The best hotel loyalty programs
Jun 3, 2009 | 6:41 am
#1
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The best hotel loyalty programs
A recent article by TRAVEL + LEISURE magazine about hotel loyalty programs as posted on msnbc.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31046568/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31046568/
Jun 3, 2009 | 7:14 am
#2
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There's no real content there. 
The article and accompanying slide show mention a few highlights of each program, but there's no comparison of earning rates, no mention of credit card earning, no discussion of how to choose a program that matches your own travel patterns. And they accept the marketing claims without question (like Marriott's "no blackout" policy, which has non-trivial exclusions).
The article and accompanying slide show mention a few highlights of each program, but there's no comparison of earning rates, no mention of credit card earning, no discussion of how to choose a program that matches your own travel patterns. And they accept the marketing claims without question (like Marriott's "no blackout" policy, which has non-trivial exclusions).
Jun 3, 2009 | 9:53 am
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Jun 3, 2009 | 10:17 am
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And, amazingly, they don't actually say which programs are best in the article. 
They mention specific benefits at Shangri-La, Hyatt and Marriott but do not actually say which are better than others. Awesome "reporting" going on there.
They mention specific benefits at Shangri-La, Hyatt and Marriott but do not actually say which are better than others. Awesome "reporting" going on there.
Jun 3, 2009 | 12:45 pm
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Originally Posted by the lame article...
Marriott’s program also provides new access to its luxury Ritz-Carlton partners. While you can’t earn Marriott points for a stay at a Ritz-Carlton, you can redeem Marriott points at almost all Ritz-Carlton hotels—a first for the program.
Marriott has had Ritz awards as a part of its program for many years. There's nothing "new" about Ritz.The entire article is total fluff. I suspect most FT'ers could have written a much more thorough, informative article in about 30 minutes. (We might have blathered on windily about our favorite programs
, but there would have been some useful information and comparisons delivered.)