In the past month, I wrote extensive articles about the good and not so good things about Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group/Priority Club, Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest. I just went back and did some small changes to them based on the feedback that I have received and what else have come to my mind.
I got some requests to do similar write ups about some other programs such as Le Club Accorhotels and Club Carlson. Unfortunately, I have not had nowhere near as many nights with these two chains as I have any of the above five of which I have spent anywhere between 300 to 700 nights each.
What do you especially LIKE or DISLIKE about any of these five hotel chains and/or their loyalty programs? Leave you comments below.
Here’s the Summary:
Hilton HHonors (You can read the entire article here)
Pros
– Double Dipping with airlines
– Breakfast
– Best mid-level elite status Hilton Gold
– Awards at Aspirational locations such as French Polynesia & Maldives
– Never ending promotions
Cons
– Overpriced awards in the lower end properties
– Very few benefits of being Diamond over Gold
– Lack of lifetime status
– Diamond benefit inconsistency
– Somewhat lacking international presence i.e. China
Hyatt Gold Passport (You can read the entire article here)
Pros
– Breakfast for Diamond members always
– Using points for club & suite upgrades
– Benefits apply for ALL bookings even when not eligible for stay credit/points
– Reasonably priced top & low awards
– No blackout dates
Cons
– No space available suite upgrades to Suites
– International foot print very limited
– Essentially only Diamond status worthwhile
– Award stays don’t count toward status
– Limited promotions
InterContinental Hotels Group/Priority Club (You can read the entire article here)
Pros
– Point Earnings – Points, Points & More Points
– Points Breaks
– Cash back
– Award Availability
– Worldwide Coverage
Cons
– Customer Service – Philippines
– Elite Benefits on Award Stays
– Elite Treatment at Properties
– No stay/night credit for award stays
– Priority Club VS Ambassador
Marriott Rewards (You can read the entire article here)
Pros
– Number of Properties
– Travel Packages
– Elite Guarantees
– Lifetime status change
– Predictable promotions
Cons
– Lack of benefits during the weekends and at resorts
– International stay/points/Platinum arrival gift
– Marriott Rewards Customer Service Hours
– Boring brands
– Expensive Rewards
Starwood Preferred Guest (You can read the entire article here)
Pros
– Customer Service
– Good value lower category awards
– Different levels of Platinum 25/50/75/100
– Lifetime status reasonable
– Suite upgrades for Platinum members
Cons
– Extremely expensive top awards
– Without promos not very good earnings
– Relatively small compared to Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group & Marriott
– Platinum Suite Upgrades Somewhat Elusive
– Breakfast (continental) vs Platinum Amenity
Conclusion
None of these chains is perfect. My best advise would be trying to get status with number of them and then using best features of each i.e. Hilton for aspirational awards and SPG for lower category ones.
