Originally Posted by AlohaFridays
(Post 32844224)
I just hit Ambassador during COVID and I must say it’s useless. I’ve done a few stays so far and there’s been no upgrades in low occupancy resorts, no courtesies, no lounge, no breakfast, and no acknowledgement at all. It’s the same as gold status.
The dedicated bonvoy line and email is a shared support desk and forwards to China at night. They can’t do anything for you and when I asked for an upgrade and some tee times they failed to follow-up. I asked about two or thee times and all the said was, “oh I thought the front desk was going to handle it.” Couldn’t be more disappointed. Don’t push for the status its worthless. Sadly, Marriott has turned its back on the top tier elite guests, who are among their highest spenders. |
I recently had a really positive Ambassador experience. Wanted to add a second night to existing reservation at Ren Carambola (STX), but website and app were only showing availability for a three night minimum. Emailed Ambassador desk, and got a very prompt response that they could confirm me for the second night. Traded several very pleasant emails with an Ambassador based in Canada named Laura. Would be very happy to work with her again.
|
Originally Posted by damnyourefine
(Post 32700574)
This has been my MO since the program merger. There were simply too many service failures from the Ambassador Service that it was easier to just contact hotels directly.
Could you elaborate on what types of things require you to contact the hotels directly? The only thing I ever do if I’m in town is sometimes pop in and ask about upgrades/specific rooms or something before I book. Am I missing some sort of trick?! |
Originally Posted by jjLDNY
(Post 32845523)
I’m about to hit ambassador, and I’ve accepted that I shouldn’t expect anything meaningful. However I see a lot of people say that they ‘contact the hotel directly’ instead.
Could you elaborate on what types of things require you to contact the hotels directly? The only thing I ever do if I’m in town is sometimes pop in and ask about upgrades/specific rooms or something before I book. Am I missing some sort of trick?! |
Originally Posted by damnyourefine
(Post 32845546)
Call the hotel, ask for the front desk, provide your reservation and AMB #, and politely request an upgrade if available. If you’re a repeat guest, a good hotel will treat you better than a first time AMB guest.
(or you're staying at a lousy hotel you shouldn't be staying at so often...) |
Originally Posted by jjLDNY
(Post 32845523)
I’m about to hit ambassador, and I’ve accepted that I shouldn’t expect anything meaningful. However I see a lot of people say that they ‘contact the hotel directly’ instead.
Could you elaborate on what types of things require you to contact the hotels directly? The only thing I ever do if I’m in town is sometimes pop in and ask about upgrades/specific rooms or something before I book. Am I missing some sort of trick?! From requesting upgrades, informing them about special stays, request feather pillows, and even making reservations at local restaurants. At current times where we lose our personal ambassadors and hotels occupancy are low (on some properties) I believe it will be better for each individual hotel to be proactive reaching out the incoming guests by sending out those personalised email from the concierges/butlers. Not just those preformatted welcoming emails sent by unattended mailbox. My recent stays at 3 non Bonvoys properties which don't belong to any loyalty program, or their loyalty programs didn't include personal ambassador manage to reach out to me personally before the stays. Capella Ubud and Raffles Bali butlers sent the emails 1 week before check in to inquiry about any special requirements for the stay. |
Raffles is a higher level hotel than just about anything in the Bonvoy portfolio.
|
Originally Posted by craigthemif
(Post 32845626)
True, but if you're actually a repeat guest, you don't need to do any of the above, because on check in you'll be told "nice to see you again, here's the key for your suite / upgraded room..."
(or you're staying at a lousy hotel you shouldn't be staying at so often...) |
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
(Post 32845659)
Raffles is a higher level hotel than just about anything in the Bonvoy portfolio.
Then again, if St Regises and the likes can take a page of them during this period it can improve the hotels service and the guests experience. The butler/concierges just need to email ambassador members, which should be manageable at current rate. At this time when hotel are competing for limited amount of tourists dollar, they should be more creative and might need to do extra miles to earn that. |
Originally Posted by kaizen7
(Post 32846106)
Can see that easily :D
Then again, if St Regises and the likes can take a page of them during this period it can improve the hotels service and the guests experience. The butler/concierges just need to email ambassador members, which should be manageable at current rate. At this time when hotel are competing for limited amount of tourists dollar, they should be more creative and might need to do extra miles to earn that. |
Many USA hotels are trying to operate at very low staffing levels. Regardless of title, the person who might have been tasked with various aspects of elite relations might have been furloughed and others don't have the time to pick up the slack. GMs set priorities and contacting elites personally in advance of arrival might not be near the top of the list.
|
So.. For those of you Ambs who are being unfaithful.. What are you thinking?
I just hit Amb and will likely spend another 15 or so nights in NY and although I'm usually an advocate of enjoying what you've earned.. NY right now doesn't many many hotels open, and those that are don't have any lounges to take advantage of right now, nor are there any good hotels downtown to get an upgrade from. Any other hotels worth checking out that might have breakfast or something? |
Just made Ambassador for the first time (and during a pandemic, weird year). Often above 100 nights - but actually hit the spend. Enjoyed the mixed messages in my first two emails from Marriott.
Email 1: General marketing email welcoming me to Ambassador, bragging about all of the wonderful benefits I'll now get...including a personal ambassador! Email 2: General welcome email purporting to be from an individual ambassador, letting me know I won't have a personal ambassador but bragging about how all of the general ambassadors are super highly trained and waiting for my email or call (and providing me the general email and phone #). Just enjoying that months after getting rid of personal ambassadors Marriott can't be bothered with changing their automatic emails. Fortunately, thanks to Flyertalk my hopes/expectations aren't high for the program anyway. |
Originally Posted by dcstudent
(Post 32848040)
Fortunately, thanks to Flyertalk my hopes/expectations aren't high for the program anyway.
Guaranteed on-property benefits beyond Titanium are basically nil. This is the biggest disappointment. Spend $20k, and get nothing additional guaranteed. Beyond guaranteed benefits, I don't feel I've gotten anything extra on-property in terms of upgrades or otherwise. Email and phone service has been pretty good. Feels like the Ambassadors are sitting around waiting for emails, and turnaround has been very quick. There's some variation in the quality of the responses; overall though, most Ambassadors have really tried to be helpful. But the second level frustration is that their ability to actually accomplish anything meaningful is hit or miss when it comes to dealing with properties. At the individual property level, I've felt more appreciated as Hyatt Explorist than Marriott Ambassador. That's pretty sad. |
Originally Posted by jjLDNY
(Post 32848017)
So.. For those of you Ambs who are being unfaithful.. What are you thinking?
With my Hilton Diamond being valid until Mar 2022 through their extension I'll likely spend a fair bit of time exploring Hyatt next year - though I'm tempted to still put 60 nights through Hilton to avail the 'gift of Diamond status' benefit. Can't see me doing many Marriott stays. The Westin Dubai and Le Meridien Dubai Airport are the only properties I have been impressed with (with regard to status recognition) and I'm pretty sure that has more to do with me being a regular at those hotels than my actual status. I do have a load of SNAs that need using though, so I'll be sure to use those at some point. |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:04 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.