Re:Inside the Marriott-Starwood Loyalty Program Turbulence
by wahern on Thursday November 29, 2018 @10:56PM
(#18566539)
> What do you get out of hotel rewards
Starwood in particular
1) used to have great deals for converting points to airline miles,
2) higher tiers earned very generous point multiples, and
3) offered a pay-with-points structure that was exceptionally generous all around--tons of points earned at higher-end properties which went really far at lower-end properties.
In addition, an AMEX Platinum card provided Gold tier membership, and the AMEX Starwood card compounded your point multiples--basically you just kept your Platinum current but paid for everything with the Starwood card. Moochers like me could enjoy many of the same perks as power travelers. For several years I think I spent at least as many free nights at Starwood properties as paid, including several paid vacations with family--it was amazing how far points went at Fourpoint properties in Asia.
Since the Marriott merger the calculus sucks. IIRC Chase Card + Hilton Honors is the best deal now, but nothing will ever be as amazing as the AMEX + Starwood program. I was religious about staying at Starwood properties, even if I had to pay a premium in a particular city. But lately I'm as likely to stay at a Marriott as any other hotel.
Starwood in particular
1) used to have great deals for converting points to airline miles,
2) higher tiers earned very generous point multiples, and
3) offered a pay-with-points structure that was exceptionally generous all around--tons of points earned at higher-end properties which went really far at lower-end properties.
In addition, an AMEX Platinum card provided Gold tier membership, and the AMEX Starwood card compounded your point multiples--basically you just kept your Platinum current but paid for everything with the Starwood card. Moochers like me could enjoy many of the same perks as power travelers. For several years I think I spent at least as many free nights at Starwood properties as paid, including several paid vacations with family--it was amazing how far points went at Fourpoint properties in Asia.
Since the Marriott merger the calculus sucks. IIRC Chase Card + Hilton Honors is the best deal now, but nothing will ever be as amazing as the AMEX + Starwood program. I was religious about staying at Starwood properties, even if I had to pay a premium in a particular city. But lately I'm as likely to stay at a Marriott as any other hotel.