Marriott Titanium Elite is VERY VERY valuable. maybe you had one bad experience but i and others i know have had very good to great experiences at marriotts in europe and asia with my Titanium elite status. especially for suite upgrades. and some great lounges!!
maybe you should share with which hotel you had such a problem??

Pro-Hilton benefits: 1) Excess nights from previous year rollover to the next year and count towards status. This really helps a road warrior maintain high status level and is an awesome(!) benefit to me. Marriott excess nights do not roll over which bothers me—I stayed in Marriott 140+ nights last year, 65 excess nights. 2) Hilton brand, as opposed to the lower-level franchised Hilton brands are very high quality service, rooms, food, etc. Being Diamond and reaping these benefits is valuable if higher-end Hilton is targeted in Asia. I can’t speak for the franchises lower-end, I’ve never stayed in any. But I’m wary—benefits do not appear to be consistent across the Hilton line of hotels.

Pro-Marriott benefits: 1) High level of benefits uniformity across the Marriott brand in China. Even the low-end hotels are remarkable in beauty, luxury, Quality, etc., compared to the USA same named hotels. Many Courtyards in China are better than ANY hotel I’ve ever stayed at in the USA. 2) China has a LOT of Marriott branded Hotels and thus easy to find and convenient to travel. Upgrades almost every stay, I’ve never Had to use Suite Nights because I’m always upgraded.

Overall, the best Hiltons and Best Marriotts are equally phenomenal in Asia. The lower-level Marriotts are more predictable and uniform than Hilton brands. I suggest if you need a luxury experience using points with either, explore China—very cheap to use points there and exceptional value.

My experience in the USA is a little different. The lower end Marriotts are a little “blah” to me. Only the upper end Marriotts come close to matching anything in China.

Here’s my suggestion for these chains…be the first to require an elite lounge be in all your upscale properties. If Marriott announced that tomorrow…I’d flip those %’s for 2020 in a quick second.

Conversely, if Hilton did it…I’d never leave them. This hit or miss…maybe they have a lounge…maybe they don’t stuff is getting old.

Regardless of how we earned our status (old fashioned night #’s or pricey credit card) I think you owe it to your best customers.

Titanium Elite Lifetime here. In May, checked in at the Sheraton Waikiki, using points for 5 nights. Fifth night free.

Incredible treatment.
Upon check in.

1. Given a choice of room upgrade or breakfast for 2. We elected breakfast. Buffet was priced at $36 pp. excellent buffet,
2. Fantastic concierge lounge. The food was so good, both in the morning and evening, we would have been happy eating breakfast in the lounge. Incredible atmosphere in the lounge. The tables were bussed frequently. Really up to international Asian lounge standards. Open 7 days a week.
3. Given a paper bag and told we could fill it up at the gift store. Got 6 Heinekens in it.

However, It appears that too many of the chains hotels are inconsistent when it comes to benefits. We go to Las Vegas frequently for a relaxing non gambling vacation. With meager Cosmopolitan benefits, we always stay at the Wynn.

Ah, sorry to hear that has been your experience Bill 🙁 Have you had the same experience across a number of Marriott hotels?

I’ve stayed at high-end hotels in the past entirely on points and was never treated like a third-class guest. In fact, quite the opposite.

So to pile on my last stays are Marriott properties have been less than ideal. Example my current stay at the Old Town Scottsdale property. Is a great example of this race to the bottom. They announced a Bonvoy party they had a ok bar set up and lite snacks. I got there about 20 minutes before the end and they brought out a plate of ravioli, tasted it and it was like the chef, sorry cook maybe had defrost then maybe microwave and tossed it in jar tomato sauce and served. So i quietly brought it to the attention of the host.she apologized tried to make it better – she really did and a appreciate the effort. But that was not the point. That dish should have never left the kitchen! Fixing after the fact is not hard. But as elite members i would think we deserve better treatment. First time quality use to be Marriott hallmark now it keep lowering the standards till someone complains – individually fix and continue the race to the bottom.

I´ve used Marriott for my personal and business trips. I have earned titanium elite status; however, that is worth nothing. My last stay left a sour taste. Just like Milan I’m switching to Hilton.