I have recently moved to London, UK, and am about to start up a job as an IT consultant with the majority of my travel within the UK. It will be the typical Mon-Thurs grind, which is okay with me because I like hotels.

I am currently a Platinum Marriott member, but could drop to Gold this year (depending on the generosity of Mr. Marriott). I'd love to keep staying at Marriotts, but they aren't as plentiful in the UK, and prices are pretty steep some times.

My goals with a hotel choice and hotel program are:

• Have a decent place to stay when I work, preferably with free internet
• Have many choices of redemption for international travel (outside UK)
• Easy to redeem

Travel for work (the paid portion) will be M-Th, let's say 40 weeks a year.

Redemptions will be for international travel, potentially anywhere (I don't tend to return too often to the same place). It would be city break weekends in Europe, and then further afield travel for 2 or 3 weeks, but split between multiple locations and properties, probably 2 to 4 days at a property before moving on. I am mostly interested in urban and beach locations.

Given my goals and travel pattern, are there other programs I should be looking at that could meet my needs?

Thanks,
Greg

No thoughts?

I am looking at Hilton or Priority Club (ICG), as they seem to be plentiful with decent rates. I'd still appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Greg

There are a lot more PC properties in the UK than Hiltons - Hiltons would be fine if you are going to be confined to the major cities, but PC is a lot more ubiquitous. Of course, a lot of those are pretty standard HIs and HIEX, but at least you still get points for them, getting status is ridiculously easy and once you hit Plat, is a pretty good benefit. But generally UK Hiltons are a better standard than HIs.

Of course, nothing to stop you doing both. On that kind of stay frequency, depending on where you are staying, you could make PC plat relatively frequently (especially once you get the offers rolling!), and then look at Hilton as well.

Because those two pretty much are the most common hotel chains at which to earn points (let's just ignore Premier Inns, which are about HIEX standard, but don't earn points in any way shape or form - well they do have a triple Amex MR offer at the moment!), then not really worth while looking beyond them IMHO. And it is ridiculously easy to earn points in PC.

Jenbel has pretty much hit the nail on the head. If you are looking at one programme I would go for Priority Club for the following reasons:

• Far better coverage in the UK
• Good selection of hotel Worldwide for redemption
• Points breaks deals 5000 points per night at selected hotels including Intercontinental (normally 40,000 points per night)
• You will rack up an amazing amount of points especially if you follow the advice on the master promo thread on the Priority Club and Intercontinental Hotels board on this site

Oh and welcome to the UK and enjoy London

I'd say Hilton.

Yes, there are more PC properties, but generally Hilton's are within easily commutable distances to wherever.

However, with BMI Diamond Club and Hilton Hhonors you can double dip your way to some serious miles and points.

Your 40 weeks of M-T would get 120k miles, nearly enough for two UK-US round trips in Business class (four trips if using cash + miles). Book through BMI and you'll get even more miles.

Similarly you'll be points rich with Hilton to cover your leisure travel stays.

Well, the decision has been made it turns out the answer is neither Hilton or ICG, at least for now. The first project I am on we have a negotiated rate via another company with a Mercure, which is part of the Accor group. Therefore, it is A|Club to start with.

...at least, I think it is. The hotels aren't paid by me, but rather on a company account. I've asked them to attach my A|Club number, so we will see if I get the points even though I am not directly paying for the hotel.

Greg

There are many Radisson, Radisson Edwardian, Radisson SAS, plus possibly some Park & Park Plaza prpoerties throughout the UK. There may be even a new Regent in the future. Thus many Goldpoint earning properties throughout the country.