Denied Lounge Access
Jan 30, 2019, 8:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: US/CO/AA/MR Plat
Posts: 92
Denied Lounge Access
My company has a contract rate with Marriott. Up until last night, I was always given lounge access as a Platinum Premier, but never point or night stay credit when staying on company business. Last night at the LGA Marriott I was denied lounge access for the first time ever and told that a new memo was sent to all hotels that only eligible rates may have any elite benefits.
This is a rather unfortunate turn of events and makes me less inclined to book any Bonvoy property when on my own dime.
Just an FYI
This is a rather unfortunate turn of events and makes me less inclined to book any Bonvoy property when on my own dime.
Just an FYI
Jan 30, 2019, 8:22 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
I have seen another thread where someone booked a very low rate that specifically said excluded elite benefits. Last year some time. Perhaps yours does too? Can't blame the property if the cost is so low that they'd lose money on the benefits. I understand your frustration but wouldnt any expenses be reimbursed?
Jan 30, 2019, 8:34 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: US/CO/AA/MR Plat
Posts: 92
I have seen another thread where someone booked a very low rate that specifically said excluded elite benefits. Last year some time. Perhaps yours does too? Can't blame the property if the cost is so low that they'd lose money on the benefits. I understand your frustration but wouldnt any expenses be reimbursed?
Jan 30, 2019, 8:44 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,754
Unless someone else here is using your company rate, it's not particularly informative. In particular, many companies have enabled the use of Booking.com, Expedia and other OTA rates through Concur, and those rates have always been bereft of elite benefits.
Your beef seems to be with your company for cutting out even more benefits from their 2019 corporate rate, not Marriott.
Your beef seems to be with your company for cutting out even more benefits from their 2019 corporate rate, not Marriott.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:00 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,002
Is there anyway to know if a particular corporate rate is not eligible for lounge access? To be honest, then only reason I stick with Marriott is due to the lounge access.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:16 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
I agree we lack sufficient information about the rate that was used to draw conclusions or provide informed commentary. Under normal circumstances, a corporate rate, booked through Marriott booking channels, should count as a Qualifying Rate. Here are the stated exclusions:
2.1.f Non-Qualifying Rates. A “Non-Qualifying Rate” is a rate a Member pays for a Stay in a guest room at a Participating Property which does not qualify to earn Points or Miles, as well as membership tier benefits. Non-Qualifying Rates are those booked using the following methods:
i. The guest room was booked through a tour operator, online travel channel or other third-party channel including, without limitation, expedia.com, hotwire.com, priceline.com, orbitz.com, booking.com, travelocity.com; or
ii. The guest room was booked at a group rate as part of an event, meeting, conference or organized tour, and the Member does not directly pay the Participating Property for such room; or
iii. The guest room was booked at a tour operator, wholesaler, or crew room rate or package including, without limitation, Fam-Tastic® rates, Plan-Tastic® rates, travel industry rates and organized tours or package bookings; or
iv. The guest room was booked at the Company employee or friends and family rate or the Company business rate; or
v. The guest room was complimentary; or
vi. A voucher or third-party award was redeemed for the guest room.
i. The guest room was booked through a tour operator, online travel channel or other third-party channel including, without limitation, expedia.com, hotwire.com, priceline.com, orbitz.com, booking.com, travelocity.com; or
ii. The guest room was booked at a group rate as part of an event, meeting, conference or organized tour, and the Member does not directly pay the Participating Property for such room; or
iii. The guest room was booked at a tour operator, wholesaler, or crew room rate or package including, without limitation, Fam-Tastic® rates, Plan-Tastic® rates, travel industry rates and organized tours or package bookings; or
iv. The guest room was booked at the Company employee or friends and family rate or the Company business rate; or
v. The guest room was complimentary; or
vi. A voucher or third-party award was redeemed for the guest room.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:40 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: SG
Programs: Marriott Plat Amb, oneworld Ruby
Posts: 132
I was told on Monday by a FDA at a legacy Starwood property that Marriott's practice is to always charge the lower of the public rate or the company contracted rate, even if you are booked on company business. Starwood never did this.
Sure enough, my rates for this Wed night and Thurs night are markedly lower than my corporate rate, due to the Fri public holiday where I am.
Sure enough, my rates for this Wed night and Thurs night are markedly lower than my corporate rate, due to the Fri public holiday where I am.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:54 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
It appears OP's beef should be with his/her company's travel department or whoever negotiates the company rate with Marriott. That person/department is responsible for what is and what is not included in the company rate. The T&C is clear and if a deviation from the T&C is desired then that should be negotiated in the company rate with Marriott.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:56 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
But ... I get lounge access regardless. I was at a group paid company meeting last month at a Marriott property and was given lounge access.
This may have either been an FDA mistake or a very specific rate.
Jan 30, 2019, 9:59 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I don't think there has been a material change to the T&C on qualifying rates. Travel rates, OTA's. company meetings, etc. haven't been earning points for a long time. For example, if I travel with an airline friend and use an eligible airline rate, I don't get credit. As others have noted, some rooms booked through Concur or corporate travel portals are qualifying rates and some aren't.
But ... I get lounge access regardless. I was at a group paid company meeting last month at a Marriott property and was given lounge access.
This may have either been an FDA mistake or a very specific rate.
But ... I get lounge access regardless. I was at a group paid company meeting last month at a Marriott property and was given lounge access.
This may have either been an FDA mistake or a very specific rate.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:22 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Jan 30, 2019, 10:32 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: US/CO/AA/MR Plat
Posts: 92
Unless someone else here is using your company rate, it's not particularly informative. In particular, many companies have enabled the use of Booking.com, Expedia and other OTA rates through Concur, and those rates have always been bereft of elite benefits.
Your beef seems to be with your company for cutting out even more benefits from their 2019 corporate rate, not Marriott.
Your beef seems to be with your company for cutting out even more benefits from their 2019 corporate rate, not Marriott.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:36 am
#15
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
That's a recent BonvOY "enhancement". Until recently the MR policy was to grant tier benefits no matter how the room was booked. Wonder why there was no announcement?
