Cantheplanegofaster?

I always take the points but at some hotels they've asked if I'd like a complimentary drink from the bar in addition to the plat gift.

When I was in Marco Island Resort I took the two free breakfast vouchers and gave to my wife and daughter to use and the love the omelets and eggs Irish. My butt was aleady on the beach while they had breakfast

My guess is most people take the points. I have had clerks ask upfront if I wanted the points or would like to see the arrival gift list.

dsauch

I didnt say they didnt offer points - the card had the choices. I just expected more than two fruits.. I cant remember such a poor gift, just asking forum about their experiences, perhaps this is normal.

ohmark

Truly doesn't sound like much of a gift, but here are some suggestions:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5862514_make...-cocktail.html
http://appleandkiwi.com/

potterew

I used to select a gift, but found that most of the properties give you something that you can walk down the hall and get in the lounge, with the exception of alcohol and ice cream. I just take the points now. I have had a few really nice arrival gifts, but mostly nothing special.

bdschobel

I often arrive after the lounge is closed.

Bruce

sbedelman

First time this has every happened. I checked into the Seattle Waterfront and when I got to the room realized I hadn't been offered the Platinum welcome gift. As I left the hotel a few minutes later to run an errand I mentioned this to someone at the front desk (the person who checked me in wasn't there) and they confirmed that I should get the compensation.

Later back in my room I get a call and the same person tells me I'm not entitled because they have already credited my account with points. I tell her I'd never been offered a choice so how could that be? She had no answer but insisted if points was indicated then that was the end of it.

This seems a pretty strange response. I looked up the rules and it says one has to notify the hotel before checking out to be eligible for compensation. But if what this person says is true all the hotel has to do is offer the gift when you call (or say that points were already chosen) and they are off the hook.

Its not the hundred bucks but I'd sure like to understand what good is the Marriott guarantee if a hotel can forget about the welcome gift when you arrive (ie are welcomed) if they never have to pay it?

Is this really how the guarantee is supposed to work? If so under what circumstances would one be entitled to compensation?

lexdevil

No, it's not. They must offer you the choice at check in. Push a bit harder; you should get the cash.

sspicer

Ask them to produce the card that you would have signed to indicate your choice of gift -- that should do the trick. Otherwise escalate it to Platinum customer support while you're still there.

sbedelman

I did ask that. They said they don't use the card at their location.

That sounded fishy. I've always been presented with the card but since I couldn't say for certain that some locations don't use them there wasn't a way I could think of to challenge the assertion.

joshua362

I've collected it a few times over the years, the very first time was actually offered by the FD clerk at checkout when I asked for the points because the delivery never came (never heard of the rule at that point).

I always figured if it wasn't offered, no big deal if you remember and remind them to collect it later. But if you order it and it never comes, which does happen quite a lot, well, collect away....

tmeyer

I had this a number of times.

It might take a second inquiry, but I always got the cash.
Usually I would mention it in the next morning only, as I had Hotels where the card is in the room or a representative calls to the room within a few minutes after check-in.

When I mention the missing arrival gift in the morning in most cases the first reaction was - oh, then I give you the points...

Getting the cash usually requires the Front office manager to proceed it, but after mentioning the cash guarantee it always worked.

Mr. Vker

I had this happen one time. I went back to the desk with the intention of actually telling them they forgot to ask about my arrival gift, and then selecting it. I did not want the cash via the guarantee. (This was the next morning. IIRC.)

They told me "I SELECTED THE POINTS". As soon as I was being lied to, I wanted the cash. (Granted the front desk person i was speaking to wasnt the one that checked me in.) I asked them to produce the card. They couldnt. I asked them if they would like to see my Marriott history. I NEVER take the points. The truth was they forgot to ask and now I want the $$$. I received it without further difficulty. I also told them if it had been dealt with as a simple oversight, I would have been happy to get the gift that night.

Shanye2233

I am currently checked in and didnt receive my welcome
Gift. I have not left the hotel yet but was hoping to approach the hotel and askfor compensation before I check out.

I was going to dine in the restaurant the buffet is $59.95 per person and was going to ask if I could have two buffets instead of the $100 which I am entitled to. I'm feeling the buffet doesn't cost them anymore and it's not $100 out of pocket it would work out.

If the hotel says I have chosen to take the points I will
Be arguing to see the welcome
Card were I took that option.

Amicus

I didn't get any such card at check in to the Cosmopolitan in LV.

However, I was verbally offered the choice, and took the amenity in lieu of points. Great. The hotel charged me $3 to deliver the platinum amenity.

hhoope01

What was the $3 for? Even tips are supposed to be covered by the amenity. I have never had to pay anything for any amenity.