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Hotel chains for business travel?

2,625 Views | 22 Replies | Last: 8 mo ago by AgShaun00
Naveronski
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4:01p, 3/5/24
AG
Moved into a new role that will see me traveling 1-2x a month, perhaps more, so looking for the "better" hotel reward ecosystem.
edit: Company card usage is mandatory, so no booking advantage with a co-branded card.

Hilton?
Marriott?

My wife signed up for Marriott with her work, but a coworker is telling me Embassy Suites has free happy hour and a good breakfast, so that's appealing too.

What does TexAgs use?
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ktownag08
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10:27p, 3/5/24
AG
You'll either want to go Marriott or Hilton as that covers your bases well. Sign up for their point promotions when they come out too. If you don't like one brand or get bored with it after a while, just switch to the other. It's really not that big of a deal. I have used both programs consistently with a healthy dose of boutique hotels through in too. I'm lifetime Platinum on Marriott and Diamond with Hilton so they're basically the same to me.

My brand loyalty has waned a lot over the years as "upgrades" don't really matter since I'm barely in the room, and most of the other "perks" are essentially meaningless with expenses covered while traveling. Point programs have also greatly devalued their programs so landing a nice hotel/room for personal travel has gotten even harder. I mostly use direct hotel points for basic rooms on road trips where we need to stop for a night, etc.

A comfy mattress, access in the room or nearby to reasonably good espresso, and a convenient location are my key business hotel criteria. I don't need the hotel for the rest...
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AggieOO
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In reply to ktownag08 • 11:51a, 3/6/24
ktownag08 said:
You'll either want to go Marriott or Hilton as that covers your bases well. Sign up for their point promotions when they come out too. If you don't like one brand or get bored with it after a while, just switch to the other. It's really not that big of a deal. I have used both programs consistently with a healthy dose of boutique hotels through in too. I'm lifetime Platinum on Marriott and Diamond with Hilton so they're basically the same to me.

My brand loyalty has waned a lot over the years as "upgrades" don't really matter since I'm barely in the room, and most of the other "perks" are essentially meaningless with expenses covered while traveling. Point programs have also greatly devalued their programs so landing a nice hotel/room for personal travel has gotten even harder. I mostly use direct hotel points for basic rooms on road trips where we need to stop for a night, etc.

A comfy mattress, access in the room or nearby to reasonably good espresso, and a convenient location are my key business hotel criteria. I don't need the hotel for the rest...
while i agree that on work trips, it doesn't matter that much. That said, I get and use a lot of free nights via points and I use those for personal travel. The upgrades/perks can make a big difference. If we have the kids with us, I'll find a place I know has suites. Book a room and then hit "upgrade." Almost every time I get the upgrade. Sometimes I'll get upgraded again at check-in.
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Cruiser87
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6:42p, 3/6/24
AG
I did Hilton when I traveled regularly. Do the same with airlines.

Had one deal where I traveled between Austin and Seattle weekly. Alaska Air was the only non-stop, so I set it up. Within a few months, it was always free upgrades to first class. And, on the rare instance where we (me and a few other regulars) were bumped to coach, the flight attendants already knew us by name and made certain we were taken care of.

Used the airline and hotel points to take my familiy to Hawaii later.

Point being, stick with one in my opinion.
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Naveronski
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10:03a, 3/7/24
AG
Thanks for the info y'all! I'll focus on one, but sign up for both because inevitably I'll be sent somewhere that doesn't have a choice.
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Matsui
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In reply to Naveronski • 4:25p, 3/7/24
AG
Yup. Smart plan.
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Cruiser87
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In reply to Naveronski • 7:07p, 3/7/24
AG
Agreed.

Though, the only place I had to find other accommodations was Ada, Ok. Ended up in a Holiday Inn Express there.
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Whitetail
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8:07p, 3/8/24
AG
Go Marriott. Their reward system is better. Points may be similar, but lower and more varied thresholds for redeeming nights.
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Bullpen Chias
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10:53p, 3/8/24
AG
Bonvoy has about 30% more properties than Hilton. That should weigh into your decision if you are traveling to smaller markets that may not have as many options.

That said, if you're regularly traveling to the same markets, sample a few different properties in the first 6 months and then lock into one or the other.
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The Lost
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In reply to Naveronski • 4:38a, 3/9/24
Naveronski said:
Thanks for the info y'all! I'll focus on one, but sign up for both because inevitably I'll be sent somewhere that doesn't have a choice.


Honestly it's pretty rare to not have one or the other near by… usually one is close to the other. If you don't have one, you probably don't have either near by
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Coates
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7:16a, 3/9/24
You obviously won't get the full points benefits without the credit card, but you could still get status on nights.

If you will be traveling to the same one or two cities I'd check out which chain has the best hotel and pick that one. Sticking with one chain would be better imo.

The Points Guy has a pretty decent write up on the multiple chains and their programs. They say hyatt has the best points per dollar. I switched to them a few years ago and have been Globalist, their lower end hotels can be hit or miss, but the mid tier and high end are nice and we always get suites upgrades when traveling with the family.
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jh0400
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8:04a, 3/9/24
AG
If you're Gold or better on United you can match with Marriott Bonvoy. The early check-in, late check-out, and occasional upgrade is a nice perk.
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Philip J Fry
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1:43p, 3/9/24
AG
I'm a Hilton diamond club level member. Embassy suites is usually my preference.
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Danger Mouse
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2:41p, 3/9/24
AG
1. Identify which business travel locations you will have.

2. Do a search of Marriott and Hilton hotels at those locations.

3. Based on the results of #2, identify which specific ones are most convenient to your business location.

Make a decision based on #3.
Class of '91 (MEEN)
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rilloaggie
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7:29p, 3/9/24
AG
I do Hyatt, wife does Marriott. Hyatt Place hotels are fairly standard no matter where I've been. I've stayed at some Marriott properties (courtyard) that are complete dumps when Hyatt wasn't available. Low tier Hyatt perks are 2 bottles of water which are always appreciated and I usually end up with a higher floor room. Breakfast is always included at Hyatt place and Hyatt house but unfortunately I'm usually out the door before they're serving. Consequently I never get to take advantage of late checkout either. I wish they'd offer a better perk than that. I've stayed at a few hotels that will do a happy hour for members and while you can't really plan for it, it's nice to get a few free beers when those happen.
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bmks270
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9:48a, 3/11/24
AG
I've been Hilton for a long time. Had Diamond a few years.

I like the Hilton Garden Inn chain. They have a Restaurant with breakfasts and diner, and a bar, so you don't have to worry about finding a place to eat. And they have nice beds. And they're everywhere.
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LitreBoy
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In reply to jh0400 • 2:27p, 3/11/24
AG
jh0400 said:
If you're Gold or better on United you can match with Marriott Bonvoy. The early check-in, late check-out, and occasional upgrade is a nice perk.
This.

I happen to be in the same situation, but the major chains usually partner with an airline (or multiple). If you fly a decent amount, you can double up (or more with airline/hotel CC) on points. As mentioned before, be a member of all of them. I still have a decent bank of Hilton points that I dip into when necessary.

Since I chose United years ago (Continental back then), I fly them on probably 98% of my trips (personal/business). They also have an option to book hotels if you are in a pinch. We actually used their Vacation service last year to go to Puerto Vallarta and got a ton of perks to go along with the stay.
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drthoop
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3:54p, 3/12/24
AG
I also use IHG too. Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. I'm diamond in all 3. Pick the one closest to where I'll be. Sorry, Platinum on Marriott. Can't keep all their levels straight.

Tom Hooper '82,'84,'86---- College Station, Texas
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AggieOO
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10:03p, 3/12/24
if you go marriott, keep an eye on the app for the promos and offers that will show up under the "account" tab. They are always doing bonus points/nights, and all you have to do is register for the promo to get it.
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POSCAG
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9:26p, 3/16/24
AG
I used to use Marriott exclusively. They have the best points redeeming for free nights. I use Hilton now due to the rural areas I travel to. Way easier to find a Hilton close compared to Marriott. Fairfield Inns are starting to pop up more, so I may switch back.
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woodyhayes
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6:54p, 3/18/24
I traveled all over North America when I worked and Hilton and their brands were the best for me. Tried Marriott, Holiday Inn, etc. Always went back to Hilton.
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DallasAg 94
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7:44p, 3/18/24
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AgShaun00
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9:04p, 3/18/24
AG
do you get per diem or just reimbursed for breakfast and dinners. Per Diem, embassy suites makes sense to cut out of pocket expenses. If you have to expense each meal, then find the hotel that has the breakfast, gym, mattress, and shower you like.
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