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)
Mar 30, 2019, 8:16 pm
#2296
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Ex-MSP
Programs: UA: Plat, Marriott: Annual Ambassador, Lifetime Grandfather
Posts: 293
Member Rate Advance Purchase, prepay in full, non-refundable, no changes, see Rate details
So I'm still chalking it up as a win for the Ambassador team.
-mvitale
Mar 31, 2019, 7:45 am
#2297
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I'm starting to feel like things have improved since the Feb rename just in terms of status recognition. I feel like hotels now finally know of our status, and treat us differently as a result. I've been told my the GM of a specific property that they have a room category up to which they'll upgrade Ambassadors complimentary, and it's far beyond what's necessary and required by the terms of the program. (Grand Oceanfront Beach Villas at the Langkawi RC).
I don't have enough Marriott stays since then to call it empirical evidence, so I will report back again in a month when I should have a better idea if this will stick long-term.
On another note: I also recently switched Ambassador and just got my new one a few days ago. I am already liking her better than my previous one, on which I had completely given up by now. He was a nice guy, but he was mostly useless and as of late he just stopped responding to email. I kept him on on several occasions after talking to management about my issues, and I don't know if he heard about it, or whether he got even more busy… but I was going weeks with emails unanswered and had enough. @bhrubin told me I should either ask for a new Ambassador or stop complaining, and I finally did it.
I don't have enough Marriott stays since then to call it empirical evidence, so I will report back again in a month when I should have a better idea if this will stick long-term.
On another note: I also recently switched Ambassador and just got my new one a few days ago. I am already liking her better than my previous one, on which I had completely given up by now. He was a nice guy, but he was mostly useless and as of late he just stopped responding to email. I kept him on on several occasions after talking to management about my issues, and I don't know if he heard about it, or whether he got even more busy… but I was going weeks with emails unanswered and had enough. @bhrubin told me I should either ask for a new Ambassador or stop complaining, and I finally did it.
Mar 31, 2019, 8:50 am
#2298
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The terms and conditions don't expressly limit upgrades to a given room category or suite category, unless Marriott International has unpublished rules that we don't get to see.
Mar 31, 2019, 8:57 am
#2299
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: 100,417
It's also different when the hotel would otherwise be overbooked. If someone has to be given the presidential suite to avoid having to walk someone, most hotels will try to prioritize who will get that above and beyond upgrade rather than giving the prime real estate (which might have unique/valuable furnishings and artwork) to some random person.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:07 am
#2300
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Not saying they do. But, the fact that Ambassadors get by default upgraded to a premium suite category can be an intangible benefit that is unique to the level. i.e. a Titanium or Platinum wouldn't get the same assignment — they might get an above and beyond assignment to a lesser room.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:12 am
#2301
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: 100,417
The rules regarding suite upgrades are obviously different at RC for Ambs and Tits, but otherwise have there been reports of Tits getting better or above and beyond upgrades compared to the upgrades that Plats are getting?
Mar 31, 2019, 9:14 am
#2302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Member Rate Advance Purchase, prepay in full, non-refundable if cancelled more than 1 day after booking, no changes, see Rate details
Mar 31, 2019, 9:16 am
#2303
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Of course, a good property should give ambassadors the highest preference for suite upgrades. One would hope that Ritz-Carlton properties, being almost exclusively managed by Marriott International, would have a better execution of elite status benefits, including upgrades, than third-party managed properties.
With that said, there is nothing in the the terms and conditions that changes the rules or alters the application of the rules with respect to upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:23 am
#2304
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: 100,417
IIRC only Ambs and Tits are eligible for suite upgrades at RC according to the new combined Bonvoy program rules.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:24 am
#2305
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: 100,417
In which way are the rules different? There is one, unified program for most of Marriott's brands, Ritz-Carlton included.
Of course, a good property should give ambassadors the highest preference for suite upgrades. One would hope that Ritz-Carlton properties, being almost exclusively managed by Marriott International, would have a better execution of elite status benefits, including upgrades, than third-party managed properties.
With that said, there is nothing in the the terms and conditions that changes the rules or alters the application of the rules with respect to upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Of course, a good property should give ambassadors the highest preference for suite upgrades. One would hope that Ritz-Carlton properties, being almost exclusively managed by Marriott International, would have a better execution of elite status benefits, including upgrades, than third-party managed properties.
With that said, there is nothing in the the terms and conditions that changes the rules or alters the application of the rules with respect to upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties.
My post just above is a response to this post.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:30 am
#2306
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
In which way are the rules different? There is one, unified program for most of Marriott's brands, Ritz-Carlton included.
Of course, a good property should give ambassadors the highest preference for suite upgrades. One would hope that Ritz-Carlton properties, being almost exclusively managed by Marriott International, would have a better execution of elite status benefits, including upgrades, than third-party managed properties.
With that said, there is nothing in the the terms and conditions that changes the rules or alters the application of the rules with respect to upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Of course, a good property should give ambassadors the highest preference for suite upgrades. One would hope that Ritz-Carlton properties, being almost exclusively managed by Marriott International, would have a better execution of elite status benefits, including upgrades, than third-party managed properties.
With that said, there is nothing in the the terms and conditions that changes the rules or alters the application of the rules with respect to upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Thus far, I’ve absolutely found Ritz-Carlton treating me as an Ambassador far better than was reported by most Marriott Rewards Plats, Plat Premiers, and even “concierge/Ambassador” elites prior to the Bonvoy integration. I have been upgraded at almos every Ritz-Carlton property at which I’ve stayed, including twice to what normally would be considered a specialty suite that isn’t included in the SOP suite upgrade pools. The only times I wasn’t upgraded to a suite, those hotels were near or at full occupancy.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:35 am
#2307
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
If I recall correctly, only guests with legacy platinum elite status (the equivelent of titanium today) were, technically speaking under the terms and conditions, eligible for suite upgrades at Ritz-Carlton in the now-defunct Rewards program.
Apr 1, 2019, 6:50 am
#2308
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Maybe I was wrong...
I just had the most horrendous Marriott stay, and I blame it entirely on my Ambassador and the hotel’s lack of recognition of that status. Everything has gone awry: the air con didn’t work, the hotel screwed up my rate, there was no water in the room, I wasn’t given an upgrade despite an obvious availability of multiple entry level suites on Marriott.com and the app, the food/beverage was disappointing and overpriced on top of it all.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.
Apr 1, 2019, 6:52 am
#2309
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: 100,417
I just had the most horrendous Marriott stay, and I blame it entirely on my Ambassador and the hotel’s lack of recognition of that status. Everything has gone awry: the air con didn’t work, the hotel screwed up my rate, there was no water in the room, I wasn’t given an upgrade despite an obvious availability of multiple entry level suites on Marriott.com and the app, the food/beverage was disappointing and overpriced on top of it all.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.
Your wonderful Ambassador messed up? Shocking.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Apr 1, 2019 at 7:10 am
Apr 1, 2019, 7:08 am
#2310
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I just had the most horrendous Marriott stay, and I blame it entirely on my Ambassador and the hotel’s lack of recognition of that status. Everything has gone awry: the air con didn’t work, the hotel screwed up my rate, there was no water in the room, I wasn’t given an upgrade despite an obvious availability of multiple entry level suites on Marriott.com and the app, the food/beverage was disappointing and overpriced on top of it all.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.
My Ambassador has promised me this would be taken care of, and clearly that went nowhere. My group had similarly poor experiences for their stay.
Sigh. Maybe it’s time to look at Hilton or Hyatt.