Originally Posted by
DEN ConsultMonkey
Is your idea of elevated service having the FD say "thank you for being an ambassador member"? Pretty sure that this is where service stops for me.
Haha, no, I honestly could care less about the FD recognizing me. It's nice to hear at check-in to know they know my status, but I've always found the recognition to come in other ways that actually means something (to me).
At the RC Coconut Grove for example, the parking valet on my arrival knew my first name as soon as I gave him my last name; clearly, I had come up as a VIP at the morning meeting! I then walked in to check in and they didn't even mention my Ambassador (or even Platinum) status. Of course, I also had been pre-upgraded several days before from an entry level room to the 3rd best suite on property; clearly, I was being recognized. Then that morning before I even flew from California, I noticed I had been upgraded again to the 2nd best suite on property.
Where are you staying? That is impressive, considering I am 0/33 on the year.
I know you asked this of someone else, but my 14 nights thus far have been at the RC Coconut Grove, St Regis Bahia Beach, Courtyard Irvine, Marriott Irvine, and SLS Beverly Hills.
I have yet to see a property go out of their way to treat me differently than ANY other customer, be it a non-bonvoy member, gold or titanium. I truly can not identify one differentiation from platinum/titanium status.
It is of interest to me that those of us who seem to report wonderful Ambassador treatment also seem to identify the hotels at which we stay. Those who don't report positive Ambassador treatment do not ever seem to identify the hotels at which you stay.
This is crazy to me, given my experience with my ambassador. I travel regularly, so over and above is not critical on business stays. With that being said, I have received the room I booked 33/33 nights this year. I dont even know what I would do if I saw the interior of a suite at a Bonvoy property! =)
For your 33 nights this year, if can ask, what were the hotels? Were by chance they business centric hotels over weeknight stays? How long were your typical stays?
Also, if your hotels are at higher occupancy, chances obviously are slimmer that you would get a suite upgrade. That wouldn't be Marriott playing any games at all but just a reality of occupancy. Always tough to tell from the descriptions shared here.
If your hotel stays are longer, it's understandably less likely that a suite upgrade will be available for the entire duration of your stay.
Finally, if your hotels don't have many suites in the first place--as is true most often (but not always) with the non-luxury hotel brands--then the upgrade pool may may include only a few or no suites. In my experience, this tends to also be a significant factor.
Request: Weekend stay with my family at property with lots of suites. Indicated that it was a special occasion for the family, and that we were hoping for as much space as possible. Also noted that we would be traveling for considerable amount of time and that we would appreciate if we could get in the room early so that our little one could nap. Applied SNA. My ambassador assured me that she contacted the hotel and they would see what they could do about a room, and noted that we would be arriving early.
Result: Arrived at property to check in early. Was told that early check in was not possible and that room would be ready well after check in time. Was told that there had been no correspondence with ambassador. Received a room with broken glass on the floor and not suitable for children.
What was the hotel if we can ask?
It is worth noting that SNAs are processed independent of our Ambassadors. Ambassadors have no control over their success. But for the record, my SNAs cleared at the St Regis Bahia Beach for 5 nights with no contact from my Ambassador other than to request an even higher suite category if possible. The hotel was sold out, so I only got the SNA specific garden suite and nothing more.
Early check in is executed by the hotel. I think you'll discover the success or failure of that has much more to do with the specific hotel (and how well managed and run it might be) and almost nothing to do with your Ambassador. Or mine!
Request: Took the in laws on vacation with the family. Requested connecting rooms. Ambassador confirmed connecting rooms and upgrade request on her behalf.
Result: Tried to check in at check in time. Rooms were not ready until 30 & 40 mins after check in time. Property denied ever being contacted by Ambassador. Did not receive connecting rooms. Reached out to ambassador and general ambassador line. Did not hear back until after stay was completed.
What was the hotel if we can ask?
I wouldn't say 30 of 40 min after check out time would be totally unreasonable, even if violates the technical terms. Certainly, I would hope for better. But this also can depend on the quality of the hotel. But it's also happened to me, most recently at the St Regis Atlanta last May--where I had to wait several hours for the suite I was guaranteed.
Request: Help identify properties that would be suitable for quick vacation for myself and wife. Desperately in need of a nice vacation and looking for places with good Ambassador recognition and not a base level room on points.
Result: Ambassador sent a list of Bonvoy properties at requested destination.
I think you and I have different expectations for what an Ambassador can and should do for us in such a scenario. We all have the directories available for hotels that might interest us. I've never asked my Ambassador to behave like a travel agent and suggest properties to me. Considering a significant proportion of the new portfolio is also unknown to most Ambassadors, I think you may have expected too much.
I am honestly at a loss. I do not see any incremental benefits after 50 nights. SNA's are almost NEVER getting confirmed, this remains true for all members (no preferential treatment for ambassadors), and ambassadors can not confirm in advance. I care about breakfast benefit only when I am on vacation, yet most true vacation properties play games. Resort fees on award stays... For all of the evangelists, what am I missing here? Is it that easy to get a kick a** ambassador? Does bonvoy really consider this to be a benefit that people will dedicate additional spend to? Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to ask for a new Ambassador? Lurkers? Please, someone, anyone convince me that Hyatt or a combo of Hyatt and Hilton are not a better alternative.
I think your choice of hotels may have more to do with your challenges than anything to do with your Ambassador.