Remind me why I should stay at Ritz-Carlton now?
Mar 7, 2019, 1:56 pm
#76
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
Luxury hotels like Ritz-Carlton, St Regis, and many in the Luxury Collection aren’t always or even usually about delivering the most or best elite benefits to the bulk of elite loyalty members. These luxury hotels usually are far more about delivering the nicest experiences, amenities, service, and food/beverage in great locations for people willing to pay for those.
Mar 7, 2019, 2:03 pm
#77
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Except St Regis, Luxury Collection (and I'll add Park Hyatt) manage to do both while Ritz Carlton chooses not to. So i agree folks either choose RC when other factors outweigh elite benefits (better location, nicer hard product, etc) or when there is no St Regis or LC available.
That's also why some RC properties like Kyoto sometimes will offer free breakfast despite not being required to do so--there is no Club at the RC Kyoto.
The bigger question actually is why Edition hotels don't offer breakfast, since they have no brand standard reason like RC to evade that benefit. That's why Edition will lose almost always to W. It's a stupid distinction that hurts Edition wherever it competes with W.
Mar 7, 2019, 3:03 pm
#78
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
My RC club experience is very limited, but comparing RC Mega Kuningan Jakarta club vs Keraton at The Plaza lounge, I can see why RC reluctant to provide it free for members.
As much as I like Keraton’s offering, it still can’t match RC offering.
They both doing a la carte menu and buffet for their meal presentations.
As much as I like Keraton’s offering, it still can’t match RC offering.
They both doing a la carte menu and buffet for their meal presentations.
Mar 7, 2019, 3:22 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,835
I will also look at other chains before making that decision, but once again if there is a Waldorf Astoria and a Park Hyatt, both of which are unlikely to have a lounge, then for that trip if I would like a lounge then choosing RC is a slam dunk in those circumstances.
Of course it's never black & white and I won't pick a hotel 100% based on whether there is a lounge or not, but sometimes my preference for having a lounge is small, other times it is stronger.
Last edited by escape4; Mar 8, 2019 at 5:13 am
Mar 7, 2019, 7:58 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
So you have the data to support your presupposition that the marginal loss in contribution from paying Club Lounge guests moving down to free breakfast would completely undermine the marginal gain in contribution from elites moving their business to RC due to it actually providing them with benefits? I say that in a way that sounds sarcastic, but if you do in fact have the financial model with inside data and empirically determined elasticities, well that would be pretty sweet.
Mar 7, 2019, 8:07 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
RC offers free breakfast to guests booked via travel agents... (not corp rates and not free nights)
breakfast is viewed as something to give away because many do not use it, obviously can be different for certain status holders
breakfast is viewed as something to give away because many do not use it, obviously can be different for certain status holders
Mar 7, 2019, 8:49 pm
#83
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Mar 7, 2019, 9:06 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
not generic, but pretty much all of them when talking about consortia like virtuoso as well as amex plat/cent. many FTers hold amex plat/cent for other reasons. and actually many other credit cards have launched competing programs, think some at lower fee levels. one citi still has 4th night free at most hotels.
personally ive become kind of annoyed at such agencies because ~$100 amenity credit is not based on spend
best value is for business travelers on inexpensive 1 night stays where they do not have corporate rates
personally ive become kind of annoyed at such agencies because ~$100 amenity credit is not based on spend
best value is for business travelers on inexpensive 1 night stays where they do not have corporate rates
Mar 7, 2019, 9:17 pm
#85
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
not generic, but pretty much all of them when talking about consortia like virtuoso as well as amex plat/cent. many FTers hold amex plat/cent for other reasons. and actually many other credit cards have launched competing programs, think some at lower fee levels. one citi still has 4th night free at most hotels.
Mar 8, 2019, 12:48 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
Checked in last night at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. We stayed here over 15 years ago and were very impressed and happily the hotel is as wonderful as we remembered it. The rooms are gorgeous, the staff is friendly and welcoming and the service is outstanding. The hotel exemplifies what a Ritz Carlton can be.
Mar 8, 2019, 1:23 am
#87
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
American Express platinum travel program where RC are listed offer continental breakfast,so why can’t they at least offer it to Bonvoy elite members, get not giving loungeaccess as their lounges offer an almost all inclusive experience which I find quite tacky but surely a complimentary breakfast would not hurt their bottom line. I was looking at staying on a paid rate at 2 properties in SE Asia but decided to go with LC and St Regis option as would at least be assured of some benefits. Disappointing to hear st Regis Singapore dropped the free drinks and decide to limit to one drink though, even though this is usually enough for us as we are not big drinkers
Mar 8, 2019, 5:36 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
American Express platinum travel program where RC are listed offer continental breakfast,so why can’t they at least offer it to Bonvoy elite members, get not giving loungeaccess as their lounges offer an almost all inclusive experience which I find quite tacky but surely a complimentary breakfast would not hurt their bottom line. I was looking at staying on a paid rate at 2 properties in SE Asia but decided to go with LC and St Regis option as would at least be assured of some benefits. Disappointing to hear st Regis Singapore dropped the free drinks and decide to limit to one drink though, even though this is usually enough for us as we are not big drinkers
Mar 8, 2019, 6:15 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
i have recent example on Ritz Abu Dhabi canal
Members rate Club room 3 nights April euro 1.125
FHR rate same room/dates euro 1.250
wirh FHR you have 100$ credit. So it compensates difference
more or less is same rate (both refundable until day before)
but i’ve to consider also:
-Marriott double points promo (I don’t know if with FHR I can get also double points as current promo) if booked directly
-booking directly with Marriott using Jewel I can get also 10% cash rebate.
-at the moment I can’t find rate for payment in advance on Marriott. Maybe I will find it in some days and it will be 15/20% cheaper ?
would be interesting also to understand if more chance to be upgraded at Club Suite (next level after club room) as Plat Member booking directly or be upgraded by FHR ...
Members rate Club room 3 nights April euro 1.125
FHR rate same room/dates euro 1.250
wirh FHR you have 100$ credit. So it compensates difference
more or less is same rate (both refundable until day before)
but i’ve to consider also:
-Marriott double points promo (I don’t know if with FHR I can get also double points as current promo) if booked directly
-booking directly with Marriott using Jewel I can get also 10% cash rebate.
-at the moment I can’t find rate for payment in advance on Marriott. Maybe I will find it in some days and it will be 15/20% cheaper ?
would be interesting also to understand if more chance to be upgraded at Club Suite (next level after club room) as Plat Member booking directly or be upgraded by FHR ...
Last edited by Dav77; Mar 8, 2019 at 6:32 am