Interview Questions for Ed French
It should be up by this time next week.
Sep 17, 2012, 1:33 am
#47
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
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FYI, I'm in a holding pattern on posting the interview right now. The interview was over the phone, so I sent a draft, along with some additional questions to Ed, so that I insure I accurately captured his responses.
So Mr. French, if you happen to read this.... please respond back to me.
So Mr. French, if you happen to read this.... please respond back to me.
Sep 21, 2012, 2:53 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
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Posts: 2,715
This is never going to come out
I have little faith that the information will ever see the light of day.
Sep 21, 2012, 3:37 pm
#49
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Sep 23, 2012, 6:57 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA lifetime gold, Marriott Plat.
Posts: 418
One must honor their word so if he was said he was going to do such then he needs to give the interview. ASAP
Sep 23, 2012, 8:03 am
#51
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Sep 23, 2012, 10:25 am
#52
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Sep 23, 2012, 12:03 pm
#53
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
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Yes,,,because we all know how well Ed French's office handles"getting back to us" 
Sep 23, 2012, 2:26 pm
#54
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Programs: DL GM, Marriott, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 75
Already done. Emailed him twice, called him and left a message. Planning to go ahead and post within a week or so, feedback or no feedback.
Sep 24, 2012, 9:22 am
#55
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Sep 27, 2012, 2:23 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Programs: DL GM, Marriott, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 75
Just published this post, on my blog:
Ed French Interview
Ed French Interview
Last edited by JimBobDuggarIsABusyMan; Sep 27, 2012 at 2:45 am
Sep 27, 2012, 3:03 am
#57
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
Just published this post, on my blog:
Ed French Interview
Ed French Interview
Sep 27, 2012, 5:49 am
#58
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 104
what is this 'brass tax' of which you speak? Is this yet more devaluation of the programme?
Brass tacks?
Brass tacks?
Sep 27, 2012, 6:22 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: United 1K, MR Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 804
As I figured, he has provided no new information and danced around the issues important to elites. In a nutshell:
I am not surprised by anything said in the interview. There is nothing new, and its the same old MR line found on MR Insiders.
Regards,
RIP...
- Breakfast for elites at Courtyard/Resorts/7 days a week... too expensive, evaluating options, meaning its not going to happen.
- Confirmed BOGO is dead (we already knew that) and there will not be a replacement anytime soon.
- Confirmed Suite Upgrades - danced around this one, meaning its not going to happen.
- Marriott's version of Cash + Points, stated members wanted the ability to book an award room + paid room on the same ressie over a program similar to Starwood's. (Not sure which members they talked to about this...) Evaluated option similar to Starwood and this is something they have analyzed, but just cant afford this as a business.
- Lifetime Status - they have some greatnews in the coming months about this program. Great for who? Whenever Ed French says there is great news, watch out because it usually means Elites are not going to like it!
I am not surprised by anything said in the interview. There is nothing new, and its the same old MR line found on MR Insiders.
Regards,
RIP...
Sep 27, 2012, 10:26 am
#60
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I don't understand this part re: the BOGOS...
"In the end, it’s awfully hard to justify a 50% discount, especially when most elites did not know about them. And, of those that did, only a very small number redeemed them." If most didn't know about BOGOs and not that many redeemed them, then wouldn't that be a reason to keep them - ie, hey we're offering you this great bennie (knowing most of you won't take us up on it). But then he said the hotels were upset & stopped accepting them, which implies they were being used.
I seriously doubt most members would ask for a combine cash+points ala Marriott over a cash+points ala Starwood.
I do hope that the 'new brands' that offer full-service get added to the list of those that earn points for incidentals.
Overall, it's a decent interview but not an unexpected one in terms of what is new/what they're doing/going to change.
Cheers.
"In the end, it’s awfully hard to justify a 50% discount, especially when most elites did not know about them. And, of those that did, only a very small number redeemed them." If most didn't know about BOGOs and not that many redeemed them, then wouldn't that be a reason to keep them - ie, hey we're offering you this great bennie (knowing most of you won't take us up on it). But then he said the hotels were upset & stopped accepting them, which implies they were being used.
I seriously doubt most members would ask for a combine cash+points ala Marriott over a cash+points ala Starwood.
I do hope that the 'new brands' that offer full-service get added to the list of those that earn points for incidentals.
Overall, it's a decent interview but not an unexpected one in terms of what is new/what they're doing/going to change.
Cheers.