flying_geek

I got a certificate back today that I complained about by email a little over 3 weeks ago. Other than the near eternity it took to get a response, I am fairly happy with the outcome. They extended validity by an entire year, they did not insult me in the mail (it was polite and professional actually) and indeed, it shows up in my account again.

This is the first time Marriott actually fixed something I complained about - still - I have one positive experience now.

mysteriouscdn

Thought I would share a dreadful customer service experience. I wanted to make a points booking at the Renaissance Tel Aviv with a 3 November Check-In and a 5 November Check-Out (when there are basic rooms available). Assuming there was a simple technological error, I called and asked to redeem points. The agent curtly explained that "no blackout dates" means no blackout dates for the number of rooms set aside for points redemption (irrespective of whether there are basic rooms available). I asked to speak to a supervisor who suggested that I instead book the Autograph Collection Hotel in Herzliya. I asked if I might use more points for a better room at Renaissance and she said that wasn't an option. I explained that this differed considerably from my experience with SPG and she rather aggressively told me to check the T*Cs. I said that I was disappointed; she said "thank you" and hung up. I think the Marriott phone staff need better training.

3Cforme

That was good advice. Have you read the T&Cs post program merger?

There are basic, repetitive questions asked in these forums day after day by people who haven't read (or can't bring themselves to accept) the T&Cs.

EuropeanPete

I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Are you suggesting the OP was wrong? This is the relevant part of the T&Cs:

"3.2.n. Blackout dates refer to a limited number of dates when a Participating Property could choose not to permit Members to redeem Points for Awards, but the Company has a “No Blackout Dates” benefit so that if there is a standard room available for booking by any means, whether by cash, credit or Points, then a Member can reserve the room using Points."

Boghopper

We are still in transition hell where Marriott corporate claims the policy is now aligned with what SPG says while the actual operators are going by the old rules (or making them up as they go along). The key here is that Marriott has zero enforcement, unlike SPG. So I think we can expect these sorts of stories to continue until either Marriott quietly rescinds their policy (and the language) or actually enforces the rules. Or else this goes on forever, which I think is most likely.

EuropeanPete

Sure, I was just confused as to why the OP was rather aggressively being told he was an idiot who hadn't read the T&Cs, when as far as I can tell he had correctly interpreted them in the first place.

Boghopper

There are lots of apologists floating around the internet, or maybe they just naturally align themselves with authority.

tfong007

CPRich

Did you contact them via the Missing Stay Request function?

RogerD408

If it wasn't for including the property name, I'd say that was an automated message. It would be giving their IT too much credit to think they merged the name from your request to generate the message. Still boiler plate, manual or automated. Can't stop thinking how much of this is calculated action to get you to go away. I would think a simple query of the hotel data would yield confirmation of the stay and how much was charged.

boeingguy1

From the SPG side, 300 total night Plat here since 2015. I have noticeably seen customer service levels deteriorate down to telecom/utility levels.

Today's example: I called the SPG Plat line with a Marriott reservation to apply a SNA, because I couldn't log into Marriott.com. big mistake. "Platinum Concierge" asked me if I booked through a third party, because she can't find the reservation (booked through Marriott.com). Transfers me without asking to the general marriott 1800 line, get another agent who tries but says it's not possible and I have to have the hotel directly apply the SNA - never heard of this, is that true?

Either way, after 15 minutes wasted i'm not really in the mood to spend more time on the line. I'm also not really in the mood to spend any more money (personal or corporate) with this brand. What a joke. RIP SPG!

phant0m

Hit my Ritz $10k spend back in July for Gold to be converted to Plat after change over. The spend wasn't processed by Marriott until August 26th so after a ton of back and forth with them, they're standing by it. Sucks.

RobOnLI

I'm beyond fed up with the lack of customer service at Marriott. I'm Lifetime PP but why should my status matter?

I have two stays from August that are missing. They were booked and stayed under my old SPG #. They never posted there. Since then I merged my accounts. I submitted missing stay requests through the website over 6 weeks ago. Nothing. I have called several times and all Marriott does is transfer me to "SPG". SPG tells me to submit them online. After I tell them multiple times that I already have they tell me to email them to [email protected]. I got an auto reply from that address telling me it can take up to 10 days to get a reply. It's been more than 10 days.

I just called Marriott tonight (I only call at night because that's when there's almost no wait for an agent) and yet again they sent me in an endless transfer loop getting nowhere fast.

Not only is their support line utterly useless, as a frequent traveler we are utterly helpless in getting anything resolved. There is no escalation, there is no ticket being created to be tracked and followed. What are we to do?

I think I'm quickly getting on board with this idea of a boycott because this is just ridiculous.

-RM

Starwood Lurker III

Hi RobOnLI,

Please accept our apologies for the inconveniences you have come across about the missing stays.

It normally takes up to 10 days for Research team to work on missing stays request. However, it may takes longer time as the workload increases after the merger.

If you may forward your hotel folios to us via email below, we are happy to look into the missing stays for you.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International

[email protected]

UA-NYC

"The merger" really happened two years ago...it is frustrating that this is still an excuse, they have had two years to prepare, to staff up, etc.. It's clear Marriott wasn't ready for all this. SMH.