a BW. So, I scored 16,000 points and a free night certificate (pending) from the current promotion. It's not a great program and I've yet to travel anywhere else that a BW is the best choice, but I'll get a couple free nights. I accumulate MR and BW GCC points much more slowly than HH, but that's OK as long as I keep the accounts active.

It sounds like awards is your focus? If I were you:

I'd choose a main program based on the ability to achieve top status or the best I could do. Hilton is a good program choice if you can get 28 stays in a 12 month period. You'd have no blackout dates. You'd also have a lot of properties to choose from for earning stays and the same number for booking awards. Granted, you don't want to spend your points at Hampton Inn in Coralville, IA, but there are enough quality hotels in interesting cities to make it worthwhile. Then I would accrue points anywhere else, in as few programs as possible, and not worry about status there. When you have a big enough balance, redeem.

I bed hop almost every trip and I am the accounting people. My boss thinks I'm crazy, but he has no objection. :)

Don't forget that if you put $20K on the Hilton HHonors Amex in a calendar year , not a rolling year, you automatically get Hilton Gold Status.

Thanks! I am from one of those places where people can't pronouce the R sound, so that's why the hotel operator always laughed at me when I bring up the topic :p

I agree that Hilton Gold is better than Starwood Gold, but would add that you do get room upgrades with Starwood Gold (which wasn't mentioned earlier).

It's easy to get Starwood Gold by joining United Airlines' Amenity program where you're really paying for the miles, so the Gold status is extra. It's easy to get Hilton Gold because of the numerous fast track programs offered.

So you can maintain both, but I would concentrate your stays with one if you have any chance at all of becoming Diamond. So, it might be possible for you to become a Hilton Diamond and just pay to be a Starwood Gold by renewing amenity every year. That way when you have to or want to stay at Starwood properties, you'll still have status.

Hmmm... Royalty? I've never been treated that good at either SPG or Hilton properties. That would be a nice change though.