Growing up I was a "kettle" flyer–one to two trips a year in the back of the economy cabin with no concept of elite status, frequent flyer perks, or mileage running.
When I was a teenager I had a "coming of age" where I learned how to play the frequent flyer game. I continue to learn and there is much I still do not know…
Although I have status with Starwood and Hyatt, when it comes to hotels I still generally classify myself as a "kettle" guest. After a disappointing stay at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego on Friday (full report later in the week), I’m reconsidering whether it is time to more seriously focus my efforts on attaining top-tier status with Hyatt or Starwood.
For years I have stayed in hostels when I travel alone or used Priceline’s "name your own price" feature to score a four star hotel room for $60-100/night when traveling with family or friends. This year has been a little different as I have taken advantage of Hyatt’s Big Welcome Back promotion and stayed at ten different Hyatt properties the last few months, earning Platinum status and enjoying perks like free internet, an occasional room upgrade, and most importantly the buy-one-get-one-free nights.
Still, I feel like a middle child at Hyatt and am frankly getting jealous 😉 of the large suites I see in other hotel reviews when I usually wind up with a tiny cubicle.
Just like I have never looked back after earning 1K status on United four years ago, I think the benefits of obtaining Hyatt Diamond or Starwood Platinum status would be worth the time and effort once I slogged though the ordeal of earning top-tier status for the first time.
When I think about all the points and upgrades I have missed out on at hotels over the last few years, I am consoled only by the fact that the extra money I would have spent is sitting in the bank. But flying has been a profitable hobby for me and chasing hotel status might turn out to be another profitable venture if I hunker down and really learn the tricks of the trade.
As I do, I will share them here.
The program to go for really depends on what sort of hotel you like to stay at. For weekend stays on a MR, I find that Hyatt can be decent, but Starwood is generally ridiculous for what they offer. I’ve become a convert to Priority Club with the Holiday Inn relaunch, and can easily find hotels on weekends in desirable locations for $60 a night. I’ve even gotten crazy upgrades at a Holiday Inn Express (basic room to a one bedroom suite with kitchen, fireplace, and whirlpool tub in room) Hilton has nice properties, but lousy redemption, and Marriott just has standards that are too high. Hyatt is generous, but has fewer locations, and I find that they tend to go a little higher than I want to pay for most weekend rates.
I too have got the crazy upgrades at Holiday Inn Express. And that was when I was just a general club member. I can’t wait to take my gold status for a spin.
@mowogo: Priority Club is a thought too. I purchased Ambassador status last year and like the benefits. I also have been really impressed with Holiday Inns of late.
My brother and I stayed at one in IST near the airport and it was spectacular.
Hilton is definitely out. UA sent me a free two-year Gold status to Hilton a few years ago and while I enjoyed the free breakfasts, I wiped out most of my points in one night’s stay in Madrid earlier this year.
Priority Club has become my favorite program because of how easy points are to earn with all the bonuses, plus they let you combine promotions, and real easy redemption for high end hotels (Most of the IC hotels I look at are at the 30k level and in great locations too) The only reason I’m not earning the double points is that im letting work give me $50 gift cards for the weekends
I have recently come into trying Priority club since the end of last year. I had free gold status on Hilton and Marriott for a couple of years due to some promotions and maintain SPG gold.
I read about all these stackable promotion codes on Flyertalk that work out great and really rack in the points if used correctly. My first stay at a HIEXP last year got me 15k in points for $60 stay thanks to all the promo codes.
The benefits are not that much but I stay at HIs for the points.
I also have earned 40K in points just on promotions this year from Biggest Loser, different Partner promotions, and mycokereward points.
I’ve got top tier status at Hilton and Best Western and mid tier with Hyatt & SPG (working towards top tier in both and dropping Best Western for 2011).
95% of my travel is on business, so I spend 9-10 hours a day in the room, 90% of that on the mattress. The Best Western properties offer no real benefits and Hilton status doesn’t get me much either. Hyatt & SPG are rumored to be better, but things like room upgrades, free continental breakfast and free domestic internet mean very little to me. If it was on my own dime, I’d priceline.
For my own money, hotel status is not a race worth running. The best promos are available to general members, so if you do want to chase hotel status, consider letting the promos pick the program for you.