-
I travel for work and typically end up doing between 100-120 nights away with another 20 or so for personal holidays
The strategy for the last couple of years has been 60 nights in Hilton to hit Diamond, 40 in IHG to secure the lounge access/platinum and then spread anything else around to take advantage of any decent promo offers
Work policy is fairly flexible and I can earn nights/points on work bookings with Hilton, Accor, IHG & Marriott (no Hyatt hotels in policy and Wyndham is poor) so long as they come under a set amount each night
Happy to top up points and redeem for aspirational trips, we’ve had some great stays in various Conrads, Waldorfs and ICs over the last few years
Just curious if anyone would do it differently and bring Marriott into the mix and at what level? I’ve had gold for a while but never really engaged with the program but for next year i already have platinum and lounge access locked in with IHG
TIA
Happy to share my 2023 status progress. Hilton Diamond from 30 stays. Accor Platinum (useful in Asia) via Accor Plus with the 20 free nights. IHG Diamond via Ambassador (but need to revisit this now the “loophole” has been closed), Marriott Platinum via 15 Amex nights + 18 nights on the double-nights promo in early 2023 (now Titanium with 24 further nights), Hyatt Explorist via MGM match (also seems to be closed now). 2024 strategy may be to prioritise Hyatt globalist.
Marriott Plat and Titanium is superior to Hilton Diamond IMO. So unless your particular work cities are served by better Hilton options, AND your holiday destinatioms served by better Hilton options, I’d chase Marriott elite status first. Marriott upper elite status require some true night grinding. Whereas IHG Diamond is best achieved by points rather than nights and should not take lomg for the keen.
Hilton Diamond is where I share Rob’s view. If it happens it happens. But Gold via Amex Plat is good enough.
My work travel used to be frequent, similar to yours, but is now very infrequent. My status is expiring or reducing across IHG, Hilton and Marriott.
What’s interesting is which one am I going to “miss” the most for my few work and leisure stays during 2024? If I could keep one, it would be Marriott. If I were you, I’d look at that. Get a 15 night boost with their Amex to get you started.
+1 for Marriott – it really is a useful one to have, and if you have some discretion on where you you stay for work, there are the occasional promos for double elite qualifying nights that can really turbo charge your push for the higher status. Titanium can be easy to achieve if you are travelling in the right month. If your work allows you to use a personal credit card, combine with the Bonvoy Amex and you will be racking in the points too (though as MemeSweeper says, you should get it anyway for the 15 nights, especially now, towards the end of the calendar year, so you get 15 nights this year and next in case you go for lifetime status).
Thanks all, some positive endorsements for the program which has helped me make up my mind, 40-60 with IHG, 35-50 with Marriott and 40-60 with Hilton
Good call on the Bonvoy card! I can use a personal card and expense back
If you’re doing up to 60 nights with IHG might be worth going for 70 and get Diamond?
If you’re doing up to 60 nights with IHG might be worth going for 70 and get Diamond?
Surely by 60 nights, you’d have made Diamond via points rather than nights, no?
Actually not a bad suggestion, i do tend to hit Diamond via points (with the occassional bonus package purchase) rather than nights as Bliar Waldorf Salad suggests but just realised 70 nights adds a pair of suite upgrades
Maybe alternate, 40 in one year (with bonus points purchases to keep diamond) and 70 in the other to average 3 suite upgrades
Thanks all
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
