Likelihood Marriott will Take Away Lounge Access from Platinum During Next Downgrade?
Feb 3, 2019, 5:42 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
its not that simple with behaved kids... one parent’s behaved kids can be another guest’s torment. I’ll be okay if the parent removes the kid from the lounge during tantrums but almost never happens. And we all know confrontation will happen if the hotel staff says anything about it because those that don’t have the decency to remove themselves during kids tantrums are also difficult guests to deal with. Might as well restrict access completely.
if we restrict access to adults the lounges will likely be empty for lack of any adults in the room
Feb 3, 2019, 6:15 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
I don’t think I’ve come across any kids in lounges I’ve thought warranted the boot. But I’ve lost count of how many grown adults I’ve seen in hotels and lounges who need to go back to manners school to learn how to appropriately behave in public
if we restrict access to adults the lounges will likely be empty for lack of any adults in the room
Having said that, totally agree that there are lots of immature adults in lounges making a fool of themselves as well. Loud and obnoxious (and touch food with hands and put back). Eeekkkkkk.
Last edited by myperks; Feb 3, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Feb 3, 2019, 7:03 pm
#48
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
Without taking this conversation off topic in this thread, you made my point exactly. you either are the parent (or family member) that thinks their kids are angels or you haven’t been to lounges in family friendly cities where parents take their kids on vacation or staycations. Disgusting when you find kids putting their fingers in every dish at the lounge and the parent is like “oh so cute, he is a good boy getting his own food.” There is a reason some lounges are only 18+.
Having said that, totally agree that there are lots of immature adults in lounges making a full of themselves as well. Loud and obnoxious (and touch food with hands and put back). Eeekkkkkk.
Feb 3, 2019, 7:20 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: NC
Programs: AA, Marriott/SPG, AMEX
Posts: 272
I actually find that the parents are the issue when kids are left to do as they please.
Feb 3, 2019, 9:29 pm
#50
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Feb 4, 2019, 3:43 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Starwood:Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada:Basic, Asiana:Lifetime Diamond Plus, ANA: Basic
Posts: 980
Airlines do bring some insights on how to link value of a customer with their potential future revenue. Revenue management innovations in one sector sometimes can be ported over to another.
One of the ways to further reduce the lounge crowding can be implementing a spending threshold for unlimited lounge access. For example, you have to spend say $us 5000/year to get unlimited lounge access. Or else, your welcome kit can be points, food & drink credit/breakfast, lounge access or local gift.
The spending threshold is already used in the Ambassador level and cal roll out to future titanium and Platinum.
One of the ways to further reduce the lounge crowding can be implementing a spending threshold for unlimited lounge access. For example, you have to spend say $us 5000/year to get unlimited lounge access. Or else, your welcome kit can be points, food & drink credit/breakfast, lounge access or local gift.
The spending threshold is already used in the Ambassador level and cal roll out to future titanium and Platinum.
Feb 4, 2019, 5:38 am
#53
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
I don’t think I’ve come across any kids in lounges I’ve thought warranted the boot. But I’ve lost count of how many grown adults I’ve seen in hotels and lounges who need to go back to manners school to learn how to appropriately behave in public
if we restrict access to adults the lounges will likely be empty for lack of any adults in the room
Feb 4, 2019, 6:11 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
I always try to avoid discussing upgrades with my colleagues and especially boss(es), be it flights or rooms. Usually I'm on a much higher tier than they are (think Silver/Gold vs Plat/Plat+ in any programme) and 99% I get much better rooms, op-ups etc than they do - no use to brag and make them envious, they'll remember it during the next salary overview...
Feb 4, 2019, 7:15 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA, LH, BA
Posts: 294
for some strange reason, the last three Marriotts that I stayed at had H##ters(good wings) near them.(across the street) One even had a [taking off clothes] club(had a free buffet) 3-minute walk away. I go there instead of the lounges.
If that's true for all the Marriotts, I won't miss lounge access at all.
If that's true for all the Marriotts, I won't miss lounge access at all.
Last edited by geometry; Feb 4, 2019 at 10:58 am
Feb 4, 2019, 9:10 am
#56
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Programs: A: PP, LTG/1.5M | UA: SLV | Bonvoy LTTi | IHG PLT| Avis PC | Nat'l Emerald Club EE
Posts: 1,067
i travel for work and most of the time travel with others including my direct reports. Some of these persons being lower tier members and we always discuss what rooms we got. Generally we all check in on the same day allbeit at different times and yes I’ve seen lower tiers get upgrades I don’t
Feb 4, 2019, 9:22 am
#57
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I’ve asked staff to remove plates from the lounge that children had their hands all over. Sheraton Waikiki is terrible for children running back and forth. I’d suggest limiting the hours for children under 14.
Feb 4, 2019, 9:55 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
There were other ways of getting lounge access besides status. For example, the Amex SPG Business card gave lounge access (at Sheraton properties only). It could be that your colleague had been getting lounge access from something other than Gold status, but didn't realize that, then lost that, and thought erroneously that it was a downgrade to Gold status benefits when it was actually something other reason.
In any case, no one else remembers SPG Gold ever giving lounge status (unless perhaps it got you upgraded to the club floor?), so they certainly didn't take it away circa 2010. Whatever the reason for your mistaken impression (which seems to have been a big basis for the speculation in this thread), it appears to have been incorrect.