After a year of being in the program, I still have no clue what benefits exist. Absolutely worthless to me as a customer. It cannot be good for Marriott margins to employ staff that add no value or generate revenue.

Indeed you have had good success for upgrades as Titanium ^, and I can see how you could argue that you might get better value as Titanium than Ambassador guests spending $20k+, proportionally. It would be interesting to test but unfortunately we'll never know. I would only mention that if someone spends $15k on 75 nights or $30k on 150 nights, if both get exactly the same suite success rate then they got the same "value" proportionally, the Titanium did not get better. Your argument could work if the Titanium is spending less per night on average than the Amb, but not if both have the same average spend. The former is probably what you had in mind because you mentioned that you will reach 100 nights but not the spend requirement.

You and I have not had many overlapping hotels to draw conclusions, but I would note that my upgrade at StR Bora Bora in late 2018 on a 5 night stay was Mt Otemanu view rather than island view, the value of that alone was $400 per night if I rely on rate differences we can regularly find online for these two room types. Not that this single data point is necessarily conclusive but it won't do much to convince me that upgrades as Ambassadors are not only more frequent, but also more generous. Perhaps you might not have valued Mt Otemanu view as $400 * 5 = $2k, but let's say I had been short of Ambassador status previously by $2k ($18k spend) then we could clearly see that I would have been better off spending an extra $2k somewhere because not only I got the better upgrade in Bora Bora but on other stays too. Of course perhaps the room availability might not have been the same when you stayed and when I stayed, making comparisons even more murky but in any event I do not think Titaniums get that upgrade over there. It would be useful to have more common hotels to compare in the same fashion.

You can see in post 2473 higher in this thread my suite upgrade success this year, add to that since then one more at Ren and one more at StR, both in Asia. You have listed some of your successes but not the failures, are you batting close to 100%?

That's vastly overstating it Bill. I'm with you on the footprint issue, and I will say too that I find Hyatts to be bland and not have enough off-brand boutique and luxury options (no real equivalent to the Luxury Collection, and not enough diversity in lifestyle luxury hotels — that is until the recent acquisitions). That said, the benefits of Globalist compare well to Ambassador.

A Hyatt Concierge is basically the same as a Marriott Ambassador. Mine are both about equally useful. On occasion a Marriott Ambassador can help deliver a nice gift from a hotel or secure an upgrade, which the Hyatt concierge isn't as helpful with. Other than that, they're the same.

As far as having the higher Ambassador level with Hyatt… my experience with above-and-beyond upgrades between Hyatt and Starriott are pretty much the same. Globalist is probably as common as Ambassador given the smaller footprint.

On paper, each have a few things they're better at. Starriott has Your24. Hyatt has a more generous breakfast benefit and actually useful upgrade certs (TSUs).

I am lucky to be able to maintain both statuses easily with my levels of travel and so I pick whatever suits my travel destinations best and it works out to 2/3rd Starriott and 1/3rd Hyatt.

Have you booked SLH on hyatt.com and/or will you book SLH on hyatt.com when the rate on hyatt.com is 15% or more than on SLH.com? I have been disappointed to find out that way too many SLH properties do this. SLH is not adding to Hyatt footprint nearly as much as optics would lead you to believe, at least not with the current pricing structure. That would be an easy fix but until it's done my enthusiasm is muted.

Some SLH can be used to redeem points and I am glad it is the case, but for cash bookings it's hit and miss. I draw the line at paying about 10% more when booking on hyatt.com.

Also as you know, I in fact have real Ambassador status, and am on my second Ambassador. My first Ambassador was one of those who was terrible about responding and actually providing service. After being fed up with this for the longest time, someone in your group recommended a new Ambassador to switch to, and I've been far far happier since. The main line gets a faster response, but obviously misses on the personal touch (getting to know you and providing better service as a result). You're lucky to have always had a fantastic Ambassador. I didn't, and it made a material difference in my experience. I'm now part of the lucky group of those who have an Ambassador they like.

If you are in hotels at least 100+60 nights per year like I am since you have dual status, then how many times per year are you in a hotel for a special occasion? Birthday, anniversary, special trip, stay with guests and special room for them and/or birthday or special event for them, etc. This happens maybe 5-6 times per year for me and I will go out of my way each and every time to book it with Marriott because as you pointed out Hyatt will not be nearly as helpful to prepare such stays. So I am not prepared to say both (Amb / Concierge) are equally useful, in fact I see a significant gap between them, specifically for this reason.

When you list it out like that, it certainly sounds better. There are quite a few things that Hyatt does better. The real upgrades is one (though it is lame how some property manage to opt out of it, like the Park Hyatt Maldives), the breakfast, the no resort fees (and marking on awards, though it'd be much better if it wasn't restricted to awards, and the Guest of Honor. Marriott wins on the program's airline transfers, having moments, and having 5th night free on awards.

I switched Ambassador recently… but my previous Ambassador wasn't particularly useful at making a special occasion spacial. The only time it succeeded was at the Nines in Portland when I was taking my girlfriend on a birthday trip. We got balloons, cake, and a bottle of bubbly. That's the only time in 3 years I got anything special organized by my Ambassador, after asking explicitly for a surprise for the girlfriend. Not a peep on birthdays or anything else. Perhaps I'll notice something different with my new Ambassador over the next year.

At the end of the day this is property dependent, and I think depending on the property I'm equally likely to get something special for a special occasion at a good Hyatt vs. Marriott. I certainly wouldn't pick a Marriott over a Hyatt based on an expectation of better special occasion treatment… that hasn't been my experience. I see them as equivalent. The average Hyatt treats me better than the average Marriott, but Marriott has better truly high-end properties (and a whole lot of crap bottom-shelf hotels).

Having diversity of options is the perfect combination. Before a trip, I'll check both Hyatt and Marriott, read the reviews here on elite treatment, and pick Hyatt vs. Marriott at about 1:2 ratio (mostly due to footprint, otherwise it'd be closer to 50/50).

SLH is mostly useless due to this. It's not too different from Design Hotels with Marriott, really, for the same reason. I avoid both brands.

I am still glad the partnership exists for the occasional high-end redemption. I'm particularly keen to stay at the Viceroy Bali, for example.

I did get a Mt. Otemanu view upgrade, perhaps I was upgraded further than the pre-arrival upgrade 3 months prior. You can see my view & Titanium Recognition "gift" here. This was in addition to breakfast as a welcome gift in lieu of points. I did say, "one could argue," not that I was arguing. Different people will value things differently. Personally, if I was $3K short of having an Ambassador, I wouldn't run out to spend $3K to get one as I don't believe the added "value" would be commensurate to the dollars spend. I would be happier spending the $3K on Airfare and enjoying the Titanium benefits I have been getting. My response to you was in relation to your "feeling" that you wouldn't have received similar upgrades as a Titanium. My success on upgrades has been 90% + to at least a Junior Suite and 100% over what has been booked. There have been a few where the upgrade needed a little persuasion at the FD but for the most part, upgrades are proactive pre-arrival. I am now starting to see more and more, "thank you for being Titanium," and a knowledge of the differing Elite Levels. Perhaps that has contributed to my upgrade successes.

Interestingly, I was identified as a Platinum at the Sheraton Grand in Dubai after I was escorted to a "sit down, with beverage service" checked-in in the Lounge. I asked the LDC (Lounge Desk Clerk ;)) about how they address Elites. She advised that they were still getting used to all the new Tiers, knew that Titanium was higher than Platinum but were still using the old SPG "Platinum" terminology to "collectively" refer to Elites as Platinum or Higher.

I have also had full suite upgrades at the Marriott Tokyo, Courtyard Hong Kong (with breakfast in the Restaurant, which is above the stated benefit for a Courtyard with a lounge) and the Renaissance in Seoul this year.

With my early check-in and upgrade to a Junior Suite at the Sydney Marriott at Circular Quay, I had originally booked two nights and had already check-in while still in the US, but due to a Mechanical Issue with my QF flight, I was delayed 24 hours on my departure. I sent the hotel a chat message explaining that I wouldn't be arriving for the first night. Their response was, no problem, we will shorten your stay to one night and did so without penalty. I had already passed the cancelation date.

Not all properties (St. Regis Aspen ;)) would do that. If I choose a property that I feel is "skirting around" their "obligation" (and there has been a few) to the Bonvoy Program. I don't walk away from the program as a whole, I just don't patronize those proerties. With 6700+ properties, in six continents and many different cultures, there are bound to be a few bad apples.

I will continue to enjoy the good fruit while it lasts. :)

James

I agree with this .... the "value" of ambassador tier over titanium is not really worthy the extra effort required.

And for Titanium, you clearly have way better upgrade rate than I do as Ambassador.
I could say my upgrade rate is roughly around 4/8 for this year stay
And for suite upgrade, its only 2 out of 4 upgraded stays
Only 2 of these 8 stays were in lower end level (1 Four Points and 1 Courtyard) the rest are St Regis, The Luxury Collection, and The Ritz Carlton

I am probably just as shocked as anyone reading this thread on my upgrade successes. It hasn't been limited to revenue nights either. Even free night certificates and award stays have been routinely upgraded. I chose the 5 SNA for my Platinum gift and was 100% on Applying them albeit for only 1×1 and 2×2 night stays. During another stay at the Renaissance Hong Kong, I booked a 2 double garden view on points (only property that had an award night available and rates were very high everywhere) and did a SNA request. My SNA cleared to a beautiful suite with amazing Victoria Harbour views and the skyline of Kowloon. At the Titanium level, I chose the free night certificate. That room was upgraded too.

After 18/8/18 it was a complete 180 from my prior experience, especially at pmSPG properties where high-floors came with a dollar figure attached (Westin San Diego Gas Lamp) and a suite upgrade was available only if I gave up my guaranteed 4:00 pm check-out which on that particular day I needed. (Sheraton Seattle) When I declined they were happy to put me in a standard room that required 2 different elevators to get to the lounge.

I do respond to all pre-arrival emails and let then know what flight I will be arriving on and my anticipated arrival time at the property. If I have any special requests, I ask the property directly. I did just that at the Renaissance LAX and told them I do prefer a higher floor, would enjoy an airport view and if available an upgrade would be appreciated. I also advised that I had a late night flight from LAX and would need the room until 4:00 pm. The reply came quickly, thanked me for the details, upgraded me to a suite on a high floor with Airport views and extended my check-out until 6:00 pm (and the keycard was appropriately programmed). I like the direct approach; no middleman. When you make a request to an Ambassador, do you know wholeheartedly that they are making every possible attempt to fulfill it? I am not sure they are, and that is why I doubt I would use an Ambassador if I had access to one.

I have also had a lot of "thank you for your loyalty" gifts sent to the room after check-in or it was already in the room awaiting my arrival. They have included fruit baskets, bottles of wine, chocolate covered strawberries, macaroons, truffles, and in the case of the St. Regis a solid Brut.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...690fb365d8.jpg
Elite Recognition

While I made Titanium Elite Status last year, my spend was significantly less than $10K. I am puzzled!

James

Prior to 18/8/18 merge, I do have similar upgrade rate as SPG Platinum (75) compare to now as Ambassador
Did 2 SNA request at St Regis SF and it was cleared without issue (2 nights and 3 nights stays)

For my current "unlucky" year, all my stays are in Asia, where Fters claim it supposedly give better elite benefits compare to NA properties.

About ambassador themself, I was lucky I got a responsive ambassador.
There are some issue early on about ambassador service email, but it seems like it has been resolved already.

And for ambassador usefullness, I think depends on how you use the service.
If it just for make a simple cash booking then ambassador actually adding extra layer of communication, which is quite useless.
Its better to book those stays yourself. Mine ask me to email her about these to keep her informed about my stays.
I always let her know if the stays is for special purposes or not.

For things more complex, like chasing missing stays or applying Your24 then they supposedly useful.
Cant really comment on these as I never use Your24 yet and so far all my stays posted properly.

And for being Titatnium with less than 10k spending ... to get Ambassador tier then you need to stay at those $500/ nights room for the rest of 25 nights :D