Which program is your most valuable loyalty program this year?
Dec 21, 2019 | 10:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, EK Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,453
Which program is your most valuable loyalty program this year?
Out of all of the loyalty programs (hotels, rental car, or airlines), which one in your own view, was the best one for you this year? Which one was your winner?
For myself, I've attained Diamond Medallion and Marriott Ambassador status this year and for my travel behavior, the Delta loyalty program was the best one for me.
Monetary value: The winner is Delta Diamond Status.
Marriott Ambassador program: I've done 137 stays so far with Marriott properties, so its about 1370 dollars worth of food/beverage voucher (10 dollar), Breakfast (15-20
dollar credit per morning, so about 2700 dollars), less than 4 suite upgrades, and food/beverage with club access. I haven't had a chance to use my SNAs nor travel to
(ex-USA) international destinations yet. My late checkouts have always been honored, but I haven't tried my 24 yet (will try in January 2020).
Delta: Flew 235k MQM this year, and around 15-20 first class upgrades HNL-SEA/LAX/PDX (around 300-400 value each if I bought up to first class, so 8000 dollar value on the top end), auto economy comfort upgrades (75-100 dollar per flight), and lounge access (food/beverage/showers/wifi). So far no luck with any RUCS, and I haven't used any GUCs yet.
Customer Service: The winner is Delta Diamond Status.
Marriott Ambassador: Even with an ambassador, the majority of issues I call and take care of myself right away, rather than wait for a response. The call center at Marriott has been great for me (both Ambassador and non Ambassador lines). More business like, without the warmth that Delta customer service gives. They always get cancellations and reservation add ons taken care of.
Delta Diamond: Issues are always taken care of (complaints, flight delays, ticket changes), but they always make you feel valued, which is the difference between Marriott call centers. Even with an Ambassador with Marriott, one quick phone call to the Delta Diamond line, takes care of issues way faster than any personalized ambassador.
In summary, I'll keep on spending money on Delta as they have the rewarding behavior down for my travel patterns (like a casino in giving out a bonus/payout), in that I get frequent enough first class upgrades when I don't outright purchase them. I feel the loyalty program still rewards you. In addition, the perceived monetary value of such upgrades, is more than the Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador program, granted I haven't tried out international hotels where suite upgrades are plentiful.
For myself, I've attained Diamond Medallion and Marriott Ambassador status this year and for my travel behavior, the Delta loyalty program was the best one for me.
Monetary value: The winner is Delta Diamond Status.
Marriott Ambassador program: I've done 137 stays so far with Marriott properties, so its about 1370 dollars worth of food/beverage voucher (10 dollar), Breakfast (15-20
dollar credit per morning, so about 2700 dollars), less than 4 suite upgrades, and food/beverage with club access. I haven't had a chance to use my SNAs nor travel to
(ex-USA) international destinations yet. My late checkouts have always been honored, but I haven't tried my 24 yet (will try in January 2020).
Delta: Flew 235k MQM this year, and around 15-20 first class upgrades HNL-SEA/LAX/PDX (around 300-400 value each if I bought up to first class, so 8000 dollar value on the top end), auto economy comfort upgrades (75-100 dollar per flight), and lounge access (food/beverage/showers/wifi). So far no luck with any RUCS, and I haven't used any GUCs yet.
Customer Service: The winner is Delta Diamond Status.
Marriott Ambassador: Even with an ambassador, the majority of issues I call and take care of myself right away, rather than wait for a response. The call center at Marriott has been great for me (both Ambassador and non Ambassador lines). More business like, without the warmth that Delta customer service gives. They always get cancellations and reservation add ons taken care of.
Delta Diamond: Issues are always taken care of (complaints, flight delays, ticket changes), but they always make you feel valued, which is the difference between Marriott call centers. Even with an Ambassador with Marriott, one quick phone call to the Delta Diamond line, takes care of issues way faster than any personalized ambassador.
In summary, I'll keep on spending money on Delta as they have the rewarding behavior down for my travel patterns (like a casino in giving out a bonus/payout), in that I get frequent enough first class upgrades when I don't outright purchase them. I feel the loyalty program still rewards you. In addition, the perceived monetary value of such upgrades, is more than the Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador program, granted I haven't tried out international hotels where suite upgrades are plentiful.
