tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50179976800107411652024-02-08T12:02:46.591-08:00Travel Like a StarTravel tips from a Pro. How to maximize your Travel points and Rewards.Michael Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431001323738083254noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017997680010741165.post-54559746484086728732011-10-02T06:46:00.001-07:002011-10-02T06:49:02.133-07:00What is the best Hotel Program ?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">What is the best Hotel program to belong to?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The following, (like everything I write on my Blog) is my opinion. I hope you find it helpful and I would love to hear from you,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If you spend more than 100 nights a year in a hotel (and I spend about 250), then you are a professional traveler and have a different set of standards than the leisure traveler. For us a hotel room is truly your home away from home.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Each hotel chain has its own affinity program for frequent guests and I think it is very important to pick one or more to achieve top tier status with.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have three goals when deciding my strategy for which Hotel Chains I want Elite status with.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I want the most perks that will make me the most comfortable when I travel on business.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The most points so that my rooms are free when I vacation or travel abroad and the rooms are priced in Euros or pounds and the exchange rate is horrible.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Who treats me the best.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Currently , I am<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>top tier with SPG(Starwood),Hyatt and Marriott. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to be top tier with Hilton but I stopped staying in Hilton because they have a terrible program that got significantly worse after they sold out to a Wall St buy out group a couple of years ago.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I think the best overall program is SPG/Starwood (25 nights to become Platinum).They have the largest number of upscale hotels in great locations. You can earn lots of extra miles if you get their credit card (issued by American express, not my favorite, but we will talk about that another time) If you fly American you can convert them to AA miles and get a 20% bonus. In addition, now when you redeem your points for stays, even those stays count towards your elite status. Their status is so easy to achieve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The downside to SPG is that since they issued their credit card their members are racking up so many points that most properties have stopped upgrading Platinum members to suites. They do give the 5<sup>th</sup> night free when you book 4 with points. Check with the specific hotel before you go.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hyatt is my second favorite and would probably be #1 if they had more hotels in more cities. They are still are pretty generous with the upgrades although you need to be slightly aggressive and ask for it. They also give their Diamond members (25 stays per year) 4 free suite upgrades to use during each calendar year. Their credit card gives you points and 2 free nights a year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Marriott, while it has more locations than the other two combined it is truly terrible!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Marriott namesake hotels are all done in the same hideous red, gold and purple motif .It takes 70 nights to qualify for their top tier and they never upgrade you. It is so bad that I called Bill Marriott’s office about a problem and when asked “what can we do to make it up?” I replied “upgrade me to a suite at one of my upcoming stays." Even his office was unable to get me upgraded at one of his hotels! It is VERY difficult to use the points you have earned. Their executive lounges are closed on the weekends and that tells me they are not interested in the leisure traveler. There really is nothing good about their program.</div>Michael Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431001323738083254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017997680010741165.post-25398358581349232822011-09-29T08:19:00.001-07:002011-09-29T08:19:14.994-07:00T (4Michael Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431001323738083254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017997680010741165.post-29154066825424986772011-09-27T06:43:00.000-07:002011-09-27T06:43:34.404-07:00Rule 1One of the things I have learned over the last few years is take advantage of the perks that are available! I travel a lot!! I have top tier status with American Airline, SPG, Hyatt and Marriott. If you are not a member of an airline or hotel program you are throwing away free travel and in a sense, money. Pick a program and stick with it. If they have a credit card , get it and use it exclusively to maximize your points. Just think, your next vacation could be free.<br />
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With all of the travelling I do, I have learned a few things and I would like to share it. I hope you enjoy all of the tips I have to offer.Michael Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431001323738083254noreply@blogger.com0