Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Marriott Platinum upgrades at Ritz Properites

Anyone that is a Marriott Platinum had any luck getting upgrades at Ritz Properties now that they are part of the Marriott family. Everything that I read on the Marriott Platinum pages state that Platinum status with Marriott doesn't get you any extra's when staying at Ritz....Anyone had any other experience or suggestions on getting Platinum benefit at Ritz?:cool:

They give next room type upgrades when available.

Many ritzes may not have multiple room types available, especially city hotels.

Upgrades are not made to suites or club level rooms per the T&C. Internet was free, but they had to credit off as part of checkout. Did get 1000 bonus arrival points. No lounge access or free breakfast, again this is noted in the T&C so should not be a suprise.

I stayed at Ritz Palm Beach. They have room types
Limited View
Resort View
Ocean View
Ocean Front

reserved limited got resort view, Apparently the resort to them is the parking lot, and not the pool and activities area. I can't imagine what the limited view was.

I even stopped at the desk and made them pull out a property map and show me where various room types were.

City hotels may upgrade from low floor to high floor and that's that.

They give next room type upgrades when available.

I don't doubt that a clerk at a particular Ritz told you this, but there is no such restriction in the rules. The rules only don't provide for upgrades to suites or club level.

I'm not sure what you mean...

https://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits/platinum.mi has a section that reads:

Room Upgrade
When you check in, we’ll upgrade you to our best-available guest room at no additional charge. Not available for suites at Marriott Vacation Club International. For Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites, upgrades from studio to 1- or 2-bedrooms are not guaranteed. For The Ritz-Carlton, Club Level and suites are excluded.

So this seems to say you get next best AVAILABLE room, excluding suites and club level.

So at this property there's no reason not to go from Limited View to Ocean front, if available.

Best available, not NEXT best. They will give you the best room they have open except suite or club.

I have had the 48 hour at Atlanta when hotel full for SEC football.

I'm just going to skip this pretentious brand....

Have had great experiences on points or lowest rate at JW Marriotts including spectacular room upgrades (Presidential Suite at JW in Rio, oceanfront in Guanacaste, Costa Rica etc.)--clearly far better value for Platinums than the Ritz brand.

Best available, not NEXT best. They will give you the best room they have open except suite or club.

Wow, good catch. I totally missed this and wish I'd had realized this wording. They in fact told me they had plenty of ocean view and front rooms available, at $200 upgrade fee per night...I could have totally scored that having had this in my hands.

Now I know for next time. Maybe I'll try that ritz again and not move to Four Seasons next visit.

I stayed at the Ritz in Kapalua on Maui in October. Paid the AAA rate for a room, and was upgraded to Ocean View, almost ocean front, which were all occupied. I think the rate was $219.

Ritz-Carlton Boston Common. Upgraded to better view. When I returned to room after dinner, there was a bountiful fruit tray, a bottle of Evian and a bottle of Pellegrino waiting for me. Nicely done and way more than the Long Wharf has ever done for me. Now back to the Super Bowl.

I miss the good old days somewhat. No points, but starting about 16 years ago or so, my husband and I used to go to the Ritz Tyson's Corner for the weekend frequently (he was in training with the Marines down in Quantico, and working often 18 hours a day, sometimes in the field for days, plus studying, so he'd spend the weekend watching movies and resting while I was pampered!). They got to know us so well, we always got upgraded to the club level. We still even keep in touch with Christmas cards with one concierge there.

Now I know unless we paid for club level, the front desk really doesn't have that leeway to upgrade.

We used to get upgraded a lot to club level at several other Ritz hotels. Still, I like that they finally have a points system! Hope it gets better though - so far I'm never able to find availability to use points for anything but a basic room. I won't stay unless it's club level. Spoiled.