Marriott Platinum worth it?
Apr 13, 2015, 7:20 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Personally, I like the extra points and the lounges. My family and my wife's family are located very close to a Marriott and I can use the AAA or Military discount to get very good rates. So for the nearly 19 years we have been married, we take at a minimum one trip a year to each set of parents. This generates lots of points - and I also have the Marriott Chase Visa, which gives you even more. As a Platinum I get 20 points a dollar (10 per dollar plus 50% Platinum bonus and 5 points per dollar on the card).
We have traveled to Europe and the mid east in the last couple of years and in London and Brussels, the breakfasts were FREE (usual cost was 20 pounds in London and 25 Euro in Brussels. Plus drinks, snacks and desserts at night probably saved us over $100 a day in food alone.
But for me, it is the points - I transfer all the points with the Marriott travel packages to an airline and my family has in the last several years traveled business class to Hawaii, Europe and Alaska. Marriott is my first choice but my employer has the actual choice, so sometimes it is Hyatt or other hotels.
All things being equal, I chose a Marriott - but if there is a nice trip to Vegas or elsewhere, I chose the best hotel.
If you just want lounge access, Gold is really good enough, but if you want to maximize your points, I would aim for Platinum.
We have traveled to Europe and the mid east in the last couple of years and in London and Brussels, the breakfasts were FREE (usual cost was 20 pounds in London and 25 Euro in Brussels. Plus drinks, snacks and desserts at night probably saved us over $100 a day in food alone.
But for me, it is the points - I transfer all the points with the Marriott travel packages to an airline and my family has in the last several years traveled business class to Hawaii, Europe and Alaska. Marriott is my first choice but my employer has the actual choice, so sometimes it is Hyatt or other hotels.
All things being equal, I chose a Marriott - but if there is a nice trip to Vegas or elsewhere, I chose the best hotel.
If you just want lounge access, Gold is really good enough, but if you want to maximize your points, I would aim for Platinum.
For those that stay lots and lots of nights, PT is a must... maximize the points with the 50% bonus, and the ability to convert 2:1 Marriott pts to United miles is unbelievable... I don't think this is sustainable by Marriott to continue this redemption, but I will make the most of it until that day comes.
Platinum status is a must for the 75+ nights/yr traveler... I have not seen anything even close to comparable in HH, IHG, Starwood, etc. etc. etc. from a travel package redemption standpoint or hotel night redemption standpoint. If I am wrong, I am absolutely receptive to advice... especially catered to the 150+ nights/yr traveler.
Apr 14, 2015, 6:22 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 130
I have been told by several reps that Plats will be allowed cancellation if reservation is made through Marriott. I have successfully done this 3-4 times,
That said I do not think it is a completely 'official' policy as franchise properties have the right to refuse. A call from Marriott directly is certainly helpful in this regard.
Overall I HATE the one day cancel policy. Even with Plat policy I do not like calling hat in hand to ask for a cancellation. As a result on several occasions have held off reserving (checking availability day before or in morning) only to find when I was sure of my lodging needs that there was limited availability.
Also have been caught where rates increased.
As stated Plat is great for addtl. points but if one policy would cause me to leave the fold the one day cancel is it.
That said I do not think it is a completely 'official' policy as franchise properties have the right to refuse. A call from Marriott directly is certainly helpful in this regard.
Overall I HATE the one day cancel policy. Even with Plat policy I do not like calling hat in hand to ask for a cancellation. As a result on several occasions have held off reserving (checking availability day before or in morning) only to find when I was sure of my lodging needs that there was limited availability.
Also have been caught where rates increased.
As stated Plat is great for addtl. points but if one policy would cause me to leave the fold the one day cancel is it.
Apr 14, 2015, 6:59 am
#33
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
At least Marriott has this un-official Plat exemption for the 1-day cancellation policy. I don't think Hilton or Starwood do that for their top level elites.
Apr 14, 2015, 3:52 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 130
The problem is most of Marriott's big competitors have done the same thing (or have even more draconian cancellation policies.)
At least Marriott has this un-official Plat exemption for the 1-day cancellation policy. I don't think Hilton or Starwood do that for their top level elites.
At least Marriott has this un-official Plat exemption for the 1-day cancellation policy. I don't think Hilton or Starwood do that for their top level elites.
Left Hilton primarily because of diminished value of points even though in general I like their props as good or better than Marriott.
Gold Hilton through CC is too easy also.
Apr 14, 2015, 6:17 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
Quote:
Originally Posted by shoelessj
As stated Plat is great for addtl. points but if one policy would cause me to leave the fold the one day cancel is it.
The problem is most of Marriott's big competitors have done the same thing (or have even more draconian cancellation policies.)
At least Marriott has this un-official Plat exemption for the 1-day cancellation policy. I don't think Hilton or Starwood do that for their top level elites.
Originally Posted by shoelessj
As stated Plat is great for addtl. points but if one policy would cause me to leave the fold the one day cancel is it.
The problem is most of Marriott's big competitors have done the same thing (or have even more draconian cancellation policies.)
At least Marriott has this un-official Plat exemption for the 1-day cancellation policy. I don't think Hilton or Starwood do that for their top level elites.
Apr 15, 2015, 10:38 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
For the one-day cancel, I just move the reservation to sometime in the distant future, confirm, then immediately cancel. It's worked so far.
Apr 15, 2015, 10:45 am
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,565
All chains' elite lines have granted me a free after-6PM cancel for one reason or another over the years. It required a phone call, usually my explaining some unusual circumstance that impacted my travels (weather, etc.), and a response that it was a "courtesy" as a thank you for my loyalty.
I don't doubt that it still works for Plats/Diamonds in the "new" world where same-day is the new 6PM.
If it were a systematic ability to cancel same-day from the app without explanation, that'd be a Plat benefit that would be highly interesting to me.
I don't doubt that it still works for Plats/Diamonds in the "new" world where same-day is the new 6PM.
If it were a systematic ability to cancel same-day from the app without explanation, that'd be a Plat benefit that would be highly interesting to me.
Jul 19, 2015, 10:48 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
So I screwed up and booked the Marriott Downtown Manhattan Wed-Sat instead of Thurs-Sun. I realized this Thursday morning. Talked with the hotel and they rebooked me, waived the fee and basically told me "You're platinum. You can pretty much do whatever."
Stunned the crap out of me. Makes me value my Platinum status, even after I earn lifetime this year. The more I look at SPG and see you can't get lifetime SPG 75, the less appealing it looks to me.
Stunned the crap out of me. Makes me value my Platinum status, even after I earn lifetime this year. The more I look at SPG and see you can't get lifetime SPG 75, the less appealing it looks to me.
Jul 20, 2015, 12:06 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
Gained my Plat status from business travel within the US. At the properties I stay in (RI, FFI) it doesn't make any difference really. There's usually just one room category in the first place and breakfast is included as well.
Reservation guarantee: The only time I actually needed that it turned out to be entirely useless, as the hotel had been granted some sort of "special relief" for the days in question. There was no convention or anything in town, they were just fully booked for "no identifiable reason" (quoting the GM here, a few days later). You don't need a "guarantee" for when there are rooms available. You need it, when there are no rooms available - which is precisely the time it's not honored.
Where the benefits really make a tangible difference is in Asia. I have been upgraded at every single property in several countries here (JW, Renaissance, Marriott brands). Plus, the lounges at those places have very little to do with most in the US of the same brands - lots of food and free drinks, including a completely open bar.
Earn your points in the US, they'll pay off in Asia @:-)
Reservation guarantee: The only time I actually needed that it turned out to be entirely useless, as the hotel had been granted some sort of "special relief" for the days in question. There was no convention or anything in town, they were just fully booked for "no identifiable reason" (quoting the GM here, a few days later). You don't need a "guarantee" for when there are rooms available. You need it, when there are no rooms available - which is precisely the time it's not honored.
Where the benefits really make a tangible difference is in Asia. I have been upgraded at every single property in several countries here (JW, Renaissance, Marriott brands). Plus, the lounges at those places have very little to do with most in the US of the same brands - lots of food and free drinks, including a completely open bar.
Earn your points in the US, they'll pay off in Asia @:-)
Jul 20, 2015, 2:24 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Where the benefits really make a tangible difference is in Asia. I have been upgraded at every single property in several countries here (JW, Renaissance, Marriott brands). Plus, the lounges at those places have very little to do with most in the US of the same brands - lots of food and free drinks, including a completely open bar.
Earn your points in the US, they'll pay off in Asia @:-)
Now I don't go to Seoul as often. But I have been treated really well at JW in Beijing and Shanghai. At JW Shanghai Tomorrow Square, I always got a room upgrade to a corner room or junior suite. At JW Beijing (Jian Guo Road), they typically put me on the exec floor (rarely an upgrade to a suite thought) and gave me a free bottle of red wine.
So the PL status is worth more in Asia (especially in China) than anywhere else. If you only travel in the US, Gold status is good enough which gives you access to the lounge (which you can get if you are a UA Gold or above.)
Jul 20, 2015, 5:53 am
#42
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
This is actually one of the benefits I like how Marriott does it better than the other hotel chains. The hotel doesn't directly control this benefit. If they don't get the waiver, then the online tool will allow a Plat to get a room, the hotel can't stop it. The only "control" they have is to apply for that "waiver" from corp. And corp will not give it to them just because they are "full".
Jul 20, 2015, 1:44 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
My travel has gone down a bit recently, and I have also been trying out some other hotels than my usual. When I returned to my normal Marriott after not staying there for three months, I went to my room to find a nice basket of cheese, crackers, and fruit, as well as two bottled waters on ice. I was unsure if this was a random perk for being Platinum, or if this was triggered by my absence from the hotel for the past several months. (Or maybe even them looking and seeing that I've been staying at other Marriott properties in the area during that absence?)
Jul 20, 2015, 2:34 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Reservation guarantee: The only time I actually needed that it turned out to be entirely useless, as the hotel had been granted some sort of "special relief" for the days in question. There was no convention or anything in town, they were just fully booked for "no identifiable reason" (quoting the GM here, a few days later). You don't need a "guarantee" for when there are rooms available. You need it, when there are no rooms available - which is precisely the time it's not honored.
Cheers,
Genevaflyer
Jul 20, 2015, 4:56 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
I have had the opposite reaction. For me I only really car about benefits on vacation travel and there it has been great. Upgrade from garden view to ocean view. Suites. At one hotel the manager came out to escort me personally to my villa etc...
Add in the Platinum override which is nice when you are meeting with a customer and no being stuck in the burbs because the downtown hotel was sold out.
Add in the Platinum override which is nice when you are meeting with a customer and no being stuck in the burbs because the downtown hotel was sold out.