As I am looking to use the last of my gift certificates I am finding many Marriott properties to be pricing themselves at least 20% higher this year.Many are a little more-I have not found any with lower prices than last year.I think the price jump in the limited service properties to be absolutely jawdropping!$220 for a Courtyard in Palm Springs next weekend!Last year this same property was $175.
So I am definately feeling squeezed.
My solution is simple.I am simply not going to pay those rates!I am already planning not to requalify for Gold next year as I am putting my $$$ into a chain(or two)where I can qualify for top tier for the same $$$ that it would take to requalify for mid-tier(Gold)in MR.

Cyberdad wrote"I can only speak for myself, but I think its safe to say that the majority of participants in this forum would agree with me that Marriott is still the best in the business. We understand that the company is not perfect, but the hope is that by expressing our concerns, corrections might be made.

As for me, personally, I feel that Marriott consistently offers a better product and a better price-value relationship by far than any competitor. On top of that....recent major points devealuations notwithstanding....the MR program also is tops in terms of perks and benefits offered. "
I am one of the ones who strongly disagre with this statement.I have seen such a rapid loss of respect on Marriotts part towards its customer base that I did not vote Marriott in any single catagory of the freddies.In the 2006 voting I voted them a "10"in almost every single hotel catagory.
I hope for the sake of the Marriott Loyalist that the program does improve-quickly!But the lack of respect,the disinterest from the head office regarding the Marriotts rewards program,the decline in the benifits themselves,and the woeful lack of training in so many areas have driven this once loyal Marriott supporter into the arms of other chains.