Originally Posted by
mfirst
yes.... this is CY in the US
I have stayed at this one property a lot - and probably why I reach Amb.... they already have been very nice and helpful (I was Tit when I first started coming) and it has reached the point in which I know everyone (front desk, bistro, service crew, etc) and they know me - so that was already very nice to feel welcome and friendly.
I guess, along the lines of 'expectations' - I have elite status with United and one of the things that I like about their program is that the amount you travel appears to match the benefits they offer - meaning the more you travel, the more you benefit from the higher levels (sure, everyone would want GS/1k - but if you only travel Silver, then those benefits don't really mean or help much) - it just seems I am having a hard time finding value or use for some of the benefits that I have been picking up as I have been moving up the Bonvoy ranks..... I am sure we can call come up with ideas to make the program better for us as individuals based upon our own travel needs - but the needs/benefits of higher level status are probably different for someone staying 100 nights at a CY vs higher end property and in the US vs out-side the US......
nevertheless, I put in a request for s reservation issue for an upcoming stay - emailed both the manager and "my" Ambassador, so will see what they come up with......
-m
What I would say first and foremost is that regardless of status a property will put regular guests ahead of any status they may hold. In this regard you have probably been receiving the highest level of recognition this property is willing to give already, albeit by the sounds of it not that much.
More over however I will add that even in the very early days of Ambassador any real recognition comes from hotels and brands that actually have service levels to talk about, which CY simply don't. Staff ate not trained in that way and the rates paid do not facilitate any extra attention, it's simply not the business model.
Ambassador these days is not what it was and the hotels are setup for failure by Marriott as they let owners get away with anything, so the front desk staff have no incentive to try. Hopefully things will improve, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I have renewed status once again, almost by double thr requirements, a total accident I just found a couple of excellent properties I really enjoyed staying at, so despite my best efforts not to requallify I failed, which actually annoys me as I feel it validates Marriotts total lack if commitment to what it advertises.