One of my MJ on Travel resolutions for 2012 is to put myself on a “get well” plan for paying better attention to hotel bonus promotions and sharing my experiences with those here on the blog. All of this has already been widely blogged about, but just in case you missed it, here’s a summary of the latest promos from the 3 programs I frequent most. Not to mention… practice in posting makes better posts.

Starwood – Double SPG points on 2-night stays and triple SPG points on 3-night stays. Registration opens tomorrow (1/9). According to this FT thread, the link to register is here. Should work tomorrow.

Marriott – Q1 Megabonus. Varies by account. Go here to see what your offer is. Mine was 1 free night after every second paid stay with a max of 2 free nights.

Hilton – More Points promotion. 1,000 bonus points per night, and a 2-night weekend stay earns 5,000 bonus points. Click here for the terms and registration.

These are the 3 programs I’m likely to use. Feel free to comment to the blog if you are aware of other great promos at these chains and especially others.

Hat tips to Points, Miles & Martinis as well as Loyalty Traveler.

You may be surprised to learn that I’m flying to Atlanta this week.    Regular readers will know I’m joking, because it seems like I go to Atlanta more than anywhere else. Actually, I think I do fly to Atlanta more than anywhere else!  The Delta Medallion upgrade cleared at the 3 day window, and after some personal back and forth, I’ll be returning to the W Atlanta Buckhead this week for what I’m sure will be a great 5-night stay!

Now, all things being equal, the W Atlanta Buckhead…and any W Hotel will always win my business.  This week, however, I could really stand to be bunking very close to my work location.  In fact, I had originally booked the Hilton Atlanta, which isn’t that close, but certainly closer than Buckhead to my Atlanta office location.  But this week, vanity and staying at a hotel I love won out over practicality and a hotel I just like.  I know there’s a W Downtown Atlanta, but they don’t have rooms this week at a rate that my employer will reimburse, and I’d much rather be spending nights in Buckhead or even Midtown Atlanta than downtown.  So back to the W Atlanta Buckhead I go….for 5 nights this time, so perhaps I’ll explore the hotel and surrounding area a little more.   You can be sure I’ll share it all right here. Do you ever have a personal debate about your hotel choices?

Widely blogged about already, but just in case you didn’t see, Hilton’s Q3 promotion is out.  You can choose between double points or double miles, and registration in advance is required.  Click here for registration and terms and conditions.

My review of the Hilton Boston Back Bay is an “Express” review because I wasn’t there long enough for much else!  Arrived 6pm Thursday and left at 9am Friday.  Nonetheless, I thought I’d share a few details.  I was in the area for a business meeting just across the river in Cambridge, and this was the closest spot where I could get a decent rate, not to mention, the reviews on Flyertalk weren’t bad, so I went for it.

After a reasonably quick cabride considering it was rush hour, I arrived at the hotel.  While I didn’t need it, I noted that no bell service was available at the moment I arrived.  I proceeded inside and after a short wait, my check in was processed.  My Hilton HHonors Diamond status was not noted other than a comment that my Hilton HHonors number was on file.  He asked if I wanted internet access, and when I replied in the affirmative, I was given a coupon containing an access code.

I was originally assigned a 6th floor room, and when I asked for something a little higher up, I was given a room on the 26th floor, the highest floor.  The friendly desk clerk mentioned that this room was not as large as the room I was originally assigned, but I was fine with that for just one night.  As I was about to walk away, I asked if there was an Executive Lounge.  The attendant said I can give you a coupon for that.  The coupon said something to the effect of I would get a free continental breakfast in the “Diamond Lounge” located within the 40 Dalton Restaurant.  So no typical lounge, and I did not make it down for breakfast the next morning, so I can’t report on how that worked out.

The room itself was basic Hilton, not too small, not too big, and while I was on the 26th floor, I didn’t have much of a view of anything.  Not to matter, I wouldn’t be there for long, and it served its purpose.  I had the basic things I want in every hotel, air conditioning, a bed, a TV, a desk with power outlets, and high speed internet!  All was well.  I took a few pictures.  My apologies for the poor lighting.

Bed and Sitting Area

TV and Desk

Desk

Small Closet

Vanity in Smallish Bathroom

Nothing wrong with the room, but I thought the bath was a little compact as was the closet, but certainly all quite acceptable for a single business traveler.

There was hardly anytime even for dinner, but I did manage to venture just down the street from the hotel to a spot the concierge recommended for casual dining, Summer Shack.  Great looking bar, fresh oysters, and the Jasper’s Pan Roasted Lobster, simply divine!  I circled back to the hotel’s bar, 40 Dalton, for a night cap, and with that, I was off to bed.  Unfortunately, no time to check out the fitness center or much of anything else near the hotel.

My verdict?  Good enough, but not fabulous.  I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again if the location is the right one like it was for this trip.  But the lack of a a full executive lounge, coupled with …well, just “averageness” for lack of a better word keeps me from saying this hotel will be my “go to” spot on my next business trip to Boston.

I’m off to Atlanta and Boston this week.  Flying Delta Air Lines DCA-ATL-BOS-DCA.  I’ll be sure to post about the experience as my flights run the gamut from the MD-88 to the B-757 to a CRJ-700 (2-class).  I’m # 1 of 6 on the UPG list with 2 available tomorrow from DCA.  And my upgrade from ATL to BOS cleared this afternoon.  Sweet!  Should be an interesting comparison of services.  Not to mention, I finally settled on a hotel for my 3 nights in Atlanta.  After strongly considering the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown, I’ve elected to take the MARTA a few stops further north to Buckhead, and will be staying at the W Atlanta – Buckhead.  The last time I stayed at the Buckhead location, it had just opened, and was only partially complete, so this should be a worthwhile review.

I strongly considered the Renaissance, and truth be told, if Marriott had matched my SPG Platinum status, I probably would be staying at the Renaissance.  However, as only a Marriott Rewards Silver, I was looking at paying a ton for internet, no chance of an upgrade, and well….the rest is history.  The W Atlanta – Buckhead it is.  I’ll check out the Ren Midtown at a future time.  For my one night in Boston, I’ll be staying at the Hilton Boston Back Bay.  Can’t wait to get to Boston, just wish I could stay longer than one night!

Widely blogged about, but I wanted to mention it here.  Hilton HHonors is offering a pretty decent elite status deal if you carry a Visa Signature card in your wallet.  Just go here, verify your card #, and then register your Hilton HHonors #.  Hilton will upgrade your status to Gold through 8/31/11.  If you stay 3 times between now and 8/31, they’ll extend your Gold status all the way through March 2013.  If you’re already Gold or Diamond, they’ll give you 5,000 bonus points.  Do it!

I recently completed a one night stay at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center as part of a business trip.  I found the hotel to be quite nice, if a little busy with meeting attendees, and will certainly consider this hotel as one of my top choices when returning to the DFW area.  Since I’ve allowed a little too much time to pass between the stay and this post so this will be a bit of an “express” review.

I checked in around 5pm and was immediately assisted.  The front desk rep was Texas polite, thanked me for being an HHonors Diamond and efficiently checked me in to my 8th floor “Executive Level” room.  The room itself was large and comfortable.  Unfortunately, I left home in such a snit due to the need to make an earlier flight when mine canceled that I left my camera at home.  I did take a quick video of the room with my iPhone though.

I think the best thing about the hotel was the Executive Lounge.  The concierge took great care of his customers, and unlike most US hotel lounges I’ve visited, domestic beers and wines were complimentary.  The food spread was respectable too.

I did not eat in the hotel, but try a couple of nearby restaurants that I want to mention.  Love and War in Texas (Grapevine location) was just down the street from the hotel, and is within walking distance if you wish.  It’s a unique restaurant focused exclusively on Texas foods and I look forward to going back.  It’s good!  But I think the culinary highlight of the trip for me was Bob’s Steak & Chop House in Grapevine.  I had the “bone-in” ribeye, and I have to be honest, if it wasn’t the best steak I’ve ever eaten, it was certainly in the top 3.  I could cut it with my fork!  I’ll definitely visit Bob’s again, and you should too if you’re in town.

In summary, I thought the hotel was just fine, and am glad I tried it.  The Hilton DFW Lakes will definitely be at the top of my choices when returning to the area.  My apologies for the brevity of the review!

I’ve spent the week in DFW, and am here an extra night unexpectedly.  I spent the first 4 nights here in town at the Embassy Suites DFW North, then found out after I’d checked out that I’d need to be here another night.  I’m glad that happened because I’ve now discovered the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center.  Not that there’s anything wrong with the Embassy DFW North, it’s a standard Embassy Suites.  But this Hilton, I love if for nothing else than the lounge!  I don’t remember the last domestic Hilton lounge I’ve visited that included comp wine and beer, but this one does.  I’ll have a full review of the hotel up during the weekend.  Sorry for being slow to post this week.  Lots going on with work.  I’m sure my first class seat to DCA tomorrow night will help me destress!

I know it’s only April, but time flies, and I think it’s very wise to take stock of where you stand on obtaining elite status for the next year every so often.  Today, I want to focus on hotel elite status for next year.  I hold status with 2 chains, Starwood, where I am Platinum, and Hilton, where I hold Diamond status.  As of today, I’m at 6 stays and 15 nights with Starwood, and 1 stay and 2 nights with Hilton.  It’s not unusual for the first quarter of each year to be light on travel for me, and this year is no different.  Things are about to pick up and I will fall into my more typical travel patterns again.

As of now, it is not likely that I will be able to attain top tier status in both SPG and HHonors in 2012.  However, it is a virtual certainty that I can attain top tier in one program if I concentrate my stays with a single loyalty program going forward.  Time to take stock of things.  Both programs provide complimentary high speed internet to their top tiers (and HHonors does for Gold members as well).  That’s a big deal for me.  Each program will also provide room upgrades.  But Starwood really comes out on top here, because they will upgrade Platinum members to a suite at check in if available.  HHonors, on the other hand, specifically excludes suites.  I’ve had some great suite upgrades at W and Westin hotels….I mean rockin’ suites.  :)  Heck, I’ve even lucked out a few times with Hilton, but Starwood wins on suite upgrades.

On the topic of elite bonuses, HHonors “sounds” better with 10 points per dollar spent, and a 50 percent bonus on base points for Diamonds.  Platinum Starwood members earn 3 points per dollar spent, but most of us know that Starwood points are FAR more valuable than HHonors points.  On the topic of service, I’d say that Starwood’s Platinum Concierge is great, but I’ve had good service from the Hilton Diamond desk too.

There are other things to consider as well.  For example, I love the transferability of Starwood points: 1 for 1 to many airline programs (notably American and Delta, but not United who will only give you 1 mile for every 2 points) with a 5,000 point bonus for 20,000 points transferred.  Couple this with the excellent Starwood credit card from American Express, and you’ve got a real value proposition there.  Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from using the Starwood credit card for all your spend, but using a different hotel brand.  Hilton has a couple of attractive card options if you decide to concentrate your stays and card points earning with them as well.

Other than credit cards, there’s the not so small issue that there are something north of 3,600 HHonors properties around the world compared to over 1,000 for Starwood.  Not a huge issue when I’m visiting a major city, but it’s not unheard of for business to take me to places like Fayetteville, NC or Huntington, WV.  Try finding a W Hotel in either of those spots.  Of course, if I’m in a spot like that, I’m more than likely to be bunking at a Hampton Inn where the internet is free, and there’s not much in the way of elite benefit to be had anyway.

That’s a lot of pontificating about a decision I am going to need to make in the very near future.  Will I go for top tier with Starwood or Hilton?  Or do I chunk them both and roll with Marriott?  Do you take stock of your elite qualification progress throughout the year?  What would you do?  Stay tuned for my decision, and another post about airline elite status too.

I don’t travel last-minute all that often, but tomorrow is an exception.  I walked into the office this morning, much like any other Monday morning expecting to spend a full week in town.  By 9:30am, I was searching for flights and hotels in Atlanta.  Flights were easy, Delta it is.  Hotels on the other hand, not so much.  I spent most of the day thinking I would spend tomorrow night at an Atlanta airport hotel, and then move downtown for Wednesday night (this is a 3 day, 2 night trip).  Don’t get me wrong, there are hotels available in downtown and Midtown Atlanta tomorrow, just none at a rate my employer will pay.  So I had to suck it up and think outside the box….maybe even part with my brand loyalty.

Tomorrow, I will be spending the night at the Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center.  Then I will move to my favorite Atlanta area hotel, the W Atlanta – Midtown for the last night of my stay.  The W Midtown has some availability on the first night of my stay, only problem is that it costs about 3 times what my employer will reimburse!  Ugh.  So….for the first time in recent memory, I will split my 2-night stay amongst 2 different hotels.  I suppose an honest to goodness status ho would do this all the time, but I just haven’t felt the need so far.  In any event, tomorrow, Atlanta…….and a new hotel to review.  I really like the Marriott brand, it’s just that circumstances now require me to favor Hilton when I’m not in a Starwood property.  It’ll be like going home.  More to say when I get to the ATL.

Want an extra 2,500 HHonors points?  Hilton has been upgrading its computer systems, and to make up for long wait times on the phone, they’re offering 2,500 HHonors bonus points.  Register here.

Hat tip to Lucky.