Marriott Elite Upgrades Discussion Thread
 

just hoping to get some clarity. I travel for business, easily clock up 70 nights a year. Before I converted to SPG, I held Hilton Gold and Intercon Gold or whatever the lower level elite was. Every time I got suite upgrades when I was on business, but more importantly I was certain that I could book the lowest priced room and be guaranteed a suite when I was travelling with my wife and kids.

Since moving to Marriott as a Platinum Elite (converted from SPG), I have not had a single suite upgrade. When you look on the Marriott website it says that multiple suites are available, but there is always an excuse (the website is incorrect, these are for locals). Now, when I'm on my own, it doesn't bother me, but what is the point of earning this status if I can't get a decent upgrade when travelling with my family.

Your's is vastly different from my long-term SPG Plat experience. I don't think I got suite upgrades at US SPG properties even 50% of the time. I was more often upgraded to suites at non-US SPG properties, but well less than 100% even there. My Plat (now Tit) suite upgrade experience at Marriott properties has been lower, considerably. If suite upgrades from base-level reservations are important to you, this isn't the program for you.

I am definitely proactive, but what do you do if they outright refuse, you show them the available rooms and you show them their terms and conditions and it's still refused.

Next time it happens when checking in, I will just leave and probably spend a decade trying to get Marriott to refund me. What is the point of giving them all my business if there is no perks, might as well just stay wherever is most convenient.

What would they refund you? You got what you paid for, including the perks associated with your status. You just didn't get a suite, but you should also be aware that not all suites are available for status upgrades.

You understand that not every suite is part of the upgrade inventory, and wasn't in the 16 years before Marriott bought Starwood, either. Starwood was never transparent in its eligible suite inventory nor in its standard award night room inventory.

With Platinum ... you have 2 levels above you with higher priority for a suite. That's certainly now a bigger problem than before. Checking my reservation for tomorrow in Vienna ... it is already showing they have upgraded me to a huge suite .... so it does happen!
If you want to make sure you get a suite (or at least be reasonably certain), use SNAs!

I think that I was massively over treated by the few Hilton hotels I frequented as Hilton Gold and it's warped my expectations. I will see the year out as Marriott Platinum/Titanium, take the SNAs and use my points for some family vacations and move on (Hyatt sounds like the best option and has coverage in my main destinations).

Side question, if I book an award stay (5th night free), can I use my SNAs to upgrade to a Suite, or does this just make it twice as likely that they will reject my SNAs?

A few things to discuss

1. You get SNA, use them.
2. If you dont want to use a SNA, be sure to choose a property with a LOT of suites. On a recent trip I originally booked a property with 12 suites, 600 rooms. I changed to a 700 room/80 suite property. I gave up the club lounge, but wanted the suite more and I got it.
3. Lastly, call. Call the property, ask for a room manager or FD manager.

You have to remember now that platinum is unfortunately a MID tier now after ambassador and titanium

I find that Marriott without extra effort yields zero upgrades. A little effort - ask at check in - once in a blue moon. Marriott with significant effort (phone calls a week out, SNAs, that sort of thing) typically yields pretty good results. This is OK with me, since when I need it (family trip) I put in the effort.

Hilton Diamond gets me more "no/little effort" upgrades (of course even one per year is better than Marriott's none). Again, though with extra effort I get fair results, but maybe not as good as Marriott. Some of this is because I tend to do Embassy Suites or HGI, which has little/no real upgrade option, when wife is along.

Thanks, that is extremely helpful. Yes, 50 nights to get a mid tier status is unfortunate, though those staying 100-150 nights probably feel it unfair that most other hotel programmes put them in the same category as the 50-60 nighters.

I think I was spoilt by Hilton, no effort upgrades to the best room every time. I will continue with Marriott for this year, doesn't make sense to change programme now I've got 40 nights this year. Will phone in advance during family trips.