Dec 4, 2018, 10:44 am
Last edit by: HHQX888
Ambassador Service general email address: [email protected]
Ambassador Service general phone line (USA): (866) 924-9885
Europe: +353-21-4861 222
USA: +1-866-924-9885
Asia : +86-20-38157156
Ambassador Service general phone line (USA): (866) 924-9885
Europe: +353-21-4861 222
USA: +1-866-924-9885
Asia : +86-20-38157156
Marriott Bonvoy ‘Ambassador Elite’ Level : experiences (2020 and earlier)
Nov 8, 2018, 2:25 pm
#1171
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
This, however, is a thread about ambassador experiences -- not the level of property -- and perhaps something to do with elite recognition as a PPE generally. I've stayed at three LC properties since 8/1 -- the Grande Bretagne in Athens, the US Grant in SD, and the Park in Buenos Aires. None recognized me as anything other than a Plat. The US Grant upgraded me to a well-furnished 350 square foot suite with a room divider when I checked in. The Park upgraded me to a nicer floor even though I'm a repeat guest and the hotel was obviously empty. The Grande Bretagne kept me in the lowest tier room even though the hotel was full of cruise passengers and didn't want to give me a 4 PM. The Grande Bretagne was the only one I had my ambassador contact and they specifically noted that when I checked. They were busy ... its August in Greece so I sort of understand but ... in a hotel full of cruise passengers I'm surprised there wasn't something better than the lowest tier room.
In contrast, I've stayed at an FI, a TP, and a CY since mid-October (among several other places). The FI and CY upgraded me to suites before I arrived. All three greeted me as a PPE. The FI and CY gave me little baskets and a card. The TP FD apologized on not upgrading me without any discussion of an upgrade because they were completely sold out (every other place in town was sold out which was how I ended up there.)
Except for the Grande Bretagne, my ambassador had no involvement. And obviously, the LC had better hard product and a better breakfast but from any objective standard, the FI, TP, and CY had better soft product and recognition. Additionally, the LC's either grudgingly complied with program benefits or didn't. The FI and CY exceeded program benefits and all three seemed to embrace the program.
Which doesn't mean you don't have a great ambassador who helps when you call him/her. That's a good thing.
)
I would be surprised if anyone is bothered with you staying mostly in luxurious hotels. That would be ridiculous. I believe it's your inability to understand that even those spending the same or more than you are unimpressed with this service. Your posts also seem to indicate that those not spending as much as you are not worthy of this benefit. Now I can see how that would bother someone. You seem to have a great Ambassador who goes the extra distance for you but the majority of us have average Ambassadors who don't make this benefit worth striving for.
I would be surprised if anyone is bothered with you staying mostly in luxurious hotels. That would be ridiculous. I believe it's your inability to understand that even those spending the same or more than you are unimpressed with this service. Your posts also seem to indicate that those not spending as much as you are not worthy of this benefit. Now I can see how that would bother someone. You seem to have a great Ambassador who goes the extra distance for you but the majority of us have average Ambassadors who don't make this benefit worth striving for.
So this doesn’t technically belong in the Ambassador thread but when I read reports of so many who bemoan the lack of Elite recognition I am very confused.
I am not surprised by the stellar recognition I receive as a long term LTPPE with Ambassador Status. For many years SPG and now Marriott has treated me very well. But just this morning I had a discussion with my son (a newly minted PPE) about his recent experiences at Marriott properties.
Our son travels quite a bit for work and just this week had stays at the Seattle Airport Marriott and the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. At both hotels the FDC warmly welcomed him as a Platinum Premier and surprised him with upgrades to multi room suites.
I am not surprised by the stellar recognition I receive as a long term LTPPE with Ambassador Status. For many years SPG and now Marriott has treated me very well. But just this morning I had a discussion with my son (a newly minted PPE) about his recent experiences at Marriott properties.
Our son travels quite a bit for work and just this week had stays at the Seattle Airport Marriott and the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. At both hotels the FDC warmly welcomed him as a Platinum Premier and surprised him with upgrades to multi room suites.
And congratulations for your son!!!!
Bragging or not, highlighting fantastic stay after fantastic stay--along with glowing reviews of how your Ambassador set it up--kind of proves the point, no? I had an Ambassador for ~3 years give or take, and I had to practically beg for requests to be made and overemphasize that it was for a birthday/anniversary/whatever. It was such an effort that I didn't even bother otherwise. And that says nothing for the musical chairs of having a new one assigned as they seemed to turn over so often. Maybe you're just leaving those parts out here?
Anyway, as I've said before: there was a huge gap between how SPG advertised the Ambassador program and how it was actually executed for the vast majority of those who got the service.
Anyway, as I've said before: there was a huge gap between how SPG advertised the Ambassador program and how it was actually executed for the vast majority of those who got the service.
Personally, I'm not having the communication problems others have described with their ambassadors in Wichita, Boston, and Austin but certainly not getting the same treatment as BHR. Then again, I'm circulating from city to city without calling my ambassador.
Nov 8, 2018, 2:30 pm
#1172
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,103
Nov 8, 2018, 2:42 pm
#1173
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,714
That’s how it used to work, but Marriott abolished that. The Ambassadors don’t seem to have been very well briefed, so you might need to explain it to them.
Nov 8, 2018, 2:50 pm
#1174
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,103
Yup. This pretty much summarizes my ambassador experience. Having to explain basic things to him. And that's why I rarely, if ever, use him.
Nov 10, 2018, 6:53 am
#1175
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 31
Anyone have an ambassador named Peter? Is he good?
Nov 10, 2018, 2:02 pm
#1176
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Nov 10, 2018, 2:33 pm
#1177
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I caution everyone to be very careful if and when publicly sharing Ambassador names—even when complimenting or trying to reward them. You unwittingly might lead others to try to get those same Ambassadors reassigned as their own, putting unanticipated pressure on your own Ambassador and other good Ambassadors.
In fact, I encourage everyone to avoid disclosing Ambassdor names at all. Do so only privately if at all.
There’s a reason no one has ever heard me publicly identify my amazing Ambasssdor.
In fact, I encourage everyone to avoid disclosing Ambassdor names at all. Do so only privately if at all.
There’s a reason no one has ever heard me publicly identify my amazing Ambasssdor.
Nov 10, 2018, 5:46 pm
#1178
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I totally agree Bill.
Your comment actually reminded me of a Flyertalk thread from 12 years ago- back when “personal SPG concierges” were a thing. This was obviously pre Ambassador but it worked much the same way. I had an amazing rep who went out of his way to make our stays special. He worked with a small group of Platinums as a personal rep (maybe 30?) while today’s overworked Ambassadors have many 100s. We posted their names back then but without extensions or email addresses it didn’t mean much since you couldn’t request someone by name. I can totally see the Ambassador line getting flooded with requests for the top Ambassadors.
The BEST SPG Platinum Concierge
Your comment actually reminded me of a Flyertalk thread from 12 years ago- back when “personal SPG concierges” were a thing. This was obviously pre Ambassador but it worked much the same way. I had an amazing rep who went out of his way to make our stays special. He worked with a small group of Platinums as a personal rep (maybe 30?) while today’s overworked Ambassadors have many 100s. We posted their names back then but without extensions or email addresses it didn’t mean much since you couldn’t request someone by name. I can totally see the Ambassador line getting flooded with requests for the top Ambassadors.
The BEST SPG Platinum Concierge
Nov 10, 2018, 6:04 pm
#1179
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: toronto
Posts: 914
I just crossed the $20,000 mark this week, and my profile on the website shows I am now Ambassador level till Jan 2020. Do they send any specific emails out, or assign an ambassador once crossing the threshold?
Nov 10, 2018, 6:08 pm
#1180
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
Not sure how it works post 8/18 but earlier this year I got this email:
WE'RE THRILLED TO WELCOME YOU TO AN EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT: SPG AMBASSADOR SERVICE.
You take travel to a whole new level. Reaching 100 eligible nights in a calendar year is a momentous occasion — one that deserves a fitting reward: the SPG® ambassador service. It's the most individualized benefit available through the SPG program, and it can be what you want it to be. You'll have 24/7 access to the ambassador team, including a personal SPG ambassador — your primary point of contact no matter where you are in the world.
Just tell us what you need — from preferences to restaurant reservations and car transfers — we'll work to make it happen.
Start using the SPG ambassador service immediately by contacting our global support team at [email protected] or visit spg.com/ambassador. Over the next week, your personal SPG ambassador will be assigned and will reach out to you directly. We're always here to help you, around the clock and around the world.
This is, of course, in addition to all the Platinum-level benefits and SPG Nights Benefits you've already earned, including: • Upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in1• Platinum welcome gift• Complimentary in-room Internet access• Flexible check-in times with Your24™• 4 Starpoints® per eligible U.S. dollar spent, plus 2 Starpoints for every US$3 of eligible group spend on meetings and events — up to 40,000 Starpoints per event.
Enjoy the unprecedented level of service that comes with the SPG 100 Nights Benefit — you've earned it through February 29, 2020. It's been our privilege to serve you during your many nights with
Nov 10, 2018, 7:22 pm
#1181
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Nov 10, 2018, 10:21 pm
#1182
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I wouldn't count on getting the email. I only received one after calling, 2 1/2 months after August 18. My colleague, who unlike me never complains about anything, still hasn't been contacted.
Nov 11, 2018, 3:24 am
#1183
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Muscat/Doha/Manchester
Programs: Oman Air Gold, Qatar Airways Platinum, Marriott Ambassador, HH Diamond, GHA Black, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 432
Mine too ages as well so dont hold your breath and when it eventually does come expect very little!
Nov 11, 2018, 10:21 am
#1184
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I waited about seven weeks for an email from my Ambassador after qualifying based on 100 nights and $20,000 spend.
Nov 11, 2018, 10:48 am
#1185
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
Did anyone receive the generic “Welcome Email” post 8/18?