My 5 cents ...
if the scene is properly (evenly lit), regardless what mode you use, you should get a good photo. If you have high contrast, any other mode will give you what it says: 'an average'
... if you want a bit of everything, fine, but more often than not the composition drives the photo, and there must be something in-there that you want to emphasize. Thus spot metering (again - my view).
That said, besides the comments above on grey cards, zone system etc, it is essential *where* in the scene you measure the light, just as important as what metering mode you use. Sunsets, seaside, night-scenes, portraits - all drive differently the way you (should) meter, so taking decisions simply on metering mode, out of the context, is a bit superficial (I'm amateur).