Originally Posted by
calitequilasippergirl
You all are rather entertaining ...... this wonderful sense of 'entitlement'.
What you seem to be forgetting is that MW is a voluntary program on Marriott's behalf. They may terminate the program at ANYTIME. You are being offered something for free. If you don't like it, move to another Hotel Chain. If enough revenue customers move, they will get the point.
Remember, we are all in business. Well, at least I am. At the simplist level, they are entitled to do whatever they want within the limits of the law to make money.
They certainly are. And they certainly are entitled to change the rules at any time, in which case I'm sure lots of MR members would re-evaluate their loyalty.
BUT Marriott HAS NOT changed the rules....at least not formally. Their Elite Benefits still claim "when you check in, we'll upgrade your room whenever we can at no additional charge. Suites not included." Many here have cited that this is not happening.
Their rules also guarantee lounge access and/or free continental breakfast. Of course, beware of the asterisk that says "at participating hotels, resorts excluded". Still, many say they are not getting this benefit.
Their own rules guarantee a room 48 hours out for Platinum, and guarantee your requested bedding choice. They also guarantee Priority late checkout. I can tell you from my own personal experience in the past 4 weeks that this is not always happening.
Continuing on...they guarantee free local phone and free fax. Some have stated that this is not happening.
They offer Elite certificates which, according to their rules, are excluded by most of the more in-demand properties (and, up until recently, were mailed by pony express, apparently, as they had less than half their expiry time left). If you do stay at a hotel that is not excluded, many report problems with untrained front desk staff who are unfamiliar with the EEO certs.
They offer Bonus Buck rates, and THEIR rules say they have 3 or 4 month longevity. MANY here, including myself, have gotten Bonus Bucks with less than 3 WEEKS longevity left.
They offer award rooms (apparently not at all hotels these days) but the standard award seems to have become the parking lot/construction site view and any other view including Garden is considered an upgrade and requires more certs (=more points).
So, it would seem that Marriott itself is the one who is either stretching the truth, self-modifying the rules, or flat out chiseling away at the benefits which they themselves still tout on their website as being reasons for frequent travelers to remain loyal. And I think that's the the operative word....LOYALTY. They want it, and we are willing to give it. But they must be held to follow their own rules.
And just for the record, I am one who rarely complains about Marriott and I am far from one who feels "entitled".
Just looking for consistency and compliance.