bhrubin

escape4

Siweltj

C17PSGR

the poster isn't saying there wasn't water in the rooms. When you check in at a Hilton as a premium member, they give you a brown bag with two bottles of water. There are no Free bottles of water in the room. Of course, many people turn down the bottles of water because of concerns about plastic and the fact that water anywhere in the United States is safe to drink. Giving the bottles at check-in is a Hilton brand standard for Elites.

it is not, however, a Marriott brand standard and Starwood was moving toward eliminating bottled water because of environmental concerns. For the time being, there are bottles of water in the room usually free. Hyatt doesn't give water at the check-in desk either.

not sure I understand the 48-hour issue. I've never had a problem with it but sounds like the poster was trying to extend his stay at a fully booked Hotel and dealing with the front desk rather than reservations. Unless there was a one of the major trade shows going on, the poster could have gone online 48 hours early and made a reservation which would have bypassed any confusion at the front desk. I'm unclear if that's what happened or whether this stay was during a major trade show where he hotels might have received an exception. Unfortunately, front desk staff can be unfamiliar with program benefits while the website is set up to automatically provide 48 hour guarantees unless the hotel has an exception granted by corporate.

escape4

I can understand the disappointment, but if you think answers here are about making excuses, then in my humble opinion you are mistaken.

We all share information on FT and I am sorry to hear about your experience, and take note of it. My personal opinion is that there are short-term issues that Marriott needs to deal with but I am not willing to toss the entire hotel chain to the curb permanently if those are just be temporary problems for some lower end hotels such as Courtyards. That does not excuse the problems, but deciding now that these are permanent problems when they might not be, is a conclusion that might not serve you well.

I think in the end everybody will make their own individual decision and I am glad to have more information at my disposal than less information. That said, you are free to take advice here or ignore it.

Siweltj

RogerD408

To be clear, yes, there are many hiccups going on with MPG customer service both in hotels and customer support. So your observations are correct. All too often FTers (and just about any group) will take anecdotal events and use that as a universal truth. That's a problem with crowdsourcing information. But one exception does not a rule make. I often run into CSRs that will back the error made by a property and you have to push to get someone that has more experience or at least willing to look at the problem before spouting an answer. I've had room credit denied and when calling in was told I can't get credit for two hotels on the same night, which I already knew. What the CSR failed to notice, even after being told, was that the hotel posted the stay for the wrong dates. Then told I had to call the hotel to correct the error! One supervisor later and it was taken care of. My point is, don't expect miracle workers on support lines, but it sure is great when you find one.

C17PSGR

First, a belated welcome to Flyertalk! We're pretty good providing advice on issues when they arise.

Sounds like English isn't your first language so perhaps that has led to confusion.

1. Water -- Marriott properties do not normally give water at check-in. Its very rare. Instead, water is normally in the room. For example, this week, I have been in an AC, a Marriott, a Renaissance, and a Luxury Collection. None have given me water at check-in. All have had bottles of water in the room. In contrast, Hilton gives them at check-in but doesn't have them in the room. There is no need for bottled water in the US. I suspect Hilton will change its approach soon.

2. 48 Hour Guarantee -- I've never had an issue with this and its unclear what happened. Perhaps a major conference in the area? In the future, I'd skip the desk or calling by phone. Just go to the app or website 48 hours out and you'll be able to reserve without a problem. This avoids any confusion although sometimes the prices are high when they are sold out.

I hope you get an ambassador soon. Sounds people are starting to get them assigned.

adunker

Points / spend posted yesterday on 11/17/18 to qualify me for Ambassador. App and website show me having the ambassador status, I'll update this post when I get the welcome email.

EDIT: Received invitation email 11/21.

bhrubin

ucfjoe

Instead of creating another thread can someone help quantify worth? By EOY i’ll be at least at 90 nights and $17k in combined program. I’m over 80 now. Is it worth trying to hit AMB? I’d have to out of pocket at least $2k to hit 100 and $20k. Damn corporate rate screws me finally here. I’m probably 70SPG nights btw. I usually stay 4 or 5 star fwiw and when I don’t I’m alone and can’t imagine what an AMB could do for me at a CY or Aloft.

UA-NYC

Out of your own pocket? No way.

IMO the best part of an Ambassador (for most of us) is not having to deal with the faceless, apathetic, non-responsive Marriott CS...with SPG, good CS was a given and for me then Ambassador service was more about the little touches esp. on vacations.

kaizen7

bhrubin

dahguy