Which hotel loyalty points is best or cc?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I've had a Marriott rewards credit card for years but lately trying to redeem my points for a room has been unsuccessful and it seems they no longer have hardly any 7500 point nights even at Fairfields. They are usually 15,000 points so I'm ready to try a new card.

I recently stayed at Sheraton and signed up for the starwoods account but I'm not that familiar with the program and not sure if I want to invest any time accumulating with them if it's not worth it.

I've got the RCI rewards card but the hotel/motel chains aren't in the best locations so I'm a bit disappointed in it although I've got tons of points on it now. I guess I can redeem them for gas cards.

Also have an Amex with worldpoints that I was able to use to get the free night at the Sheraton so am going to start using that more often.

So what do you guys suggest?

Should I ditch Marriott and start working on Starwood, Hilton or Amex?

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

We find Choice Privileges works well for us. We stay at the same Quality Inn in Buffalo each time we fly, doing the Park-and-Fly. We drive from Toronto and use Southwest Airlines most often. When we drive down to Florida, we stay in Choice hotels, and take advantage of their "Stay two times, get a free night" promotions. One of the things I like is that we can redeem for Southwest credits if we are short of credits required for a free flight.

Dori

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

I love Starwood. It's easy to convert points to miles. You get a 5,000 mile bonus when you transfer 20,000 points to airlines. It takes anywhere from 3,000 points up for a room. The best value I have gotten was 2 rooms in Naples, Italy overlooking the water. I think it was only 7000 points per room. You can get good deals on rooms also.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

We find Choice Privileges works well for us. We stay at the same Quality Inn in Buffalo each time we fly, doing the Park-and-Fly. We drive from Toronto and use Southwest Airlines most often. When we drive down to Florida, we stay in Choice hotels, and take advantage of their "Stay two times, get a free night" promotions. One of the things I like is that we can redeem for Southwest credits if we are short of credits required for a free flight.

Dori

This is a good deal. Really, a free night for every 2?
Does it matter the rate you pay?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I love Starwood. It's easy to convert points to miles. You get a 5,000 mile bonus when you transfer 20,000 points to airlines. It takes anywhere from 3,000 points up for a room. The best value I have gotten was 2 rooms in Naples, Italy overlooking the water. I think it was only 7000 points per room. You can get good deals on rooms also.

I noticed that the starwood papers said that you could get a night for as little as 2000 points. That seems like a great deal too.
So if you spend 2000 points on their credit card you possibly could get a free room or do they not give one point for one dollar.

So many programs, so much to keep up with.

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

Chriskre, the only time a rate didn't qualify was when we used those Welcome Center book coupons. Any other rates have qualified for us, but we have had to book online or through their 800 number. I have been known to book through these methods while sitting in the hotel's lobby!

Dori

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Chriskre, the only time a rate didn't qualify was when we used those Welcome Center book coupons. Any other rates have qualified for us, but we have had to book online or through their 800 number. I have been known to book through these methods while sitting in the hotel's lobby!

Dori

I guess I'll have to upgrade my phone so I can book on the fly too.

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

I have even used their phone in the lobby to book.

Dori

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

Back in the day I had status with Starwood, Marriott and Hilton. Since semi retiring, I use Hilton family almost exclusively. Mainly that is because they have the most locations world wide for redemptions and the most stateside for earning points. That said, I really liked Starwood's Cash + Points option.

Cheers

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Back in the day I had status with Starwood, Marriott and Hilton. Since semi retiring, I use Hilton family almost exclusively. Mainly that is because they have the most locations world wide for redemptions and the most stateside for earning points. That said, I really liked Starwood's Cash + Points option.

Cheers

Cash plus points?

AA is doing something like that now too. I think it helps get to an award faster. Sounds like I should work on my starwood points from now on.

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

Cash plus points?

AA is doing something like that now too. I think it helps get to an award faster. Sounds like I should work on my starwood points from now on.

Basically you pay about 25% of the rack rate + 25% of the usual number of points for a stay IIRC. Not always available but I got a good deal a couple of years ago in Venice at the Europa Hotel on the Grand Canal for a stay of 4 days.

Cheers

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Well, I closed my Marriott rewards visa. The interest rate was just not worth keeping it anymore even though I usually pay it off in 1-2 months but still 30% for 1 month can add up pretty quickly.

Chase didn't even do much to try and keep my business except offer me 5000extra MR points to keep the account open. Just not worth it to me anymore so now I'll shop for something better.

Starwood is looking better already.