US still got the all the highest marks for all the airline related categories, but I voted differently when it came to the hotels.
Each year I would recognize Marriott with all my votes, but I found 2008 to be poor for Marriott. I’ve had some upsetting stays, dismal customer service and ridiculous reductions in the Marriott Rewards program. I’m also upset with the progress of new properties I was really looking forward to staying at.

This year, I’ve found more value with the Hilton HHonors program, and more than anything else, I’ve found Priority Club very rewarding with their stackable bonus promotions and excellent credit card. In the last 6 months I’ve earned more than 80,000 Priority Club points without spending a single penny for hotel rooms. I will say it again, the Priority Club Visa card is amazing and has a very low annual fee ($25). And while Priority Club outsources all of their customer service (even for the Platinum line), I still find the agents genuinely helpful and friendly.

One other neat thing. Go on USAirways.com and on the top left of the page use their Google based search engine and search for the keyword “freddie”. You’ll find an old page which strangely enough still bears the America West logo. Interesting read.

Don’t forget to vote in the Freddie Awards. Voting closes February 28, 2009.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark