I have noticed that there seems to be a great deal of inconsistency across properties regarding the availability of Wall Street Journals.

I stay primarily at Full-service Marriotts and a Courtyards. At both of those properties, the little envelope that you get that holds your room key indicates that you have requested "delivery of USA Today" and "reservation of the Wall Street Journal"

To me, that's pretty clear. USA Today should be outside my door, and WSJ, if I want it, needs to be available.

That said, I've experienced the following:

1) Full-Service and Courtyard properties that have run out of WSJ's because they didn't have enough (one CY property admitted to me that they only get about 12 copies per day.)

2) One Courtyard that told me the only copy they had was a "house" copy for the lounge area, and that I wasn't entitled to a WSJ because it was a CY. They gave me the house copy after I showed them the fine print on the room key envelope.

3) Front desk clerks at full-service Marriotts that give me a puzzled look when I walk up to the front desk and ask them where to get my WSJ. "Oh, they didn't deliver it?" "No, I'm not staying on the concierge floor...you're supposed to have a copy up here for me." "Oh."

This seems like something that should be relatively simple, yet it's amazing that there's such inconsistency. As long as Marriott continues to print that language on the room key envelope, then I'm entitled to my WSJ, and I will continue to complain to management at every property that does not deliver on this.

Does anyone have any information or insight on these inconsistencies? It seems to me that if a property is flying the Marriott flag, they need to be following Marriott procedures. Chris, if you have anything to add, I'd be interested in any info that you can provide. Thanks!