Hilton, IHG or SPG

[Deleted member 29185]

In the same vein as markis10s "Which Door" question, I ask which chain (again).


In another thread, members are choosing IC over Hilton for an event being held in the Hilton. In my limited experience, IHG is probably the least desirable of the management chains I would have picked, so here is the post I made to that thread (relocated here so as not to OT that thread)

"So a few deciding not to stay at Hilton in preference to IC.

I know a lot of AFFers have IHG status, but I have to admit that IHG has not impressed me one bit over Hilton. Am I missing some really good reason why IHG is the better deal, or is it just personal preference (unused certificates/stay credits/points/RA status/HH status expired). Or is it SYD Hilton room sizes for fee commanded not representing good value for money.

I'm really just mildly curious about your choices and still wondering if there's some attraction with IHG that's eluding me ."

 

[medhead]

Ok my answer here.

I was initially travelling to this by myself, hence the Hilton booking. Then my brother confirmed his trip home to Australia, including landing in Sydney on 29 June and spending a few days in Sydney to catch up. Cutting that long story short, I had to change plans from an excepted family trip to BNE to see him.

So we checked prices with Hilton, SWMBO being diamond with them. Prices looked good. But we didn't book due to issues with getting breakfast, waiting for my brother to set his details and not sure about putting young children in a separate room. When things were more set we went back to book and the prices had increased significantly. Intercontinental could offer 1 room (not 2) for an acceptable price. Strangely the Hilton booking call centre would do the second kids room for 50% off. Not denying that we snoozed and then lost.

So reasons were Hilton room size, price and better views at the intercontinental for the children.

 

[markis10]

The answer varies by city, in the case of the example of Sydney you have one of the best club lounges at the IC versus a uni cafe, with free mini bar a factor as well if your a RA. Brisbane no choice, Melbourne probably Hilton while Adelaide it's line ball and Perth goes to Hilton, at least that's my view re IHG vs Hilton.

Throw SPG in with their valuable but easy points earn thanks to BRG, the choice becomes harder especially as they expand their portfolio locally, one of the main reasons I am shooting for plat with them this year.

At the end of the day having status of Gold or better at three chains does give you choices without taking your eye off the dollars.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Throw SPG in with their valuable but easy points earn thanks to BRG, the choice becomes harder especially as they expand their portfolio locally, one of the main reasons I am shooting for plat with them this year.

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking along those lines, although is gold with three really worth considering over plat/diamond with two (or even one)?

 

[markis10]

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking along those lines, although is gold with three really worth considering over plat/diamond with two (or even one)?

Depends how you get the Gold, its easy with Hilton or SPG even without taking into account VAs "once only" benefit. I actually have Gold or better in five chains at present, I don't see Accor or Radisson being part of my portfolio next year.

 

[boomy]

Not a big fan of IHG myself.

Hilton is my choice on overseas business trips (Conrad is a favorite) & anywhere in oz but Sydney.
In Sydney the rooms are just too small and I don't like to play the upgrade game.

SPG is my choice in Sydney. Both Sheraton & Westin are great hotels. Big rooms, good lounges & great service.
When on holiday I prefer their resorts over Hilton's.

I make sure to maintain Hilton Diamond & SPG Platinum to enjoy both worlds

 

[medhead]

Thanks for the reply.

I didn't want to be nosey (well not much ) but I was more interested in if I was missing some IHG benefit that is appealing!

I though the better of asking on this thread and risking an OT so moved my original post to a different thread. Hopefully a mod can move any others. Sorry for the confusion!

Maybe I volunteered too much info. I did try to avoid the round about that was nailing down my brother's actual movements. Possibly part of the reason we missed the Hilton booking.

Anyway, I'm not expecting much from my priority club platinum. Only free wifi post 1 July. Will be interesting to see how that pans out with checking in on 29 June and leaving in July. My expectation is no upgrade and hence no club lounge.


Just replying here from the other thread. that was a tribulation, stubborn iphone app keep post the reply back in the other thread. hope a real computer works.

 

[dot]

For me, I can get corporate rates at the Intercon, but not at the Hilton. The choice for me was actually between the Swisotel (in Market St, just around the corner from the Hilton) and the Intercon - there were others, but all were less appealing options. For me, chasing Royal at IHG outweighed the convienience of Swissotel.

 

[serfty]

These days I can barely manage 30 room nights per year, so need to stick with one chain.

So for me, Hilton with guaranteed elite benefits does it for me.

FWIW, I am staying at the Hilton for the referenced event using my Maq. Premium $99 once a year rate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

These days I can barely manage 30 room nights per year, so need to stick with one chain.

So for me, Hilton with guaranteed elite benefits does it for me.

FWIW, I am staying at the Hilton for the referenced event using my Maq. Premium $99 once a year rate.

Whenever we actually sit down and discuss this, Mrs swanning_it and I come up with the same conclusion. Hilton (especially here in Oz) stands head and shoulders above the others with benefits (though I'm not entirely sure about SPG) we can manage one elite status and perhaps two if we really struggled, but certainly not three.

I'm also wondering if IHG will start aligning their benefits more along a Hilton approach now they've made platinum harder to attain and retain because I'm really failing to see any tangible reason to struggle to retain IHG platinum and Amb (for me) is hugely under utilised since they only have four ICs in Oz (with one of those located in a midgee swamp that really holds very limited interest to me).

Anyway, I guess we'll be using +1s, comp SM to secure IHG plat for another year at least and hopefully may see some beneficial change in the way status is rewarded rather than the ad-hoc approach they currently employ. It's a pity VA didn't do the SM deal with SPG as well .

 

[oz_mark]

Whenever we actually sit down and discuss this, Mrs swanning_it and I come up with the same conclusion. Hilton (especially here in Oz) stands head and shoulders above the others with benefits (though I'm not entirely sure about SPG) we can manage one elite status and perhaps two if we really struggled, but certainly not three.

I agree on the benefits thing (although SPG is not to bad if you can get to the platinum level - on the gold level, Hilton is in front). The thing is, as hotels (put aside benefits), I tend to prefer the Intercontinentals. Further, sometimes Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn is the only viable option around*. Down side, is that I will probably be pushing it uphill to renew platinum at priority club this year (even though I am way past last years requirements)

So really, the question for me becomes, what do I do about places where there are no Hiltons? For the most part, that is where Priority Club comes in.

Having said that, for my end of year holidays this year, both Hilton and IHG hotels are a bit thin on the ground, so it is looking like a Starwood holiday :shock:

*Ok, Accor sometimes have viable hotel options, but there benefits are even further behind than PC.

I'm also wondering if IHG will start aligning their benefits more along a Hilton approach now they've made platinum harder to attain and retain because I'm really failing to see any tangible reason to struggle to retain IHG platinum and Amb (for me) is hugely under utilised since they only have four ICs in Oz (with one of those located in a midgee swamp that really holds very limited interest to me).

Don't know if they will align with the Hilton, but certainly once the great cull comes at the end of the year, I would hope that even the existing benefits are more frequently given out.

Anyway, I guess we'll be using +1s, comp SM to secure IHG plat for another year at least and hopefully may see some beneficial change in the way status is rewarded rather than the ad-hoc approach they currently employ. It's a pity VA didn't do the SM deal with SPG as well .

There are ways and means to SPG gold (e.g. fast track with World mastercards)

 

[serfty]

SPG has more aligned itself toward Hilton Diamond with similar guaranteed benefits for its Platinum members over the last year or two, but still to hard for me to pursue both, so Hilton gets my nod

Until the Mid 90's I was an Accor guy [no Le (A|)Club Accor back then] and Adv+ membership combined to be ok for some good cheap rates.

IHG is still a good fallback where there is no Hilton available. Have basically been Gold or Platinum with them for several years since the "Biggest Loser" promotion but that generally does not amount to much other than additional points (and free internet I see from next week).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

sometimes Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn is the only viable option around*.

IHG is still a good fallback where there is no Hilton available.

I should mention that I sort of agree with this sentiment. In Oz there is a big difference in locations serviced between Hilton and IHG properties (but closing), but...............if benefits are sketchy or don't happen, then what's the benefit really? Except for some points toward a free night at some point, one may as well just look at all available options and choose the most suited for location, price, value, inclusions. I often see breakfast deals going where I'd be hard pressed to imagine the status points being worth more, or things like the Wotif mystery hotels or flaming deals. That's my take on it. Status is nice, but if there are no benefits apart from a shiney card then why not search out a screaming deal and go to the shops and buy some canapes and a bottle of wine and create your own "non-status" happy hour benefit, which BTW was exactly what we did at Rendezvous in Perth recently, or rather than tying ourselves to a hotel restaurant (or worse, lounge) when we can go and have a great breakfast at a nice location for a fraction of the hotel prices (which is what we also did in Canberra @ Crowne and Port Douglas @ Mirage).

Boy, I'd better shut up as I'm talking myself out of hotel status completely!