sammyindc

Agree with the last part. Have these 3 choices would have satisfied most people and really made us feel appreciated as elites.

Regarding the amenity cards, some properties have their own/different ones. For example JW Marriott Ihilani had their own amenity card and offered items unique to Hawaii (pineapple, fruit baskets,...). So there is a possibility that some properties will still have their own thing. The Cosmopolitan never had the pre-printed amenity card but the letter instead so maybe these will stay.

ehallison

+1

That's our experience exactly. My teens (future loyal Marriott customers?) LOVE getting their own cokes & snack plate delivered. This will be a big disappointment all around. I just can't believe cokes & cheese & crackers cost that much, relative to the price being paid for stay at a FS hotel.

USirritated

I wish that you would not have asked them about the guarantee, as in don't give them any bright new ideas! The ideas they have come up with are bad enough already! (Not to be totally negative about these issues, the change in arrival gift is not good, but the 7 day breakfast change is pretty good.)

bldr1k

Marriott just sent me an email asking why I've stayed so few nights this year. I went from 100+ nights last year to almost none this year because of their changes.

If everyone on this board would stop staying at Marriott for a year or two it might have some impact.

If a company treats me well I give them all my business. That isn't Marriott at the moment.

USirritated

I agree with you, I am generally one of the most loyal people on the planet, and have been with Marriott for more than twenty years. However, for some of us, such as myself, who no longer travel for business, but have reached LT Plat with Marriott, the options are slim to none for switching, because I will probably not be staying enough to qualify (or keep, if I status matched) for equivalent to Gold or Plat with a different hotel company. That means kind of being stuck with Marriott.

dan1431

Correct this property has never issued coupons on the weekends as far as I know.

I did not have the presence of mind to ask him this question, but when I had inquired about coupons for Elites in the past (approx 3 years ago), this same GM (actually met him because I was inquiring about coupons) had said that some weekends GLD/PLTs are the majority of his guests and that handing out coupons would eat into his revenues and the Franchisee would not like that.

Good point, he seemed to indicate that the Elite Amenity would the Continental Breakfast buffet as found on the menu (essentially everything but the hot options).

One other thing I just remembered, he said that it was suggested (I do not remember where though I would have to guess probably Marriott corp.) that the Food/Beverage manager or somebody at the restaurant should pick a few appetizers that along with a glass of wine/cocktail would be equal $10 so that the Elites felt they were getting something for the $10.

He seemed to indicate to me that was going to be status quo at this property but time will tell.

Dan

DawgmanOH

Does anyone know (and apologies if this has been answered) but can the $10 be applied towards honor bar drinks from the club lounge? Or is it only good at restaurant/room service?

tbm13

I find this strange. Doesn't opening the lounge on weekends cost more than simply giving Gold/Platinum members free breakfast in the restaurant?

rylan

I'm pretty bummed that they'd be removing the other food/drink amenity. Usually I take the points, however when traveling with my fiance for a weekend we like to take one of the other choices like the fruit/cheese plate or nuts/cheese depending on what the property offers. Certain properties we visit give a really nice offering.

BKKLEE

you can still get your fruit/cheese provided its no more then $10, but if it is a few bucks more then the difference would be on your account, but will the props actually go that far or will some just stay with the old system going above and beyond the bare minimum (inc. those props that previously provided both points and amenity) - I guess time will tell..........

SkiAdcock

I seriously doubt my asking is the first time the Plat guarantee will have crossed their mind. Here's my take (guess) on it - they'll say it applies if we're not asked at all (similar to current policy), but doesn't if it's not deducted from folio because they can correct it at check-out.

1. Understand the reasoning, especially if a lot of weekend guests are G/Ps. I know one GM a few years ago said he'd keep the lounge open on weekends as long as it made revenue-sense, but if it didn't he'd shut it down again. He ended up tweaking it - increasing brekkie but decreasing evening offerings because too much did impact his restaurant in the evening.

2. Cont'l can be what he makes of it - whether it matches the menu or something else. If he switches to the lounge, he can match current cont'l or reduce the offerings.

3. Given most hotels charge $8-10 for a glass of wine & similar for appetizers, I don't see how he can put together a package of both that is $10, but good on him if he thinks he can do it.

The final details haven't been announced, but unless they specifically say r/rs I'd try to argue the honor bar.

Not necessarily, especially if it's only open for breakfast. One staff person (maybe 2) that can be pulled from the restaurant, limited hours, and limited - ie, cont'l - offerings.

Cheers.

joshua362

A small saving grace MIGHT be if they allowed the $10 to be used at the gift shop where $10 might buy 3 over priced power/zone bars or other decent snacks. Somehow I doubt this though...

I know I must be in the vast minority, but even though financially comfortable now after years of hard work, I just cannot bring myself to overpay hotel prices for F&B unless someone else is paying the tab. And even then it took me years to get over that guilt.

So on personal stays, I'm generally bringing in my own alcohol and going off-site for food, snacks and beverages rather than paying hugely inflated prices plus service charges and gratuities.

So they can dangle the $10 credit at me but its not going to change my habits.

A tiny glimmer of hope regarding the weekend breakfasts, maybe some will open the lounges on the weekend? Even if limited hours, at least there will be an opportunity to grab sodas and waters...

sdsearch

Well, while Marriott isn't among them*, there are at least two hotel programs (IHG Priority Club and Hilton HHonors) where you can get second-level status, year after year, just by holding a credit card (for those that live in the US, at least). So you're $49/year away (offset by an annual free nigh cert, not restricted to categories at this point) from being Plat in Priorty Club (about to be renamed, btw, though elite perks tend to be up to the individual hotel only), and $95/year away from being Gold (free brekkie & free internet worldwide) in Hilton HHonors.

(*While Marriot's credit card does give you Marriott status, it only gives you Silver, plus 15 out of 50 nights toward Gold. So to me that's not really comparable to full second-tier status just for having the card.)

SkiAdcock

Got some info from Michelle on Insiders:

"The new Platinum arrival gift policy applies to US & Canada only.

The Platinum arrival guarantee still exists. The credit is not a folio credit - but a coupon that can be used in the hotel outlets"

Cheers.

Armani

Based on my experiences, you may be able to get an appetizer for about $10, but it won't be delivered to your room. The split of wine will also cost an additional $22 + tip and delivery charge. The $10 F&B credit will basically cover the standard room service delivery charge in most FS hotels.