Made ambassador, now what?
Nov 30, 2018, 12:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
Made ambassador, now what?
I just crossed the spend threshold for ambassador for the year. What happens from here? Will someone reach out to me? I'm going on vacation towards the end of next week and was hoping to leverage the ambassador for an upgrade.
Nov 30, 2018, 1:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
Yes, they will reach out to you. Since the merger of the IT systems however, my ambassador has not been nearly as good (presumably, she's dealing with a bunch of Elites who are having a lot of issues). Stay optimistic, but don't be surprised if she can't get you an upgrade. They are just understaffed and much less effective now.
Nov 30, 2018, 2:15 pm
#3
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: 100,413
Eventually you'll get an email from your newly assigned Ambassador.
BTW, is Ambassador status indicated yet on (both of) your accounts? Mine still doesn't show correctly and I qualified before August 1st from the MR side.
BTW, is Ambassador status indicated yet on (both of) your accounts? Mine still doesn't show correctly and I qualified before August 1st from the MR side.
Nov 30, 2018, 2:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: Marriott AmBE ; AA EXP; Amtrak Select Executive; Hertz PC
Posts: 151
i've had my ambassador for a year. she was never able to get an upgrade for me. If I want to be sure of an upgrade I used SNAs. Other than that, I have been upgraded at every one of my stays that actually had upgradeable rooms at check-in. FYI I've stayed 332 nights in SPG/Marriott so far this year not sure if that matters to them.
Nov 30, 2018, 6:27 pm
#6
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: 100,413
Nov 30, 2018, 6:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
Nov 30, 2018, 6:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: Marriott Ambassador elite & lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Emirates Plat, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 236
i've had my ambassador for a year. she was never able to get an upgrade for me. If I want to be sure of an upgrade I used SNAs. Other than that, I have been upgraded at every one of my stays that actually had upgradeable rooms at check-in. FYI I've stayed 332 nights in SPG/Marriott so far this year not sure if that matters to them.
I had an Ambassador with SPG for 3 years till 2015. In comparison, the SPG ambassador service, or at least the ambassador I had back then, was much much better. I would often get suite upgrades guaranteed before arrival, my ambassador was contacting me pro-actively when I had a hotel booking to check if I needed something, and the response time was 3-5 hours during business hours.
I only hope that when the IT issues settle, the current ambassador service improves significantly. As it is now, it looks like useless to me.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
+1
I have over 150 nights so far this year and counting and the experiences with customer service have ranged from excellent to downright useless (much more from the useless side of things).
I have a list of 14 outstanding issues that need to be addressed and tackle one a week. It was NEVER this bad from either side of the legacy programs pre-account merger.
I have over 150 nights so far this year and counting and the experiences with customer service have ranged from excellent to downright useless (much more from the useless side of things).
I have a list of 14 outstanding issues that need to be addressed and tackle one a week. It was NEVER this bad from either side of the legacy programs pre-account merger.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 575
I've had an ambassador for 6 months (as I had 250 nights this year). In my case, I find the service mostly useless: I have not had any upgrades, I have not had any early check-ins guaranteed, the average reply time is 24-36h. So if I need something, I either do it myself on the app, or call customer service for a prompt response.
I had an Ambassador with SPG for 3 years till 2015. In comparison, the SPG ambassador service, or at least the ambassador I had back then, was much much better. I would often get suite upgrades guaranteed before arrival, my ambassador was contacting me pro-actively when I had a hotel booking to check if I needed something, and the response time was 3-5 hours during business hours.
I only hope that when the IT issues settle, the current ambassador service improves significantly. As it is now, it looks like useless to me.
I had an Ambassador with SPG for 3 years till 2015. In comparison, the SPG ambassador service, or at least the ambassador I had back then, was much much better. I would often get suite upgrades guaranteed before arrival, my ambassador was contacting me pro-actively when I had a hotel booking to check if I needed something, and the response time was 3-5 hours during business hours.
I only hope that when the IT issues settle, the current ambassador service improves significantly. As it is now, it looks like useless to me.
Dec 1, 2018, 3:03 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,171
between that, now $20k spend, and Your24 becoming mostly worthless recently, quite the sell job for reaching for Ambassador in 2019!
Dec 1, 2018, 3:14 am
#12
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
Presumably the argument for former SPG people is that in 2019 and 2020 you will need an Ambassador just to do the basic stuff that you used to do online or with SPG chat. You may miss the Ambassador service under the SPG regime, but just imagine what it will be like in 2019 without one to get the rooms and points you paid for.
Dec 1, 2018, 8:26 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: Marriott Ambassador elite & lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Emirates Plat, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 236
I am sure Marriott wants high returns for its shareholders. I am not sure they will achieve that without a great service for loyal customers.
Dec 1, 2018, 9:13 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF
Programs: UA GS, 3MM, Titanium Elite for life
Posts: 149
Prepare to be disappointed. With the exception of a gift on my birthday, they have never been of much help ... almost always defer to the hotel staff. Have been for years, but, will come up about 2 nights short and will not make the effort. I hope it is better for you. -sr
Dec 1, 2018, 10:21 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
Yes, it is. I crossed the threshold from a stay M-W this week and, as of Friday, it says "Platinum Premier Elite + Ambassador".