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)
Jun 18, 2019, 9:15 pm
#2671
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Emails directly from the hotel Concierge pre-arrival and the chat feature online 48 hours prior to arrival at the hotel are excellent resources to work directly with the property. I find that more efficient than having a middle-man do it for me. I reply to all pre-arrival emails outlining when I will be arriving at the property and any special requests that I have. I haven't been disappointed.
As a lowly Titanium it seems to have put a few noses out of joint that I have enjoyed what some Ambassador Elites have not. I agree wholeheartedly that recognition and upgrades have seen an improvement, not just for Ambassador Elites. Suite upgrades and gifts in the room for me are more often than not.
I am currently at the Westin GDL on a three day stay. I replied to the pre-arrival email from the Concierge and mentioned it would be my first time to GDL. The day prior to my arrival I received a reply that they had upgraded me to a full 857 sq/ft 1.5 bathroom suite "for my first time in Guadalajara" for all 3 nights on a $79 PRIDE rate. My room was ready when I arrived and when I got to the room there was fruit and chocolates with a hand-written note from the Concierge. Everyday, they have been calling the room to see if everything is okay and ask if I need anything.
Off to the Westin Puerto Vallarta tomorrow.
James
Jun 18, 2019, 10:09 pm
#2672
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
AMB is just a glorified name for the concierge service at the hotel. i've had much better results dealing with the hotel & it's concierge service before and after the merger. Honestly, back in the SPG days when staying 100 nights was simply enough for AMB I didn't really expect much. Now they want 20K spend on top of the 100 nights for AMB annoys me a bit.
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James
Jun 19, 2019, 10:03 am
#2673
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
In pmSPG system, it was easy to become a Plat. As one stayed more nights, they would hit thresholds and get more benefits, SNA's and then an Ambassador. But ...hotels might or might not treat a Plat with 100 nights any better than one with 25 stays. I'll say the posts on the pmSPG board varied widely.
In the pmMR system, it was hard to become a Plat Premier, which in most cases required multiple years of 100 nights and more than $20K spend. But, even though it was distinct, it was unpublished and had no clear benefits. Some hotels understood that level and treated those with Plat Premier level very well. Others had no idea that it was anything other than Plat and didn't do anything different.
In the new system, its better than either of the past. It's a published benefit with clear standards. Most hotels understand it is different and a status that means someone is one of their best customers. Suite upgrades are routine and internationally (and in some domestic properties) I'm getting nice unexpected gifts ranging from freshly baked macaroons to wine and cheese.
So yes ... I'm on track for 150 BIB nights this year in Bonvoy properties and I appreciate the increased benefits from the new program which has a defined level that is easily recognized by properties.
Jun 19, 2019, 11:43 am
#2674
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
@C17PSGR: hear, hear!
Jun 19, 2019, 12:03 pm
#2675
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I really have noticed increased acknowledgement of Ambassador status at the hotels we stay at. Making Ambassador a separate tier level is one of Marriott’s best moves IMHO.
Jun 19, 2019, 12:29 pm
#2676
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 687
It sounds like I'm an outlier but of my 77 nights this year, I've only been upgraded 4 nights without using a SNA (4 separate,1 night stays). For my 6 to 7 years of being an Ambassador, my Ambassador is 0 for 3 doing something special for major events (honeymoon, wife's bday, mother's bday all at high-end properties during low season). I was hoping this would change when Ambassador was changed to its own status but I'm rarely identified as an Ambassador at check-in, let alone receive upgrades / welcome gifts.
General consensus among the 10-15 people I know with this status is a glorified customer service agent.
General consensus among the 10-15 people I know with this status is a glorified customer service agent.
Jun 19, 2019, 12:39 pm
#2677
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
It sounds like I'm an outlier but of my 77 nights this year, I've only been upgraded 4 nights without using a SNA (4 separate,1 night stays). For my 6 to 7 years of being an Ambassador, my Ambassador is 0 for 3 doing something special for major events (honeymoon, wife's bday, mother's bday all at high-end properties during low season). I was hoping this would change when Ambassador was changed to its own status but I'm rarely identified as an Ambassador at check-in, let alone receive upgrades / welcome gifts.
General consensus among the 10-15 people I know with this status is a glorified customer service agent.
General consensus among the 10-15 people I know with this status is a glorified customer service agent.
If we can ask, at what brands are you spending those 77 nights? (And how many of those are BIB?)
I’m also surprised that with 6-7 years of being Ambassador, you’ve only had 3 stays over major special occasions? When and where were your honeymoon, your wife’s bday trip, and mother’s bday trip if we can ask? Perhaps those are properties to avoid, then...
FWIW, I am not always identified as an Ambassador elite when I check in, either. I am always upgraded, however. And I am almost always upgraded to a suite, to boot.
Jun 19, 2019, 1:34 pm
#2678
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,653
I stayed at the Fenway in Dunedin last weekend. I was upgraded to a suite, and when I called down to ask for a later checkout, I was told "You're an ambassador elite so you can stay until 11:24PM if you'd like". I guess Your24 kicked in. That was a first for me.
Jun 19, 2019, 1:57 pm
#2679
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,483
Jun 19, 2019, 2:08 pm
#2680
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
Jun 19, 2019, 2:22 pm
#2681
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 687
This surprises me greatly, actually. I am really sorry to hear that!
If we can ask, at what brands are you spending those 77 nights? (And how many of those are BIB?)
I’m also surprised that with 6-7 years of being Ambassador, you’ve only had 3 stays over major special occasions? When and where were your honeymoon, your wife’s bday trip, and mother’s bday trip if we can ask? Perhaps those are properties to avoid, then...
FWIW, I am not always identified as an Ambassador elite when I check in, either. I am always upgraded, however. And I am almost always upgraded to a suite, to boot.
- Le Meridian Frankfurt
- Courtyard Bogota Airport (amazing suite and maybe one of the nicest Courtyards, otherwise I hate and avoid the CY brand)
- Renaissance Dallas Richardson
- Westin Dallas Park Central
I've had two stays where I applied SNA and was upgrade to amazing rooms this year - Villa at the StR Punta Mita and suite at the Hotel de Berri.
My 0-3:
- The Palace San Francisco (May 2017) for my wife's birthday - they attempted to upsell on their iPad upon arrival
- StR Bali (November 2018) for my honeymoon - nothing of note from my Ambassador although I sent them a note beforehand to note this special occasion (btw, the Four Seasons in Ubud gladly comped us to a villa)
- StR Punta Mita (May 2019) for my mother's bday - disclaimer as I had one paid night and two nights with points on separate reservations. Two nights cleared into the villa via SNA however not the one paid night. Asked my Ambassador in advance but they did not attempt to contact the hotel on I was literally on the property per the manager I spoke with. My Ambassador emailed apologizing there was nothing they could do. I was able to talk with the manager and get myself into the 2 bedroom villa they had open (not sure if this was due to Ambassador status but definitely not due to Ambassador intervention).
Generally stay at the mid-tiers and the 77 nights are BIB during the week - Le Meridian, Sheraton, Westin, Marriott, Renaissance. Unfortunately Marriott has gotten rid of the old SPG brand map that showed you exactly how many nights in each or else I would give an exact breakdown.
Jun 19, 2019, 2:29 pm
#2682
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,653
Jun 19, 2019, 2:36 pm
#2683
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
A hotel presumably not understanding Your24 again, but this time in the favour of a customer for a change!
Jun 19, 2019, 5:20 pm
#2684
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
My four non-SNA upgrades:
- Le Meridian Frankfurt
- Courtyard Bogota Airport (amazing suite and maybe one of the nicest Courtyards, otherwise I hate and avoid the CY brand)
- Renaissance Dallas Richardson
- Westin Dallas Park Central
I've had two stays where I applied SNA and was upgrade to amazing rooms this year - Villa at the StR Punta Mita and suite at the Hotel de Berri.
My 0-3:
- The Palace San Francisco (May 2017) for my wife's birthday - they attempted to upsell on their iPad upon arrival
- StR Bali (November 2018) for my honeymoon - nothing of note from my Ambassador although I sent them a note beforehand to note this special occasion (btw, the Four Seasons in Ubud gladly comped us to a villa)
- StR Punta Mita (May 2019) for my mother's bday - disclaimer as I had one paid night and two nights with points on separate reservations. Two nights cleared into the villa via SNA however not the one paid night. Asked my Ambassador in advance but they did not attempt to contact the hotel on I was literally on the property per the manager I spoke with. My Ambassador emailed apologizing there was nothing they could do. I was able to talk with the manager and get myself into the 2 bedroom villa they had open (not sure if this was due to Ambassador status but definitely not due to Ambassador intervention).
Generally stay at the mid-tiers and the 77 nights are BIB during the week - Le Meridian, Sheraton, Westin, Marriott, Renaissance. Unfortunately Marriott has gotten rid of the old SPG brand map that showed you exactly how many nights in each or else I would give an exact breakdown.
- Le Meridian Frankfurt
- Courtyard Bogota Airport (amazing suite and maybe one of the nicest Courtyards, otherwise I hate and avoid the CY brand)
- Renaissance Dallas Richardson
- Westin Dallas Park Central
I've had two stays where I applied SNA and was upgrade to amazing rooms this year - Villa at the StR Punta Mita and suite at the Hotel de Berri.
My 0-3:
- The Palace San Francisco (May 2017) for my wife's birthday - they attempted to upsell on their iPad upon arrival
- StR Bali (November 2018) for my honeymoon - nothing of note from my Ambassador although I sent them a note beforehand to note this special occasion (btw, the Four Seasons in Ubud gladly comped us to a villa)
- StR Punta Mita (May 2019) for my mother's bday - disclaimer as I had one paid night and two nights with points on separate reservations. Two nights cleared into the villa via SNA however not the one paid night. Asked my Ambassador in advance but they did not attempt to contact the hotel on I was literally on the property per the manager I spoke with. My Ambassador emailed apologizing there was nothing they could do. I was able to talk with the manager and get myself into the 2 bedroom villa they had open (not sure if this was due to Ambassador status but definitely not due to Ambassador intervention).
Generally stay at the mid-tiers and the 77 nights are BIB during the week - Le Meridian, Sheraton, Westin, Marriott, Renaissance. Unfortunately Marriott has gotten rid of the old SPG brand map that showed you exactly how many nights in each or else I would give an exact breakdown.
Even mid tier hotels should be able to upgrade you to their better category room.
Suite upgrade might be harder to come on these mid tier hotels due to the limited number of suites they have.
Although my only non SNA suite upgrade for this year is from a Courtyard.
I didnt get upgraded at StR Bali as well, but then again I already book their usual upgrade pool suite category.
Jun 20, 2019, 4:57 pm
#2685
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite (Lifetime Gold), United 1K
Posts: 128
Email from my Ambassador who has ignored multiple emails from me thanking me and handing me off to the next one. Hopefully my new one will be more proactive and responsive. 