Originally Posted by
RogerD408
Sorry, but "bookable" in not in any of the T&Cs. And it's been pointed out many times what is on the website that we see is not representative of what is available at a property. Only the property's in-house system knows what's available and hasn't been taken out of service or pre-blocked for another guest or otherwise unavailable. There are some "other channels" that actually commit to booking some rooms and the property will set those aside and it's not appropriate for them to use them for otherwise until released by the 3rd party. My take is the use of the term "check-in" is mistakenly used thinking it to be synonymous with arrival (i.e. at the front desk). Keep in mind some of the folks writing the T&Cs might not be the extensive road warriors like some of us and know what really happens to accomplish a stay.
There are far too many documented cases of front desks playing games and lying about room and suite availability to believe a property when it says there is no availability but Marriott's public booking channels show availability. In this case, every single room category and every single suite category was available. The hotel didn't dispute it, either. They merely disputed (1) whether upgrade at the time of check-in was, in fact, check-in or arrival and (2) that they had to provide an upgrade beyond their basic suite, which they give to all elites eligible for a suite upgrade. I know plenty of properties that only book their suites through their sales office. Because of this the suites aren't upgrade eligible. I don't know another solution than an interpretation that says if Marriott.com has it for booking and it is, in fact, available then it's upgrade eligible.
Marriott writes its terms and conditions for its real customers, the owners and third-party management companies. Don't kid yourself for a second in thinking they really write the terms to favor us.
Originally Posted by
bhrubin
Amen! ^^^
Oh, the literalists who simply cannot accept the obvious based on common sense.
Take you common sense. I'll take the terms and conditions, which are clear notwithstanding any past practice or interpretations. The fact is Marriott deliberately removed "select" or "standard" suites verbiage from the language of the upgrade terms earlier this year. This is pretty damn clear:
"Platinum Elite Members receive a complimentary upgrade to the best available room subject to availability for the entire length of stay at the time of check-in. Complimentary upgrade includes suites, rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities or rooms on Executive Floors." [emphasis added]
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Unless there's evidence to the contrary, why not apply the comon sense principle and expect an upgrade to an available standard suite while hoping to *sometimes* get an above and beyond upgrade to something better such as a clearly higher sategory suite or even a specialty suite?
Marriott has chosen to update its terms and conditions to deliberately remove the "select" or "standard" suite qualifier.
Originally Posted by
bhrubin
I think you’re drawing a big (and false) conclusion based on a terribly limited sample size. Just because it seems to not have happened in one instance for you or another doesn’t make that true in all or most instances. The PdG has a long history of upgrading Plats into available suites and also with especially recognizing Ambassador Plats.
I’m sorry to say, but it seems to me like some legacy Marriott Platinums, suddenly gifted with the possibility of suite upgrades at suddenly available properly amazing luxury hotels—that previously were nothing more than a pipe dream—may be looking the gift horse in the mouth.
Not really. The hotel manager's own words to my ambassador was that they don't distinguish between platinums, platinum premiers and ambassadors. Period. I think all elites get taken care of well here, availability allowing. The issue is, however, they don't think they have to upgrade beyond their entry-level suite and that the upgrade is done at arrival as opposed to the time of check-in. The time of check-in makes a big difference, if I'm checking in today for a stay tomorrow and you, with equal status, check-in tomorrow. All things being equal, I should get the upgrade based on the terms and conditions because my time of check-in was earlier than yours.