Originally Posted by
laxmillenial
I am someone who does not have any relationship with any property management and I'd wager that most of us are in that boat. You're special!
I cannot speak for Hilton, but I promise you Globalist (in my experience) is stars and stripes better than Marriott Ambassador. Marriott's Ambassador program is a joke. My Hyatt Ambassador is more responsive, more friendly, and actually responds to emails...I can't say the same for my Marriott Ambassador or even emails emailed to the Ambassador email alias. I'd like to think I'm not demanding anything; if I have a great stay, I ask them to pass my feedback to the property team; if I have a poor stay, I ask that they acknowledge I had a poor stay and to pass my feedback to the property team. I do not ask for points, handouts, or any sort of mandatory/extra upgrades. The emails go unanswered, unless of course they want to email me to "Offer this amazing (sarcasm) promotion during COVID-19 to get me back into Marriott properties".
I caveat with the fact that based on my perusing of Flyertalk that I understand there are good ambassadors and bad ambassadors with every program and I must've gotten a great Hyatt one, and a poor Marriott one. I'm still on my 1st Hyatt one and my 4th Marriott one.
From a rule-based perspective, I will say the following: It's a hassle to get Marriott simply to follow the rules of the Ambassador Program. They'll make any sort of excuse to deny any benefit (and again, I'm not standing at the hotel counters asking for free parking or something). I'm simply asking them to follow the definition of how they've defined the Ambassador benefits (Titanium...). From a rule-based perspective for Hyatt Globalist, I don't have to do anything. They follow the rules 100% of the time and 75% of the time, go above and beyond. I don't have to say a word. I don't have to stay in the same property for 50+ nights a year (although I do), I don't have to cultivate a relationship with the front desk staff or the managers. They just go above and beyond the rules/benefits that they've stated and it's a delight.
All Ambassador programs are a joke and that includes Hyatt as well as Amex Centurion. Just forget about them.
The benefits that count to me are: Option to check in early when needed, Late check-out, Suite Upgrade, Breakfast, Lounge access. I can't remember either of this being denied to me by any hotel I have top tier status with in the last 5 years. If a front desk agent is difficult just ask for a manager or the GM.
95% of my stays (160 nights per year) are in Asia and Europe so that might help but that isn't a program issue. More likely a problem with the property and region where you stay frequently. I said it before and I say it again, those who stay at a Sheraton LAX, Hampton Inn Hempstead, Marriott Detroit or Hyatt Regency DFW won't get much in terms of benefits no matter what the program rules promise you. The run of the mill business traveler doesn't like to hear it but that's simply reality.
I get my value at brands like Conrad, W, Luxury Collection, Park Hyatt, Andaz maybe even a Grand Hyatt in good city locations with high headline rates. These properties are able to provide elite benefits that are really worth hard cash. And that's based on the very basic benefits. Can't remember when an Ambassador/Concierge ever did something noteworthy except messing up my reservation on several occasions. YMMV