Are you referring to the Marriott Rewards line or the Platninum reservation line?
It appears you are referring to the Rewards line, as an automated "assistant" has been there for a long time. I find that just by saying the word "operator" or "agent" gets me to a human quickly enough so that this is not an issue.

Is there not enough to be thankful for that we must constantly find new things that are not to our particular likings?