Marriott Hotels now adding a $50 per person fee after 2 adults when booking an Award
Dec 10, 2018, 8:44 pm
#16
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This is what I remember too: the SPG standard was a room for two as a stay using points or certs. I don't consider it unreasonable for Starriott to ask people to pay extra for additional people on "free" stays.
Similarly, it doesn't seem unreasonable to give free breakfast or lounge access for only two occupants per room unless there's an extra payment.
Similarly, it doesn't seem unreasonable to give free breakfast or lounge access for only two occupants per room unless there's an extra payment.
Dec 10, 2018, 10:36 pm
#17
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There was a tbread not long ago that mentioned this issue for canada and i believe tbe conclusion was to book for two.
www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-rewards/1890144-extra-person-fee-children-canada.html
stayed with kids in calgary on awards a couple times this year and it was not an issue.
www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-rewards/1890144-extra-person-fee-children-canada.html
stayed with kids in calgary on awards a couple times this year and it was not an issue.
I saw this happening at the following:
1. Sheraton Bugainvilias, Puerto Vallarta, MX
2. Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
3. Kanaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection, Alberta, Canada
4. Delta Hotels Whistler Villages, Whistler, Canada
These are the 4 I have tried on the Luxury side (although the MX one I doubt is Luxury) and faced the problem every single time. Now if I am booking at Fairfield Inn, Springhill etc. then there is no issues and they will take even 6 people without any charge.
1. Sheraton Bugainvilias, Puerto Vallarta, MX
2. Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
3. Kanaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection, Alberta, Canada
4. Delta Hotels Whistler Villages, Whistler, Canada
These are the 4 I have tried on the Luxury side (although the MX one I doubt is Luxury) and faced the problem every single time. Now if I am booking at Fairfield Inn, Springhill etc. then there is no issues and they will take even 6 people without any charge.
Dec 10, 2018, 11:03 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Wow, $50/person seems like a LOT. When I worked in Hyatt reservations, it was typically $10/$20 more for each person over two.
Is this only happening on award reservations, or is this a regular hotel policy (at the hotels that charge it)?
It really is absolutely outrageous, but not a lot to do about it except try to find another place to stay. And complain to Marriott. And shame them on Tripadvisor.
Is this only happening on award reservations, or is this a regular hotel policy (at the hotels that charge it)?
It really is absolutely outrageous, but not a lot to do about it except try to find another place to stay. And complain to Marriott. And shame them on Tripadvisor.
Dec 11, 2018, 1:07 am
#20
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i've noticed this for award bookings in the u.s. as well....made 2 bookings last week & both places are charging extra for kids....
Dec 11, 2018, 5:15 am
#21
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I wonder if there is some extra person rate variation where a rollaway is required vs. where the 3rd is using existing bedding for the reserved room type. I would expect the hotel sites on marriott.com to specify the rate structure for children vs. adults: under age 12, under age 18, etc.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:32 am
#22
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I appreciate the data point so thank you, but MAR has 6,500 properties worldwide (and not just alll SHS, FII). I seriously doubt that all properties are doing the charge for additional guests & it might be more location specific (especially in a few countries), but not an overall MAR policy - more like a local country thing.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I think we can safely say that this seems to be the case with the FS Marriott going forward.
Dec 11, 2018, 12:50 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
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I booked a 2 night stay at the Westin Wall Center Vancouver last weekend. The ADVERTISED rate I clicked to accept, and then when I looked at the reservation they added a $120 extra person fee (60 per night). I was outraged as this was misleading advertising in my opinion. Anyhow I called Marriott and they called the hotel to inquire. The hotel said that no they would not charge me this fee and when I checked out, no additional fee was added.
Hyatt and other chains certainly don't do this in North America, I wonder if Marriott is planning on rolling this out?
If so this is terrible news.
Hyatt and other chains certainly don't do this in North America, I wonder if Marriott is planning on rolling this out?
If so this is terrible news.
Dec 11, 2018, 1:03 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX
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Posts: 55
I had a one night stay on US Thanksgiving night at the Sheraton Mission Valley in San Diego. It was a paid night and I when I booked it about a month ago I kept getting a $20 higher rate when I changed from 2 adults to 2 adults plus a 10 month old infant. I'm pretty sure this was after Sheraton had been integrated into the system so this struck me as being solely a cash grab. I just went ahead and booked the room for 2 adults without the infant for the lower rate and had no issues when checking in and was not charged extra.
Dec 11, 2018, 2:11 pm
#25
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So I tried to do a LNF today for one of the hotels (Sheraton at the Falls)
When rerserving with 2 Adults and 2 Kids, the Marriott rate was 345 CAD
www.lastminutetravel.com was offering the exact same room with the exact same cancellation policy for 278 CAD for 4 people (their rates were the same for 2 or 4 people)
So I submitted the LNF and the LNF Rep claims that he has to add the extra fee to the Lastminutetravel rate as that would be fair. I am at a loss as to how that is fair? Booking thru lastminutetravel means that I DON'T have to pay that fee while booking at Marriott means I have to pay this fee.
I checked the LNF rules and did not find any reason for my LNF claim to be denied.
If Marriott wants to charge the extra fee to the room rate, then shouldn't that rate be compared for the LNF?
When rerserving with 2 Adults and 2 Kids, the Marriott rate was 345 CAD
www.lastminutetravel.com was offering the exact same room with the exact same cancellation policy for 278 CAD for 4 people (their rates were the same for 2 or 4 people)
So I submitted the LNF and the LNF Rep claims that he has to add the extra fee to the Lastminutetravel rate as that would be fair. I am at a loss as to how that is fair? Booking thru lastminutetravel means that I DON'T have to pay that fee while booking at Marriott means I have to pay this fee.
I checked the LNF rules and did not find any reason for my LNF claim to be denied.
If Marriott wants to charge the extra fee to the room rate, then shouldn't that rate be compared for the LNF?
Dec 11, 2018, 2:52 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
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This is what I remember too: the SPG standard was a room for two as a stay using points or certs. I don't consider it unreasonable for Starriott to ask people to pay extra for additional people on "free" stays.
Similarly, it doesn't seem unreasonable to give free breakfast or lounge access for only two occupants per room unless there's an extra payment.
Similarly, it doesn't seem unreasonable to give free breakfast or lounge access for only two occupants per room unless there's an extra payment.
On your second point, I agree, it doesn't seem unreasonable to give free breakfast if there is 1 VS 2 VS 4 in a room. Sure. So perhaps a Platinum should just get free access for 1 in the lounge, and then $50 if they want to bring their spouse into the lounge too, as it costs more money. And then even more then if they want to bring in their kids.
Using your logic, shouldn't they just charge Platinums for the lounge if they use it as it costs them more money then a Platinum not using the lounge. The reason in my view is that is why people chase loyalty programs. The reason I purchase a room on Marriott.com rather then CHEAPER booking websites is that I get Platinum Elite Status perks if I manage to stay 50 or 75+ nights booking through Marriott.com. One of those elite benefits is a free breakfast and or lounge access. If their competition Hyatt/Hilton stopped giving out lounge/free breakfast to elite members, then I can bet you Marriott would too.
Dec 11, 2018, 3:12 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
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Kids
I never check the boxes for kids and we have 3. Never been an issue, but sounds they are so crazy they may start lining you up in the lobby and counting you all.
This worries me.
This worries me.
Dec 11, 2018, 3:50 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CHI
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We have 3 kids and I've pretty much always searched rooms for 5 on SPG.com. It's never been a problem with extra fees for the kids, at least without some very clear explanation or obvious rationale (e.g. a room w/ 2DB + Sofa costs a bit more than just 2DB). My gut feel based on related observation to date is that the OP has stumbled upon a change for the worse.
Dec 11, 2018, 4:22 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2014
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At some locations, an extra fee for a 3rd person in a room isn't new. I don't remember if it was the Gritti Palace or the Danielli, but in 2011, I believe it was a 110 Euro surcharge to add a teenaged child to a reservation. That would mean that a 3rd person charge has existed longer than SPG lifetime status.
Last edited by rny321; Dec 11, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Dec 11, 2018, 4:28 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
Well, when I try to book award stays for 2 adults and 1 child in most European properties that I’ve been looking at lately, it tells me there is no availability (dropping the kid as a test reveals availability across all properties in question). I’d be happy to pay the $50 if I could at least find some availability.