Discussion topic
 

If given the opportunity any information and encouragement about re-establishing the relationship with American Airlines.
Thanks!

I'll repost what I had way back when:

Overall, please let the execs know that I really, REALLY like the consistency of the brands. I was Platinum at SPG and Diamond at HH and I have no reason to leave at all.

That said, here are some points that would assist at making this even better:

(1) I cannot possibly agree more with the poster above who mentioned having food available for Platinums as the amenity at FS MI and Renaissance no matter what time the check in is. There have been many times I have checked in past midnight and would LOVE to have the snacks/drinks as the amenity but not able to do so. It shouldn't be too hard; just a fridge with the items. Please, please, please.

(2) I love the concept of guaranteed bedding but, to me, it would be nice, if there was an option of "don't care but want best room". Basically, as a single business traveler, I would rather have a better room vs my bedding preference. However, I am forced to choose a bed type and lose out on some of the better room upgrades due to what I chose as my guaranteed bedding (and I definitely understand why they need to do that because of the Platinum guarantee). It would be nice to opt out and just get the best possible room at times.

(3) As mentioned above, please throw us poor Platinums a bone on the weekends with breakfasts or lounges. All year, we tell our family how great it is to stay at Marriotts. And then we go on vacation to a resort, or over a long weekend, and it falls flat. I know it is petty, but it would be nice to even get coupons for the weekend breakfasts or ANYTHING AT ALL at a resort. Again, JMHO.

Thanks for listening!

Wotcha Sharon, long time no speak, hope you're well, afraid life got in the way for me over the last 6 months or so. Anyroad my two 'penneth...

The Good...

That bed, May not be new but I had cause to stay at a Hilton last weekend and it reminded me of a major reason I stay at Marriotts. Was with the in-laws and the last time we'd spent the weekend together was at a Marriott Country Club. This was a Hilton equivalent, but we all agreed it fell down against the Marriott, top of the list was the Marriott bed...
Lifetime membership, not much of a draw during the first few years, just beginning to draw me in now..
Guaranteed use of Exec Lounge, not part of the PC or Hilton offering.
Worldwide free internet for Gold/PLT, very good move, and appreciated.
EEO, but see below
48 hour over-ride Very reassuring and useful

Room for improvement

EEO's At best only a few participants outside USA, this time none. Why are we Europeans second class citizens here? We pay money too... Or don't we deodorize enough?
Credit Card Please ditch the "Sonny can you spare £20billion?" Halifax bank that administers the uninspiring UK card. It pales by comparison to the many US offers. Why are we Europeans second class citizens here? We pay money too... Or don't we deodorize enough?
Breakfasts Throw us a bone at weekends, eh?
Resorts A pet whinge on this forum, but a rule so capricious, especially where properties change back and forth generates so much ill-will, surely something can be done...

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for reaching out to us again.

I do agree with what's been said already about recognition on weekends when lounges are closed. At a mininum, having the lounge accessible for water would be great.

The addition of free internet worldwide has been a good improvement.

My two peeves at the moment would be:

- The earnings:
- Why not treat the RIs and others equally and earn 10 points per dollar? Why would a Fairfield Inn earn you more points than a Residence Inn?
- Overall, for the non-full service brands, why limit earning to room rate only? Is my room service at a Courtyard in Paris less valuable than at a Marriott in the US mainland? Not cost wise!

- Lifetime status:
- The lowering of the points threshold was welcomed by many. However, there are also the high earners (equaling high spend with Marriott) who face the night threshold. Could a mixed qualification system be considered ... based on an average of points and nights?

That's it for me ... overall, I'm still a happy Marriott customer (sitting in a Residence Inn for 90 nights right now), but there is room for improvement as always.

I'd be happy to provide more if Marriott is interested in my views some day, so let them know I'm available for input if ever wanted.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

The thing that keeps me coming in the door are the MR point redemption values, specifically the packages for all inclusive that they currently have in the Caribbean. Knowing I can take the Mrs to a resort somewhere warm and not have to pay for room, food and beverages is a tremendous plus! Any expansion of this offering (perhaps out of the Caribbean) would be a big ^ in my book.

Additionally, keeping the lifetime qualifications is a big plus. I won't be traveling forever and this program directly results in more nights at Marriott. I've chosen definite worse Marriott properties over *wood to keep that counter ticking.

On the improve list, PLEASE get back with AA I really miss that partnership!. Being more proactive in upgrades and providing priority to each elite level would be nice.

Thanks SidAdcock!

Sharon,

1st as others have said thanks for doing this.

1. I hit Life Time PL a long time ago and am actually closer to 2000 nights. Does Marriott plan anything for 2x PL lifetime.

2. Can the web site be designed to show us what other potential rates are available that are legal to save time adding them. For example 2 for breakfast, WKD, M11 or M12, allow us to put AAA or other legal fares into our profile. Maybe this has been discussed

Thanks

Henry

Sharon,

I really miss the Samplers, primarily the European Sampler. For those who don't recall them, they were a 7 free nights award, but in denominations of 2, 2, and 3 nights. You could mix and match (all 7 nights at the same property, or 3 one place, 2 another, and 2 at yet a third property, etc.), didn't have to be taken on 7 consecutive nights (could do 2 this week, and 2 in a couple weeks). Great for someone travelling in Europe, or for someone in Europe who was up for short vacations.

I sure wish they'd bring those back.

(And, of course, that they'd hook up with AA again.)

Thanks.

Thanks for the input. BTW - I'm in crazy busy mode w/ a trade show coming up, but when I return I'll have 2 weeks before the FT Awards so will compile the list of your comments/suggestions until the day before the awards. So keep posting until the 27th of April.

Cheers.

Bumping up. One week to add your input. I'll compile the eve of the 27th & take w/ me on the 28th.

Cheers.

Thanks for doing this. I've been a Marriott Reward member for at least 15 years and have been Platinum for a good number of those. I have reached lifetime Platinum and have been Platinum Premier for the last few years. Overall, I feel as though I am treated very well. The few changes I would like to see are:

Points for incidentals at Courtyard properties. These properties have changed and many now offer full service restaurants. I would be more likely to stay at Courtyards and eat more at these properties if I were able to get points. I think it is a win/win for Marriott to do this.

Also with Courtyards - they should offer free breakfast to at least Platinum Rewards members. Hilton Diamond members get free breakfast at Hilton Garden Inns. Again, I would more more business to Courtyards if breakfast was given as a perk.

Finally, I wish resort properties were not exempt from offering a lot of elite benefits. I travel a lot for business and spend a lot of time and money with Marriott. I talk with my family about the lounges and excellent treatment I get when I travel for business. But when we travel for vacation to resort properties, my status gets me very little. At the least, resorts should have lounges and/or offer breakfast for all Platinum members.

Last chance to provide input. I'll be compiling responses this evening. Leave tomorrow morning.

Cheers.

Why was I not invited to this?

Tell them I would like better coffee... even if I have to pay for it.

It would be great if the Ts&Cs could be modified to be crystal clear about breakfast when the lounge is closed - with respect to holidays - so there is absolutely no ambiguity. For example (bolding my suggested change):

Assuming you're serious...

Re: your first. The people organizing the Frequent Travel Awards (FT Awards) posted in CommunityBuzz that they had 'x' spots open for Flyertalkers & to register (there was a fee to cover the food/drink). That's about all the invite that was sent out, so if you had read the thread & registered before all the slots were filled you could have attended. This is actually an industry award event that Flyertalkers have been invited to, although that's not guaranteed every year. And those of us FTers who do attend do so on our own dime, either via paid air/hotel or via awards for either or both.

I'll note the coffee, but obviously it won't be at the top of the list re: what folk would like to see Marriott do ;)

I'll report back on this thread after the awards if I had a chance to chat w/ the Marriott folk attending. If I do meet them, I'll at minimum hand over the list of items provided by you all on this thread.

Cheers.

Just a quick update.

Thanks to severe thunderstorms at LGA & massive flight delays, I (and many others) barely made it to the event. In the mad rush to get there I completely forgot the list in my laptop case back in the hotel room (event was held at Citifield). I did chat for a few minutes with the 2 people Marriott sent to the awards; they're involved w/ the program, but don't think they were high level. So I'm going to send the list to Ed French directly.

Marriott won 8 awards.

Cheers.

Please let us know what he says. Thanks for doing this.