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)
Dec 29, 2018, 5:23 pm
#1681
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
Except $20,000 really isn't that high of a threshold if you're staying exclusively in Singapore, Hong Kong, Washington, New York, London, Boston, and San Francisco. Heck, 1 week at the Prince de Galles, Luxury Collection in Paris would put you at nearly 50% of the spending threshold.
It is, however, a high threshold for Africa, India, most of southeast Asia outside Singapore and Hong Kong, and most of the United States.
It is, however, a high threshold for Africa, India, most of southeast Asia outside Singapore and Hong Kong, and most of the United States.
No matter how you look at it , in my opinion , $20,000 is substantial- whether it’s the 40 night guest averaging $500 per night or the 100 night guest at $200 per night . I would definitely be disappointed if I had 100 nights but not the spend and were “demoted” BUT I would be more disappointed if I was the 40 night / $20,000 guest and only got Gold (which is the way it currently is with Marriott) . A 100 night guest is going to be at least Titanium in the new program and have substantial benefits. The 40 night and $20,000 guest will be Gold ,which is fairly useless .
Dec 29, 2018, 5:31 pm
#1682
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Isn’t Hilton Diamond just $12,000?
Dec 29, 2018, 5:33 pm
#1683
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
i do wonder how $20,000 became the “Magic” dollar amount . It does seem to be the industry standard as that number will also get you top tier at Hilton and Hyatt . However , Hilton and Hyatt don’t have a fixed number of nights attached - spend the $20,000 and you are top tier .
No matter how you look at it , in my opinion , $20,000 is substantial- whether it’s the 40 night guest averaging $500 per night or the 100 night guest at $200 per night . I would definitely be disappointed if I had 100 nights but not the spend and were “demoted” BUT I would be more disappointed if I was the 40 night / $20,000 guest and only got Gold (which is the way it currently is with Marriott) . A 100 night guest is going to be at least Titanium in the new program and have substantial benefits. The 40 night and $20,000 guest will be Gold ,which is fairly useless .
But if the 40 night/$20000 guest lives in the US and has a Marriott/SPG credit card he/she will be Platinum at least.
I have wondered why Marriott doesn’t offer a spend route to status a la Hyatt. It does seem to me those guests are valuable too.
Dec 29, 2018, 6:06 pm
#1684
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Much less in the USA. Hilton Diamond is as easy as having the Hilton Aspire Amex, which provides automatic Diamond status. It comes with a $450 annual fee.
For Hyatt Globalist, spending $140K on the Hyatt card earns the 60 elite nights to qualify.
For Hyatt Globalist, spending $140K on the Hyatt card earns the 60 elite nights to qualify.
Dec 29, 2018, 6:23 pm
#1685
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Dec 29, 2018, 7:30 pm
#1686
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
There are always more elites at the end of the year in any program.
I have no idea how many people have 100 nights but I'd guess its in the 20k range.
As of today, the ambassador program serves (a) SPG members who had 100 nights in 2017, (b) legacy Marriott ambassador members, (c) SPG members who hit 100 nights in 2018, and (d) other members who hit 100 nights and 20k spend in 2018.
On February 1, 2019, some of the SPG members who had 100 nights in 2017 and some of the legacy Marriott ambassador members will no longer qualify. So, it will be a smaller group.
On February 1, 2020, it will be even smaller -- particularly considering there are a number of legacy SPG members on this thread reporting that they have 100 nights in SPG properties but didn't hit the 20k spend level.
As for the 20k level, Marriott always had a level -- only it wasn't published -- that they used for selection of Platinum Premier status under the old program. It certainly required several years of 100+ nights and probably a spend level around 20k. And, the spend level is certainly being pushed by the airlines.
I have no idea how many people have 100 nights but I'd guess its in the 20k range.
As of today, the ambassador program serves (a) SPG members who had 100 nights in 2017, (b) legacy Marriott ambassador members, (c) SPG members who hit 100 nights in 2018, and (d) other members who hit 100 nights and 20k spend in 2018.
On February 1, 2019, some of the SPG members who had 100 nights in 2017 and some of the legacy Marriott ambassador members will no longer qualify. So, it will be a smaller group.
On February 1, 2020, it will be even smaller -- particularly considering there are a number of legacy SPG members on this thread reporting that they have 100 nights in SPG properties but didn't hit the 20k spend level.
As for the 20k level, Marriott always had a level -- only it wasn't published -- that they used for selection of Platinum Premier status under the old program. It certainly required several years of 100+ nights and probably a spend level around 20k. And, the spend level is certainly being pushed by the airlines.
Dec 29, 2018, 8:20 pm
#1687
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
PdG can be had for $500 or so in certain weeks, so one week wouldn't necessarily get you there
I highly doubt these "40 night / $20K" people exist w/Marriott
I highly doubt these "40 night / $20K" people exist w/Marriott
Dec 29, 2018, 11:00 pm
#1688
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
i do wonder how $20,000 became the “Magic” dollar amount . It does seem to be the industry standard as that number will also get you top tier at Hilton and Hyatt . However , Hilton and Hyatt don’t have a fixed number of nights attached - spend the $20,000 and you are top tier .
No matter how you look at it , in my opinion , $20,000 is substantial- whether it’s the 40 night guest averaging $500 per night or the 100 night guest at $200 per night . I would definitely be disappointed if I had 100 nights but not the spend and were “demoted” BUT I would be more disappointed if I was the 40 night / $20,000 guest and only got Gold (which is the way it currently is with Marriott) . A 100 night guest is going to be at least Titanium in the new program and have substantial benefits. The 40 night and $20,000 guest will be Gold ,which is fairly useless .
MR will surely invite someone who spend significantly higher than $20k but didnt have the neccesary 100 nights
But person with high nighty average ..... I'm curious what will MR do ...
Dec 30, 2018, 6:03 am
#1689
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
And other weeks, a room can be closer to $900. My suite was $1800 per night. That's over $12,000 for a week, before any food and beverage spending.
Dec 30, 2018, 6:31 am
#1690
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
Using your example , let’s say you do 2 weeks a year in that suite and spend $24,000 before other spend (and very few sporadic nights elsewhere ) - are you suggesting that you would be content with Gold status ? That spend would give you top tier and the attendant benefits with competitors . I truly believe that any property owner /manager loves having guests that pay top dollar for premium rooms and would be more than willing to offer a breakfast benefit and 4pm late checkout for anyone spending $1800 per night . In reality , they don’t have to offer you either as a Gold who has the spend but not the nights .
Dec 30, 2018, 6:42 am
#1691
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Using your example , let’s say you do 2 weeks a year in that suite and spend $24,000 before other spend (and very few sporadic nights elsewhere ) - are you suggesting that you would be content with Gold status ? That spend would give you top tier and the attendant benefits with competitors . I truly believe that any property owner /manager loves having guests that pay top dollar for premium rooms and would be more than willing to offer a breakfast benefit and 4pm late checkout for anyone spending $1800 per night . In reality , they don’t have to offer you either as a Gold who has the spend but not the nights .
Last edited by hockeyinsider; Dec 30, 2018 at 7:59 am Reason: typo
Dec 30, 2018, 6:54 am
#1692
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
I think most people would use cash for expensive suites don't really care about elite status for the same reasons you mentioned. The same goes for international business-class or international first-class. I've met filthy rich people, corporate execs and other travelers who have no idea how many miles or points they have or anything about the program.
1. Access to the top tier of customer service support with an Ambassador
2. 48 hour reservation guarantee
3. Your 24
4. 4 pm late checkout
these benefits can hold great value for the corporate traveler and leisure traveler alike
it’s not necessarily the points , breakfast, or upgrades that matter to a certain traveler profile
Dec 30, 2018, 6:57 am
#1693
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
Apparently other loyalty programs like hyatt hilton and accor (and even ihg) are using point based qualification as alternative to nights or stays
If MR only gave those high spending customers gold, I guess its better for them to join other program.
With 20k spending they can earn globalist in Hyatt, or Platinum in Accor + Hilton diamond (maybe need to add few more k more for these 2 combined)
If MR only gave those high spending customers gold, I guess its better for them to join other program.
With 20k spending they can earn globalist in Hyatt, or Platinum in Accor + Hilton diamond (maybe need to add few more k more for these 2 combined)
Dec 30, 2018, 7:01 am
#1694
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
Dec 30, 2018, 7:05 am
#1695
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
i agree that many guests paying for premium accommodations are not worried about free breakfast . However , it’s the other benefits of top tier that hold value for travelers .
1. Access to the top tier of customer service support with an Ambassador
2. 48 hour reservation guarantee
3. Your 24
4. 4 pm late checkout
these benefits can hold great value for the corporate traveler and leisure traveler alike
it’s not necessarily the points , breakfast, or upgrades that matter to a certain traveler profile
Ambassador service when it execute properly is great ...
Late check out also is a nice feature that very convenient to have.
Room upgrade .... another nice perks to have but not really important especially if client already book higher level suite
And with breakfast, usually suite level accomodation include club/lounge access that provide breakfast anyway
Points ... honestly I treat them as side benefit
Most likely i use mine for airline miles