New Reminder Emails Lack Link to Concierge Requests
Jul 25, 2014, 8:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
New Reminder Emails Lack Link to Concierge Requests
I'm in the middle of my summer doldrums when it comes to travel but I just noticed on two upcoming reservation that the reminder emails that come out about a week in advance no longer have a link to the webpage that allows me to make requests. Is this function still available somewhere or do the various properties no longer allow special requests?
Jul 25, 2014, 9:19 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CGN
Posts: 107
I also noticed that. I stayed for the first time at a CY and a RI and thought, that they would not do the virtual concierge thing anyway...
Jul 25, 2014, 9:32 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 123
I was thinking the same thing until I looked more closely. I received an email on Wednesday for a stay at a NY Marriott this Saturday night...there is a "book before you arrive" link under the "Plan Your Stay" section of the email. It takes you to the Virtual Concierge. Perhaps having a big notable area for concierge requests in emails was resulting in too many requests and this less noticeable link is an effort to cut down advance concierge requests?
Jul 25, 2014, 9:58 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
I was thinking the same thing until I looked more closely. I received an email on Wednesday for a stay at a NY Marriott this Saturday night...there is a "book before you arrive" link under the "Plan Your Stay" section of the email. It takes you to the Virtual Concierge.
Cheers.
Jul 25, 2014, 10:25 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
I was thinking the same thing until I looked more closely. I received an email on Wednesday for a stay at a NY Marriott this Saturday night...there is a "book before you arrive" link under the "Plan Your Stay" section of the email. It takes you to the Virtual Concierge. Perhaps having a big notable area for concierge requests in emails was resulting in too many requests and this less noticeable link is an effort to cut down advance concierge requests?
Last edited by DL-Don; Jul 25, 2014 at 10:30 am
Jul 25, 2014, 11:58 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 123
My link takes me to a page with a dropdowns titled "Room Service" and "Complimentary" followed by a "your comments" section to type in a message to the hotel. I'm sure it varies from hotel to hotel what you see on that screen.
Jul 25, 2014, 3:36 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
No doubt in response to every Gold and PLT using the request box to ask for an upgrade!
Jul 26, 2014, 7:17 am
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD & BKK
Programs: UA 1K/MM; *A Gold Life; CX Gold; Marriott Platinum LT; SPG Plat; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 343
Very interesting. Just yesterday I took issue with SPG CS for the very lack of such a feature. In the SPG case I got a pre-arrival message from the GM at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in BKK suggesting that I should "let us know what we can do to connect you with whatever you need".
I sent a return e-mail requesting early check-in that went instead of directly to the hotel to Worlwide Reservations which in turn suggested that I call the hotel with my request. In return I touted back to them that guests would be much better served by taking a page from Marriott and providing something like Virtual Concierge to permit direct contact with the hotel for special requests. Sad to see that Marriott has now apparently down gauged the feature and making less accessible. Have upcoming res at Ren BKK so I'll be interested to see what I get in the pre-arrival welcome message in a few days.
I sent a return e-mail requesting early check-in that went instead of directly to the hotel to Worlwide Reservations which in turn suggested that I call the hotel with my request. In return I touted back to them that guests would be much better served by taking a page from Marriott and providing something like Virtual Concierge to permit direct contact with the hotel for special requests. Sad to see that Marriott has now apparently down gauged the feature and making less accessible. Have upcoming res at Ren BKK so I'll be interested to see what I get in the pre-arrival welcome message in a few days.