Need help determining what hotel card suits us best...

[js0319]

I didn't realize what a deal that is with Marriott on Cat 1 or 2 stays - either 5 or 6 nights from the bonus. What about Ritz? If you get the 140k bonus, can you use those points at Marriott, which would be 18 free nights at Cat 1?

[Anonymous]

Effectively... 210K pts adds up.

[takeshi74]

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@js0319 wrote:

We generally stay at La Quinta because of our corporate discount, book through the Chase UR site, and collect points for our stay and 3X points for booking through UR. 

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What do you consider deficient with your UR cards for hotel stays?  A cobranded card generally doesn't make much sense unless you're going to use the brand frequently.

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@js0319 wrote:

We have been loyal to La Quinta for the past 3-4 years, but we're not interested in getting the FNB of Omaha La Quinta Visa.

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Why not (I'm not familiar with the card)?  Help us understand your reasoning.  If you don't want a card cobranded with chain your frequently stay at then a more general card such as your UR cards tends to make more sense.

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@js0319 wrote:
I didn't realize what a deal that is with Marriott on Cat 1 or 2 stays - either 5 or 6 nights from the bonus. What about Ritz? If you get the 140k bonus, can you use those points at Marriott, which would be 18 free nights at Cat 1?

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Marriott and RC points can be used with either chain.  Details are on the respective sites and such research should be included in your due diligence.

[js0319]

We are looking to get away from La Quinta because we only build loyalty points through bookings, and I'm not interest in a narrowly focus card like FNB La Quinta. I would like to switch my loyalty to another company that also offers a card with good rewards and a good points program when you stay at the property.

[dilettante]

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@js0319 wrote:
I didn't realize what a deal that is with Marriott on Cat 1 or 2 stays - either 5 or 6 nights from the bonus. What about Ritz? If you get the 140k bonus, can you use those points at Marriott, which would be 18 free nights at Cat 1?

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With the Ritz 140k sign up bonus, you could get even more nights if your stays are 5 nights or longer.  When redeeming points for 5 consequtive nights, you get the 5th night "free".  So for category 1, you can stay 15 nights for 90k points (don't know if you were planning to stay in one place for that long, though).

The Ritz sign up right now is the best deal out there for hotel cards, IMO, even with the hefty fee.  The complimentary Gold status will get you free breakfast and lounge access at most Marriott's, $300 airline reimbursement comes in handy for baggage fee's and food/drinks in flight if traveling economy, etc. (as well as the GC trick that some have been having fun with).

Some good info out there that compares some of the hotel loyalty programs:

http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/top-hotel-loyalty-programs.html?id=772&all=1

http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Travel-Rewards/hotel-rewards/

[js0319]

I applied and was approved for $21k. Wasn't expecting that - what a nice surprise.