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Old Jan 15, 13, 2:54 pm   #1
 
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(lack of) Elite Benefits at Resorts

I have a couple one night stays in various places that have Marriott resorts and I'm having a really tough time talking myself into staying with them. On one hand I have tons of MR Points that I'd like to start using, but on the other the benefits for Platinums are pretty much non-existent. No guaranteed lounge access (if they have one), no late checkout, no breakfast, the list goes on.

Personally I find that having these types of benefits is more valuable at resorts than anywhere else. In my world on work trips if there's no breakfast offered I can go get some coffee and pastry or full breakfast and expense it, same with some small appetizers, water, whathaveyou in the lounge.

Am I off-base here? I am SPG Plat and they bend over backwards at 95% of their resorts (Villas are the typical loser of the bunch). I'm sure there are some better Marriott resorts, but completely eliminating the benefits from Resorts is a pretty dumb policy. I've expressed my frustration with Marriott but of course nothing will happen
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Old Jan 15, 13, 4:08 pm   #2
 
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Third thread in month on the topic or poor benefits at resorts.

Why use your points to stay at a Marriott resort? Because it is a free stay. Your other option is to leave your points in your account, where they do nothing.
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Old Jan 15, 13, 4:37 pm   #3
 
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once Rayong opens there will be 8 resort props here in Thailand (alone)..........all provide plat benees in one form or another from breakfast to upgrades and even lounge access.......and were the first to offer Internet access to all MR members.........

Quote:
Originally Posted by nevansm View Post
I have a couple one night stays in various places that have Marriott resorts and I'm having a really tough time talking myself into staying with them. On one hand I have tons of MR Points that I'd like to start using, but on the other the benefits for Platinums are pretty much non-existent. No guaranteed lounge access (if they have one), no late checkout, no breakfast, the list goes on.

Personally I find that having these types of benefits is more valuable at resorts than anywhere else. In my world on work trips if there's no breakfast offered I can go get some coffee and pastry or full breakfast and expense it, same with some small appetizers, water, whathaveyou in the lounge.

Am I off-base here? I am SPG Plat and they bend over backwards at 95% of their resorts (Villas are the typical loser of the bunch). I'm sure there are some better Marriott resorts, but completely eliminating the benefits from Resorts is a pretty dumb policy. I've expressed my frustration with Marriott but of course nothing will happen
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Old Jan 15, 13, 6:45 pm   #4
 
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Orlando World Center Marriott

Just posted my great experience with a recent stay at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Lake Buena Vista, FL in the Master Thread of lounges open/closed. Maybe it would have been better here. At any rate, check out post #1014 for more info on my experience. Don't want to double post.
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Old Jan 15, 13, 6:51 pm   #5
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VickiSoCal View Post
Third thread in month on the topic or poor benefits at resorts.

Why use your points to stay at a Marriott resort? Because it is a free stay. Your other option is to leave your points in your account, where they do nothing.
Well, if it's the 3rd thread both Flyertalk search and Google didn't find them, so I'd love to know about them.

You have a good point, I won't be using my points at resorts and will instead use Starwood points where they actually guarantee benefits.
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Old Jan 15, 13, 6:58 pm   #6
 
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Marriott guarantees benefits that are actually due.........it's called Ultimate Reservation Guarantee...... does SPG?????

Quote:
Originally Posted by nevansm View Post
Well, if it's the 3rd thread both Flyertalk search and Google didn't find them, so I'd love to know about them.

You have a good point, I won't be using my points at resorts and will instead use Starwood points where they actually guarantee benefits.

Last edited by BKKLEE; Jan 15, 13 at 7:04 pm..
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Old Jan 15, 13, 7:40 pm   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nevansm View Post
I have a couple one night stays in various places that have Marriott resorts and I'm having a really tough time talking myself into staying with them. On one hand I have tons of MR Points that I'd like to start using, but on the other the benefits for Platinums are pretty much non-existent. No guaranteed lounge access (if they have one), no late checkout, no breakfast, the list goes on.

Personally I find that having these types of benefits is more valuable at resorts than anywhere else. In my world on work trips if there's no breakfast offered I can go get some coffee and pastry or full breakfast and expense it, same with some small appetizers, water, whathaveyou in the lounge.
Your post highlights an important, but often ignored, concept to earning points.... Make sure you earn them where you want to use them!

But having said that - are bennies really that important on a one night stay?
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Old Jan 15, 13, 8:11 pm   #8
 
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the problem is some of these "resorts" are barely resorts in more in name only.

In Florida Marriott operates 37 "resorts" for example. So it is isn't just in the Carribean, Mexico, etc.

Also, what is up with some being "resorts" yet on Marriotts Site not labeled as such.
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Old Jan 15, 13, 9:08 pm   #9
 
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Marriott operates 34 resorts in Florida, a resort state, out of some 275 props in the state ......
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-search...states.resort/

the issue of using, or not using, the actual word "resort" in the title of the prop has been brought up many times before.....some use it and are not classified as resorts while others don't use it but are considered resorts......just another example of consistent inconsistency.......

Quote:
Originally Posted by jr1202sr View Post
the problem is some of these "resorts" are barely resorts in more in name only.

In Florida Marriott operates 37 "resorts" for example. So it is isn't just in the Carribean, Mexico, etc.

Also, what is up with some being "resorts" yet on Marriotts Site not labeled as such.
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Old Jan 16, 13, 6:32 am   #10
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BKKLEE View Post
Marriott operates 34 resorts in Florida, a resort state, out of some 275 props in the state ......
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-search...states.resort/

the issue of using, or not using, the actual word "resort" in the title of the prop has been brought up many times before.....some use it and are not classified as resorts while others don't use it but are considered resorts......just another example of consistent inconsistency.......
Shoot me. 34. Ok Mr. Know everything....You book a room in Orlando and unless you want to be at the airport, 30 miles East of everything or the one "new Marriott" autograph DT you will get a resort unless you are willing to stay at lower tier hotel like a Fairfield. Good Luck with that property DT property at night btw. Those of us who travel in Florida "a lot" get way more "resorts" as choices than those travelling in other areas of the Country. Our frustration is much greater with Marriott than those who frequent Marriott’s Asian props who get treated very well. Thus I am not sure what you have to add to this.

If you stay as many stays as I do in resorts and basically get free internet only that many resorts include "free" in the resort fee for everyone. what is the point to show loyalty? Points to stay in another "resort"?
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Old Jan 16, 13, 6:56 am   #11
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sophiegirl View Post
Your post highlights an important, but often ignored, concept to earning points.... Make sure you earn them where you want to use them!

But having said that - are bennies really that important on a one night stay?
I do earn points where I want to use them. I love going to FS Marriott and JW properties around the world that provide the benefits that I'd expect. I obviously know what the T&C are for the benefits at resorts. This is more of a call to action thread. If more people voice their opinion to Marriott maybe it'll change.
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Old Jan 16, 13, 7:00 am   #12
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BKKLEE View Post
Marriott guarantees benefits that are actually due.........it's called Ultimate Reservation Guarantee...... does SPG?????
+1. I never got this, nor the room type NOT guaranteed on awards out of SPG. WHY?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nevansm View Post
Personally I find that having these types of benefits is more valuable at resorts than anywhere else. In my world on work trips if there's no breakfast offered I can go get some coffee and pastry or full breakfast and expense it, same with some small appetizers, water, whathaveyou in the lounge.

Am I off-base here? I am SPG Plat and they bend over backwards at 95% of their resorts (Villas are the typical loser of the bunch). I'm sure there are some better Marriott resorts, but completely eliminating the benefits from Resorts is a pretty dumb policy. I've expressed my frustration with Marriott but of course nothing will happen
Agree w/point 1-I find I want free breakfast on award (resort) stays, where options to find quick/easy/reasonable food is difficult and its on MY dime!

Disagree w/point 2-I have been to a few SPG resorts, and many NON-resorts and find the "bend ove backwards" just wrong. Last year I had a stay at the Hotel Imperial, and breakfast was 69 (?) euro for my 14 yr old kid! Marriott has always comp'd my kids breakfast!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jr1202sr View Post
the problem is some of these "resorts" are barely resorts in more in name only.

In Florida Marriott operates 37 "resorts" for example. So it is isn't just in the Carribean, Mexico, etc.

Also, what is up with some being "resorts" yet on Marriotts Site not labeled as such.
I agree. If it HAS resort-it should be. If not, should NOT be. WHY confuse everyone with this???
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Old Jan 16, 13, 7:13 am   #13
 
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I don't like the properties that are resorts WITHOUT resort in their names. In those cases, I expect certain benefits and don't get them. Now I see if Marriott classifies them as a resort separately.

Posting from mobile. Just saw above two posts echo this.
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Old Jan 16, 13, 7:14 am   #14
 
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+1, been asking the same question (just like why complicate Autograph hotels by using AC in the beginning cause I think its an AC by Marriott instead of an Auto Collection) but Marriott props use resort in the title of several hotels which are NOT resorts and don't use resort in several hotels which are and it seems this confusion has led to several irrate members checking in and only then finding out the non-titled resort is classified as a resort.............. Marriott has managed to put a cavaet into props that don't participte in MRs so easy for them to put a cavaet into resorts that are/aren't but I won't hold my breath............

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Originally Posted by PhillyPhlyer40 View Post
If it HAS resort-it should be. If not, should NOT be. WHY confuse everyone with this???
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Old Jan 16, 13, 7:17 am   #15
 
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since most Thai props are classified as resorts (Pattaya, previously-Hua Hin, Ren/JW Phuket, Khao Lak, and soon Rayong) I think I log in as many resorts nights as you but don't have your problem.............

Quote:
Originally Posted by jr1202sr View Post
If you stay as many stays as I do in resorts and basically get free internet only that many resorts include "free" in the resort fee for everyone. what is the point to show loyalty? Points to stay in another "resort"?
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