Originally Posted by
platbrownguy
The compensation is laughably high for some things, like the $100 if they fail to utter the words "would you like points or breakfast." I'm sure there are folks who take their room keys, walk towards the elevators, and then turn back to the front desk to say "aha! gotcha! you didn't offer me points or breakfast, pay me $100" -- but I couldn't do that myself. Instead I just ask "aren't you supposed to offer me a choice of points or breakfast" -- and then if they say no or they say they can't, etc., then I get the manager's card, send an email, and demand the $100 compensation, because now we have an actual problem that's worth fixing. And, to my surprise, I've been successful in claiming it on such occasions (though in most or all, the property has offered 10,000+ points instead, which I have taken -- either because I value the points more than the $100 or because it's a reasonable thing to do).
What I wish they would have is a check-in time guarantee. If the room's not ready at check-in time, they comp you a $100 bar tab per hour until it is, more at a St.R/RC. Rolling in at 4pm and being told to wait is getting old!
I used to be in the group of “aren’t you supposed to offer X” but I’ve been told no every time or “we don’t do that here”. It gets so old when no Marriott wants to honor their guarantee. There’s a couple properties I stay at where I don’t even bother arguing with the desk agent. I’ve got the compensation in the past and will just go straight for the manager. About half the time I let it go. I’ve got about $400-$500. I won’t push my luck but it’s not chump change.