Index: Introduction  Elite status (Tiers, ease of earning, lifetime) Room upgrades (suites!) Breakfast and lounge access Late checkout Miscellaneous (Customer service, Tech/IT, BRG, promos, partnerships) Points earning rates and redemption values Global footprint analysis Conclusions   Lounge access and breakfast will be handled together since they are usually inter-related. They will only be considered as benefits if granted directly as a result of status as opposed to being granted due to an upgrade to a room which grants them as part of the room benefits. In Middle East and Asia none of the following chains serve the limited continental...

Index: Introduction  Elite status (Tiers, ease of earning, lifetime) Room upgrades (suites!) Breakfast and lounge access Late checkout Miscellaneous (Customer service, Tech/IT, BRG, promos, partnerships) Points earning rates and redemption values Global footprint analysis Conclusions The goal here is to obtain meaningful upgrades. Suite upgrades (even junior suites) are considered excellent. Club/Executive room upgrades often mean nothing (since it can be the same room as a base room but with Club/Executive lounge privileges which you would have anyway as an elite member). The discussion here is about likely and average expected outcomes. Anecdotal instances of better or worse upgrade...

Index: Introduction  Elite status (Tiers, ease of earning, lifetime) Room upgrades (suites!) Breakfast and lounge access Late checkout Miscellaneous (Customer service, Tech/IT, BRG, promos, partnerships) Points earning rates and redemption values Global footprint analysis Conclusions   To gain outsized value from the programs, it is almost crucial to hit one of the elite levels that each one offers. Frequently the best benefits are only available at the highest tiers and so the ease of attaining elite tiers is critical to your choice of loyalty program (right behind career and marriage decisions. Maybe.) Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Profile: Around 1300...