Comments on: Top 10 best hotel loyalty programs to join in 2019

By: John

John — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 06:44:30 +0000

Interesting list and write-up, thank you! I personally would rank Accor Le Club, now Live Limitless, further up on that list. While their website and app lack, they offer great upgrades and lounge benefits for the higher membership levels. And especially here in Asia they have plenty of properties to choose from. At the same time I can see why you would rank Marriott Bonvoy as No 1, even if they irritated lots of customers (including myself) after taking over SPG.

By: Also an SPG Fan

Also an SPG Fan — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 09:31:36 +0000

I have the same issues like the two writers before.

I was always a fan of SPG – a very good balanced program, good customer service, but since the merger with Marriott I only experienced trouble.

Usually I spend between 100 and 150 nights a year at hotels. For 2019 I did not get once a free room upgrade at any Marriott hotel (I am writing this September 2019), I have been denied lounge access, the majority of hotels have not credited automatically my nights/points and almost every hotel is telling me, that my status (Lifetime Titanium Elite plus Elite Ambassador) doesn’t exist.

Since the merger (or take over) I’ve tried three times to get my platinum guarantied reservation all three times I have been told that they would not have a room available. So, I am sing myself, why do I need a guaranty to make a reservation only when there are rooms available for everyone.

When you call customer service, they are now under time pressure. If I understood it correctly, they only have a certain amount of time for each customer. If it takes longer, they are getting reminders from their managers. During SPG times I got a bunch of great hotels tips. Since Marriott – not one. Very often you get wrong information (because the management is making so many changes back and forth that the employees can’t keep track).

The bottom line is, that traveling with Marriott Bonvoy became very stressful to me. During the SPH times I sometimes took little inconveniences about the location for example in order to stay at a SPG hotel. Those times are over. I turned away from Marriott in many cities for the next year. And if they don’t get their act together…

But for sure, it is not the best loyalty program.

By: SPG Fan

SPG Fan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 18:05:28 +0000

I have to agree with JohnB! I loved SPG for many years and dreaded it when Marriott took over. My worst fears have come true. The points / conversions are pitiful, the online system is awful and I will be looking for an alternative at the end of this year when my Bonvoy Membership expires. NOT a fan of Marriott

By: JohnB

JohnB — Sun, 26 May 2019 15:55:38 +0000

No way, Bonvoy is your #1! Are you serious? Marriott always ran a cheap, tightwad frequent guest program AND it hasn’t changed! Your numbers on transferring points to miles is wrong. It takes 60,000, yes sixty thousand, points to get 25,000 miles in most of the airline programs. 20,000 was the Starwood amount, now it is 60,000. When it comes to topping off say an American or Alaskan FF account, yes Bonvoy maybe the only way to do that. But, since their merger, Marriott is last on my list for everything. Because the good parts of SPG is all they have.

I avoid Marriott like the plague. They have horrible customer service!!! They cheat on awarding points on all kinds of things. Marriott’s anti-gay, anti-black discriminatory attitudes are pitiful in this day and age! Marriott’s Mormon, Republican attitudes just want to make me puke!

If you had put Marriott in 2nd or 3rd place, I would have understood, because Marriott currently has the most rooms and many corporate contracts. But my company dropped Marriott, with the exception of a handful of cities, because they raised their rates over 50%.

With this post, you really have lowered my opinion of your blog.

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:36:16 +0000

Bonvoy is a dumpster fire

By: Nextravel

Nextravel — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 16:45:59 +0000

thank for the great article!

By: Paul Simmons

Paul Simmons — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:51:24 +0000

Dearest luxury travel
A thousand thank you’s , after booking a room at the Amsterdam Conservatorium , I read your report Hotel 27 . My wife and I just returned from a 4 night completely new hospitality experience, desperately checking our calendar for our next opportunity. This is the 2nd time I smashed the piggy bank and follow your advice and I cannot praise or thank you enough

Paul