Originally Posted by
Beermonger
Some of the Golds and Plats here make me laugh, it is easy to feel self righteous about the extra amenities they are getting...when their employers are paying for the room (in most cases).
There are lots of little guys like me who travel about 4 times per year on their own dime...and who want to be brand faithful...but Marriott does not recognize this IMHO.
When I travel for pleasure, I usually stay at SPG or IC group. They offer many perks for people who travel less than what it takes to earn perks at Marriott's. I usually get at least gold paying out of pocket for a few short, sometimes weekend only trips a year.
However, For Marriott, there are a lot of people, my self included, who spend 100% of their time away from home and its nice to have these few little extras. I usually travel to heavy business locations, so no upgrades or anything are available. But the Lounge, arrival gift, etc, make it a little easier to be away from home 4-5 days a week working 12+ hour days.
My employer may be paying, but I still go to a lot of Marriott's for personal trips and pay out of pocket. I also feel I earn these perks as I am staying at Marriotts 200+ nights a year. It may not be ideal, but its hard to find any non travel jobs in my trade, especially given the economy. Do you suggest I complain to my employer? And have them to complain to Marriott, if the concierge lounge runs out of food? Since they are paying? Even though, I pay, and in some cases am reimbursed, and in others, a rate is built into what I am paid that is usually lass than I am actually paying? Or would it annoy you if I went up and asked them to refill the eggs myself?