I find that I receive the gift card at FS and REN's 100% of the time but its the actual delivery that varies. And I waffle about collecting the $100, sometimes yes but more often not.

Case in point, last night at the BHM FS, I checked in about 6pm to a very giggly clerk who recognized me from days before. I asked for red wine and ice cream to be delivered at 9pm since we were doing an early dinner then bed since I had an 7:30am flight to catch.

Waiting, waiting and debating to call especially since trying to get $100 at 5:30am seemed impossible and wrong. And I did want to get to sleep early. So I call at 9:30pm and they promise to see what went wrong and promise a follow-up call. 10:30pm they call back asking me what it was that I wanted in the first place. 11:00pm its now delivered and I have a few spoons of the ice cream before trying to fall asleep for another hour+. Let's say I'm groggy today because the sleep didn't go as planned.

But they treated me nice this stay and last so I have a real problem enforcing the guarantee.

Similarly, this morning, the CL was scheduled to open at 6:30am per the sign. Made a very difficult decision to wait, hit the CL exactly at 6:30am for some light take out (hoping its up and going) then RACE to the airport for a 7:30am departure.

Got there at exactly 6:30am, place well stocked and the nicest attendant helping us out. She proudly told us that she opened early today at 6:12am and likes to do that every Friday AM for people catching early flights. Had we only knew! Made the flight with moments to spare.

Finally, got to give props to the FD Supervisor Monday night who checked us in at 10:50pm after being air delayed 4+ hours en route. Gave me free internet then called the kitchen telling them to remain open for room service - then took our orders right at the front desk! His co-worker looked on in disbelief as if she would never ask them to do that. He said too bad, its their job to do so.

Sorry this ended up being a mini trip report but this is what's so frustrating about Marriott's to me, all levels of service from exceptional to poor, sometimes within the same property. It really boils down to the individual.