How does Marriott treat you as an elite?

[thatsthatmattressman]

This is a clever sanity check amaroo ..would be keen to know over the course of time if it is working in your favour. I do see some of the plusses for sure. I assume you are not getting Marriott Bonvoy points for this right so you are factoring in the loss of points by assigning a value to them (which is being returned in breakfasts, upgrades and other benefits notably for the 2nd or 3rd rooms)?

We're trialing moving away from the big branded loyalty schemes and booking direct via a Virtuoso agent. Have booked four properties over the next 4 weeks. From what I can see even when you stay in a big brand property the Virtuoso benefits exceed what they give their top tier elites.... particular when there is no lounge / club.

 

[lilkid28]

This is a clever sanity check amaroo ..would be keen to know over the course of time if it is working in your favour. I do see some of the plusses for sure. I assume you are not getting Marriott Bonvoy points for this right so you are factoring in the loss of points by assigning a value to them (which is being returned in breakfasts, upgrades and other benefits notably for the 2nd or 3rd rooms)?

I've read from OMAAT that booking through Virtuoso still earns points?

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Most interesting!

I've read from OMAAT that booking through Virtuoso still earns points?

 

[drron]

Yes indeed still get the points so a win/win.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

drron You booking through the Virtuoso Classic Travel where you can do it all online or are you doing it through a 'live' agent? Reason I ask is wondering if the loyalty program details flow through electronically without dramas...

Yes indeed still get the points so a win/win.

 

[drron]

Through an agent.

 

[lilkid28]

Does booking alternate nights between partner at same property qualify for the 75 or 100 credit daily?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Through an agent.

Hi Ron,

Do you use the same agent every time or do you go with who pops up when searching for a hotel in a particular area?

 

[drron]

The same agent for cruises etc but we have switched to an AFF agent for flights.

 

[Jacques Vert]

we have switched to an AFF agent for flights.

Of course !

 

[amaroo]

This is a clever sanity check amaroo ..would be keen to know over the course of time if it is working in your favour. I do see some of the plusses for sure. I assume you are not getting Marriott Bonvoy points for this right so you are factoring in the loss of points by assigning a value to them (which is being returned in breakfasts, upgrades and other benefits notably for the 2nd or 3rd rooms)?

Only one of the hotels we stayed was a loyalty branded (SPG) property, but the stay/points posts in the normal manner.

All properties provided (guaranteed) benefits as promised without hassle or reminder. We received a couple of upgrades and took advantage of late checkout. Virtuoso is a clear winner for us, the pool of properties you can access is excellent and the benefits are superior particularly when booking two or more rooms.

 

[andye]

Status: Gold via Amex
Property: Sheraton Senggigi Lombok
Date: 8-15 Jan 2019
Rate: 7 day Travel Package redemption x3
Booked: 2xBase Double 1x Base King
Upgraded: 1x Suite 1x King 1xDouble all with sea views but think that is standard
(A bed fewer than we wanted but couch in suite fine)
Received: Daily water in all rooms. 2x fruit platters each room. 15% Discount on dining.

Very much enjoyed the stay
Many reviews say rooms need renovation but were fine for this redemption level (standard cash rates about $120). An in-room fridge broke down but was fixed promptly.
Very nice pool and reception areas. 2 decent tennis courts. Maybe a little short on daytime activities. A little bit of snorkelling off the private beach but is a fishing bay so better elsewhere on a trip to the Gili Islands
Brekky and restaurant dining good (though coughtail mixing was a bit hit and miss). Close to other dining options on beachfront.
What was really outstanding was the effort that staff went to for mstr andye4's birthday. Song and cake at breakfast, room decorated with balloons and towel animals.
Staff very friendly and effective

 

[mokuni]

Status: Gold via Amex
Property: Sheraton Senggigi Lombok
Date: 8-15 Jan 2019
Rate: 7 day Travel Package redemption x3
Booked: 2xBase Double 1x Base King
Upgraded: 1x Suite 1x King 1xDouble all with sea views but think that is standard
(A bed fewer than we wanted but couch in suite fine)
Received: Daily water in all rooms. 2x fruit platters each room. 15% Discount on dining.

Very much enjoyed the stay
Many reviews say rooms need renovation but were fine for this redemption level (standard cash rates about $120). An in-room fridge broke down but was fixed promptly.
Very nice pool and reception areas. 2 decent tennis courts. Maybe a little short on daytime activities. A little bit of snorkelling off the private beach but is a fishing bay so better elsewhere on a trip to the Gili Islands
Brekky and restaurant dining good (though coughtail mixing was a bit hit and miss). Close to other dining options on beachfront.
What was really outstanding was the effort that staff went to for mstr andye4's birthday. Song and cake at breakfast, room decorated with balloons and towel animals.
Staff very friendly and effective

Wow you did well getting a Suite by only being gold. Congrats.

 

[bernardblack]

Status: Gold via Amex
Property: Sheraton Hong Kong
Date: 24 Feb 2019
Rate: Member flexible rate, ~HKD2320 inc taxes and service charges
Booked: Deluxe Harbour View King
Upgraded: No, exactly as booked
Received: Handwritten welcome note from Customer Service manager (on her day off), plus branded box of macarons.

As predicted elsewhere on this site, there was no upgrade or lunge access and nothing particularly notable in the way of elite benefits, but we were only staying one night and wanted a view and a colleague who works in our Hong Kong office recommended this specific hotel. The view was lovely, the room was spacious and well-equipped, and the hotel location is excellent.

 

[dajop]

Is Platinum the new gold?

I've had only one suite upgrade in about 20 stays since the merger (about 1 in 3 before - legacy SPG).

Also my partner is at Westin Beijing Chaoyang and accidentally selected twin room, and he certainly didn't get upgrade to another room (even though they are selling all of the higher room categories for the whole stay at only marginally more than what he is paying), they also won't even "upgrade" him to the same level king room (which is selling at same price as he is paying). He won't be going back, plenty of choice in Beijing now. His status, alas, is only Platinum. I wonder if Titanium would make a difference. At least lounge access was granted.

 

[lilkid28]

Is Platinum the new gold?

I've had only one suite upgrade in about 20 stays since the merger (about 1 in 3 before - legacy SPG).

Also my partner is at Westin Beijing Chaoyang and accidentally selected twin room, and he certainly didn't get upgrade to another room (even though they are selling all of the higher room categories for the whole stay at only marginally more than what he is paying), they also won't even "upgrade" him to the same level king room (which is selling at same price as he is paying). He won't be going back, plenty of choice in Beijing now. His status, alas, is only Platinum. I wonder if Titanium would make a difference. At least lounge access was granted.

Did your partner push for on upgrade to Suite given that it was still selling?

 

[tizey]

Currently at the Laylow, Waikiki.

Booked 1x King, Balcony using 7 night cert 9months ago. Got "upgraded" to 2x King, which was no good as we wanted the couch to chill out on... Moved rooms three times, ended up with what we wanted but much higher floor with a view. What wasn't available on check in became available with some gentle persistence.

Silver elite, old relic of amex provided gold.

 

[dajop]

Did your partner push for on upgrade to Suite given that it was still selling?

No he didn’t push for a suite. Just the next category room up - which are a bit larger but not suites - or any room with king bed. I think they view the rooms with exec lounge access as a higher category so that’s considered an upgrade, even though same type of room.

 

[Isochronous]

Marriott HQ is exercising no quality control and not enforcing standards at all, so properties are now taking the piss with elite benefits. Increasingly one will have to be assertive in order to get anywhere.

 

[leadman]

A little in disagreement. As with airlines just depents on status. I was upgraded to a suite at Kota Kinabala @ Ti level. Not whimper or question. Have been upgraded on at least the past 20 stays maybe even the past 40!