I don’t think there is any issue or overcrowding by Ambassador guests....at least at those brand properties where it would even make a difference. I’m sorry to say that Ambassador overflow at a Courtyard isn’t the same as at a Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, W, Edition, Luxury Collection, or St Regis or Ritz-Carlton. The brands at which we stay matter because some brands are far more likely to have more suites proportionally to their total room count (which makes a huge difference with suite upgrades).

The quality of the actual Ambassador matters FAR LESS now than it ever has or ever did with even SPG. Marriott Bonvoy’s elevation of Ambassador as a discrete status level that is how clearly visible and obvious to each property in the portfolio now puts the onus far more on the hotel to recognize Ambassador guests and treat them well—without ever needing any contact from the Ambassador as in the past.

Now Ambassadors can focus more on resolving IT issues, booking special stays, making special requests for special occasion stays, as the like. But those Ambassador actions are less the norm in the general course of our weekly stays.

The execution of elite treatment is ALWAYS contingent on the hotel property itself...for every elite loyalty program. I’m sorry to say that this also depends greatly on the brands at which one stays. If you’re staying at select service brands not known for personalized service, like all midscale and extended stay brands, your expectation for personalized service and for Ambassador or any better elite treatment should be lower than when staying at premium or luxury brands. This has less to do with status and more about better hotels delivering better experiences. That’s always been true for hotels.

There are many who get their panties in a twist when they aren’t recognized at check in as Ambassador elites. They are entitled to their feelings, but I value how I’m treated overall rather more than a FDA identifying my elite status. Some people mistakenly believe that a FDA forgetting to not identify them somehow is reflective of the entire experience at a hotel....and I know that’s hardly the case for me. I’ve not been identified as Ambassador plenty of times...at stays in which I’ve also been pre-upgraded to suites and even specialty suites and treated extremely well. That’s not nothing to me.

At limited service brands, sure. At other better brands, I rather doubt it.

This premise is obviously mistaken in my experience. But if it’s true for yours, then I will be delighted to see you drop to Titanium status and no longer be concerned by such Ambassador overreach. And delighted that you won’t be competing with us for suite upgrades, either. Cheers to you!

And yet, so many of us get such amazing benefits, regardless. Guess you won’t miss anything when you drop down to Titanium...as the Ambassadors remaining will have obvious priority over Titaniums for any suite upgrades and obviously better chances for better treatment too