PointWeasel

If I get a suite at the FI Vernon BC next week, rather than a standard room with a view of the AC unit directly outside my window, then I will know the supposed new benefits are underway.

Tanic

Something about a guy who knows a guy who could get breakfast in a Ritz or maybe Residence Inn if they are premium platinum or plutonium.

hockeyinsider

I remember all the noise back in the late spring of 2018, when Marriott executives initially unveiled the new loyalty program as providing a breakfast benefit across the board. Of course, that never happened.

And as @sethMCOflyer observed, even if something is supposed to be provided at some brands -- that something being breakfast -- plenty of properties are either refusing to provide it or providing an inferior breakfast, like a cup of coffee and a piece of bread with some icing on it or with a sugary fruit filling.

hockeyinsider

Exactly. The platinum premier/titanium benefits are, on paper and not necessarily in practice, pretty good. The issue is the lack of defined benefits for ambassador status. Something as simple as Ritz-Carlton lounge access or room service breakfast at any full-service property would be a great addition to the ambassador status benefits. It would be absurd to give something like this to titanium, but not give anything above and beyond to ambassador.

Getting free alcohol is nice but a bottle of wine waiting for me in my room isn't that important because I can generally expense it. I can't expense room service. I'd rather have a personally written letter from the general manager or maybe some swag at a resort property with the hotel's name on it than a fruit-and-cheese plate or chocolate.

controller1

This is the main one I was thinking of. Do you not considerate it substantive or do you believe it is just a minor tweak?

C17PSGR

I actually think they are guaranteed under the programs terms, if available: "Platinum Elite Members receive a complimentary upgrade to the best available room subject to availability for the entire length of stay at the time of check-in. Complimentary upgrade includes suites ..." I think it was inappropriate for a LC property to ask for $200 to upgrade me to a one bedroom suite when they had some available. That being said, I wasn't surprised as while guaranteed under the terms, they are not guaranteed in practice.

The problem under the SPG program is that everyone was Platinum and this became a Marriott problem post 8/18. I've had dozens of handwritten notes from GM's over the years but none in the 50 stays since 8/18 because everyone is Plat Premier.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the program will improve when the levels are more distinct.

MSPeconomist

scubadu

It quickly just became the new, new whining thread...

Regards

hockeyinsider

Even the credit card names are ditching their names, which were too similar to the elite statues. That's a good thing.

Kacee

How's that? All the 2017 Plats who did not hit 75 nights in 2018 will drop. Plat should see an even bigger decrease, as AMEX and UA matched status drops to Gold.

Tanic

It's for the SPGs who were granted special dispensation by Arne for having 10 years of spg platness. They are newly minted LTMBVTTs.

MSPeconomist

C17PSGR

I can't figure out all the pluses and minuses.

But, there are a lot of Plat Premiers right now. I suspect those who are in the SPG LTPP sweep, may already be Plat Premiers so I'm assuming the numbers will drop.

puntamita

Where was the rumor heard?

GoldenItalianBoy

Free breakfast to 50 nighters Platinums is a must nowadays in every elite level (Hilton ecc); removing it at Marriott would be a shame and a loss of customers for sure (firstly me)