I've found that desk agents at many Marriott family hotels are trained to say, "Welcome back, Mr. Bimmer" without regard to whether I've ever stayed at that particular hotel before. I interrupted the first time or two that happened and asked why they thought I was a repeat guest when in fact it was my first time ever at the property. They explained it was their training and meant only that I was welcome back to the Marriott family of hotels.

I think the only time I have ever been genuinely recognized as a repeat hotel customer was at the JW Marriott Shenzhen. I stayed there for a week during their first month or two of operation and then returned several more times during the following 18 months. Even so, it was never a front desk employee who recognized and greeted me; it would be someone like the baggage porter whose assistance I very politely declined to accept.