It is impossible to rank the hotel programs 1,2,3, etc. You'll have to review the hotel programs according to your travel preferences. Also take into account:
- Locations (do they have properties where you go?)
- How easy is it to redeem (are there capacity controls?)
- Promotions (hard to predict in advance, but you can take a look at past promotions to get an idea of the future)
- How many paid nights do you stay per year (so which level will you achieve with the hotel program of choice?)
- Elite availability when hotel is sold out?
- Prices of rooms
- Range of properties (from low end to high end)
- Types of awards you redeem (do you like to save for high point awards/ are you interested in maximizing nights/ are you interested in cruise or merchandise rewards/ are you interested in converting to airlines, etc.)
- Are your stays typically Short stays (1-2 nights), long stays (5 night or more), or a mix of? Elite qualification could be based on number of stays or on number of nights.

Answer these questions (or rate how much these things mean to you) and you'll get a better idea of which program is better for you.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 08-06-2002).]

Starwood

- No blackout dates or capacity controls.
- Excellent Customer service.

Hilton-Diamond Level

no capacity controls or black out days
excellent customer service

Too bad non-top-tier HHonors members can't enjoy the same.

Thankfully, Starwood doesn't restrict award redemption to top-tier elites.

Between HH Diamond and SPG Plat, HH Diamond wins hands down. All the points you can have with no capicity control to boot.

Definitely SPG for all the reasons already stated and for problem resolution through their coporate office with ANY of their hotels. Also, special treatment/recognition for their elite members, especially platinum.

I'd say Hilton. Good range of hotels (cheap to resorts). Plus they are everywhere, Promos are good (Marriott promos suck, in my experience).

STARWOOD:

--Excellent Customer Service
--Westin Heavenly Bed (the W bed is also a dream--and Sheraton is going to be upgrading all their beds)
--No blackouts on free nights
--Starwod Lurker (aka William) to bail us out when trouble arises


Only downside is limited number of hotels is smaller areas--needs to acquire some other chain to fill this niche.

I jumped from Marriott, where the program now takes more points to get less rewards..and the rooms--ugh!

---

Well said! And I agree!

Yet for me:

SPG > Hyatt > Marriott > Hilton

at this time!

-Mark

On your more-expensive Hampton: was the HI nicer than the FF, or were the motels basically the same? Across the board, I tend to think that HH takes better care of their Hamptons and Embassies than Marriott does of their Fairfields and Courtyards. Yes, a little bit more $$$, but usually a nicer stay. (Obviously, there are exceptions to be found.)

All bonus points aside, this is probably the reason I look to book HH before MR. When I'm paying for my own stays, it's in a mid-range property. When I'm redeeming points, it's in a resort property, and both of 'em have resorts that are plenty nice for me.

just my $0.02, i love starwood for its treatment of platinums and their great hotels in Europe (primarily Italy).

but, the company does need to expand its portfolio of hotels a bit.

I really feel that # for $ the best program around is hotels by Priceline. I refuse to pay off the rack rate to keep track of meaningless point if I can get great deals
on Priceline.

Priceline ( for hotels ) junkies will agree with me.

I personally enjoy the Marriott quality and service at the hotels, particularily at the JW's. However, I have enjoyed the bonuses at the Hiltons, including both the Hilton AmEx card and the Hilton Visa. I just acheived the 50,000 bonus. I would love to switch to SPG, however, properties are limited where I travel. Unfortunately I travel to Detroit (I work for one of the big 3) and properties are limited for the Motor City. However, when i was staying at the Mexico City Sheraton while relocating to Mexico, I earned a lot of points, and all I can say is, Starwood is the easiest program for redeeming points. A couple of clicks and you are set. No expediting fees or anything of the sort.

As far as Hamptons go . . . I haven't found very many I feel comforatable in. Particularily the one in Warren Mi. You couldn't pay me to ever stay there again.

I guess as a seldom to medium traveler my preferences are:

Hilton, Marriott, SPG (only because of lack of properties in the US).

Don't forget about double dipping with HH. You earn points and miles.

Hi, welcome to FT.

You may have gathered that there are as many answers as there are programmes - it really depends on what style of property you like, the budget you have when travelling and your travel pattern.

You could get a copy of the Frequent Flyer guide, from the FT team, which has some handy comparison charts: http://www.flyerguide.com/

Personally, I would recommend both Starwood and Hilton - they cover all main countries and cities, offer a good mix of business hotels and luxury properties and both programmes are really good for their elite members - it's also a good idea to have two - provides more leverage and choices. The added benefit of Starwood is the Lurker (aka William), who really makes a difference for FTers.


[This message has been edited by Canista (edited 08-12-2002).]