Originally Posted by rahmanbar
I don't recall precisely where I first read it, but someone opined that the reason that *wood treated its elites more consistently than Marriott with regards to upgrading was due to Starwood owning and managing its hotels as compared to Marriott where the majority are owned by others and can be self-managed or via a contract by Marriottl.
.
I am Platinum with both Marriott and Starwood. I have found that Starwood definately upgrades more consistently than Marriott.
In fact, after 6 years as a Marriott Platinum, I can think of only 1 instance where I was upgraded without having to press the issue. (Casa Magna - Cancun: using points). The remaining few times I was upgraded, it was not easy convincing the front desk staff to do so. I found myself calling the Platinum desk just prior to checking in to confirm suite availability, just so I could corner the front desk staff when they told me suites weren't available.
This is the primary reason Marriott has lost most of my business. I don't feel like going through a phone call to the Platinum desk and a 15-20 minute check-in process everytime I enter a hotel, to 'persuade' the staff to upgrade me. I think Marriott should definately strike the upgrade verbiage in their policy, because they certainly don't honor it without a fight.