Just a quick follow-up to my post last month about unexpectedly keeping Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status longer than expected. I rarely stay in Marriott/Starwood properties but received Marriott Gold status as a benefit of my 1K status on United....
I’m a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite With ZERO Stays In 2018 Or 2019…
Just want to report a data point. We’re a few days into the Marriott Bonvoy era and I am still a Platinum Elite despite zero stays in the last couple years and no lifetime status. My Marriott elite status comes...
Confirmable Suite Upgrades Places Hilton Diamond Status Above Peers
Hilton has been trialing a new Honors Diamond perk, confirmed suite upgrades. If Hilton adds the perk to their program permanently, Honors would be the hotel loyalty program to beat and Diamond status the best in the business. If...
Leaving Marriott/SPG “Bonvoy?” Here’s Where I’d Move
The Marriott/SPG merger has not gone swimmingly for so many loyal members and some have suggested they are leaving. Where should they stay instead of the world’s largest hotel chain? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Marriott, SPG Data Breach – 500 Million Guests Affected
Breaking from CNBC – some details may change as the story unfolds. Marriott has reported a data breach security event occurred on their SPG systems. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support...
Review: Philadelphia International Airport Marriott Hotel
As part of a long journey, I briefly stayed at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott and ended my stay both pleased and disappointed. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com....
Hypocrisy: Why I’m Doubling Down on Hyatt
Despite my bitterness toward Hyatt, reviewing my actual results for the year I decided to return to the brand full force and double down. Oh, the hypocrisy. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card...
Mid-Year Status Update – Surprising Results
For the first time since I became a serious frequent flyer, I am carefully tracking all of my traveling metrics for elite status. Every flight and hotel stay is logged and I am sharing my results – my expectations didn’t...
Proposals For An Airbnb Loyalty Program
After reviewing some Airbnb properties and staying in one recently, it became evident that an Airbnb loyalty program is needed, not just for guests, but for their hosts as well. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Review: Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel (Marriott)
On a business trip, I had a chance to stay in the very contemporary and dare I say, ‘sassy’ Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel. This hotel had everything, except for an upgrade for a (then) gold member. If you are...
The Beguiling and Sometimes Accurate Freddie Awards
My wife and I recently attended the 2018 Freddies Awards for loyalty programs. The winners and losers were both predictable and confounding depending on the award. Some made perfect sense while others left the room gasping. Which ones made...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 29, 2018
Greetings from the fairly remote Las Padres National Forrest about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. It was special weekend for me: my brother is getting married next week and this weekend was his bachelor party. Heidi, don’t worry…it...
Marriott/SPG Devaluation: Fears Confirmed at Freddies
A few days ago I posted my suspicions about Marriott/SPG’s overwhelmingly positive reception. One Mile At A Time posted that there were some great new values in the new award chart that probably wouldn’t last. Friends, readers, strangers –...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 22, 2018
Hello from LA. I’m back from Hawaii after a wonderful, albeit brief, getaway with my wife. In terms of top news for the week, we’ve now learned more about the new Marriott-SPG loyalty program. It looks good (for the...
Free Agent Is The Best Status to Hold
After years of chasing status (I still do), sometimes being a Free Agent when it comes to choosing your travel product is the most liberating of all. While I still hold elite status, on a recent trip my family...
Review: Aloft Houston by the Galleria
Hotels in Houston can be a difficult nut to crack, it’s all about location and convenience. The Aloft Houston by the Galleria is well positioned, offers premiums that other full-service hotels do not, and a reasonable price point for...
Hotel Upgrades Remain Elusive Without Insistence
This year I am traveling more than ever, giving Ryan Bingham a run for his money. As such, I find myself in many hotels some of which honor elite benefits regarding hotel upgrades, and others that do not. Instead...
Review: Magnolia Hotel Houston, Tribute Portfolio
Looking for a downtown Houston hotel near the convention center, I stumbled upon an independent brand I didn’t know SPG had acquired, Magnolia. The boutique brand commanded a premium when it was independent with midwestern locations in Omaha and...
Review: W Hotel New Orleans – French Quarter
The W Hotel New Orleans French Quarter was a mixed bag. The property is well located if you want to be close to Bourbon Street but still able to sleep at night, less than ideal if you’d prefer to...
Chinese Cyber Police Block Marriott’s Website for Disrespecting China
Cyber Police from the city of Shanghai have blocked Marriott’s website and mobile app for one week, punishing the hotel chain for “disrespecting” Chinese Sovereignty. Marriott sent out a Mandarin-language survey to Chinese consumers which listed Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet,...
