No joke: Arne named CEO of the year
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
No question. Those of us who've been around for a few cycles have seen loyalty programs rise and fall in response to the economy -- especially as the economy starts to affect business travel. No reason to give away free stuff when you're operating at capacity anyway.
It wasn't so long ago when business travel was drastically reduced and airlines were basically giving away benefits. I remember the first year I made 1K on United. At that time it was only because of all the double mile promotions that I moved up from Premier Exec. Then the economy got better and they implemented spend requirements. I'd expect in the next downturn, Marriott adds some new benefits, especially easier room upgrades (although I don't think there are a lot missing right now).
It wasn't so long ago when business travel was drastically reduced and airlines were basically giving away benefits. I remember the first year I made 1K on United. At that time it was only because of all the double mile promotions that I moved up from Premier Exec. Then the economy got better and they implemented spend requirements. I'd expect in the next downturn, Marriott adds some new benefits, especially easier room upgrades (although I don't think there are a lot missing right now).
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
Arne has given us the largest hotel chain with a Rewards program second-to-none.
I love all of my Marriott benefits and the various perks that go along with being Titanium.
Is it perfect? Nope.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards program provide more and better benefits than any other hotel chain? ABSOLUTELY!
Thank you Arne Sorenson - CEO of the YEAR.
I wear this at every Marriott brand check-in:
Newman
I love all of my Marriott benefits and the various perks that go along with being Titanium.
Is it perfect? Nope.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards program provide more and better benefits than any other hotel chain? ABSOLUTELY!
Thank you Arne Sorenson - CEO of the YEAR.
I wear this at every Marriott brand check-in:
Newman
#34
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC - upper West Side
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,597
hotelboy,
Please don't think that the whiners, malcontents, and chronic kvetchers that knock Marriott and the Bonvoy program in this forum at every turn represent anything more than a blip.
They are a tiny percentage of the 125 million strong Marriott Rewards members that are more than satisfied with Marriott and Arne's great and proven leadership.
Newman
Please don't think that the whiners, malcontents, and chronic kvetchers that knock Marriott and the Bonvoy program in this forum at every turn represent anything more than a blip.
They are a tiny percentage of the 125 million strong Marriott Rewards members that are more than satisfied with Marriott and Arne's great and proven leadership.
Newman
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,198
Theres always some fanboys no matter what...
I suppose that these days slapping together a pile of marketing fluff with zero substance is enough to get around, pat each other on the back, and win awards.
I suppose that these days slapping together a pile of marketing fluff with zero substance is enough to get around, pat each other on the back, and win awards.
#36
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC - upper West Side
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,597
Newman
#37
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
One could argue that it's not just true "these days", but in fact always has been the case. The question is always who's doing the awarding, and what their motivation is. One of the may reasons we all should just generally ignore awards like this and form our own opinions.
#38
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,712
I know some FT'ers have had big problems with their accounts and unacceptable customer service interactions. But if not for FT, I would have no idea about any of that. For me PERSONALLY the merger has gone perfectly--no IT issues, no problem combining accounts, no trouble at any hotels, no delays or mistakes in posting points. The few times I've had to call customer service, I've gotten through quickly to competent agents who quickly resolved my minor issues. I just completed a stay this past weekend with my family where the hotel upgraded me to a huge presidential suite with two additional connecting bedrooms, delivered a complimentary personalized birthday cake for my daughter and decent bottle of wine for my wife and I, comped our valet parking, and all in all provided the kind of outstanding guest experience that made me start being loyal to Marriott over 25 years ago. On other recent business stays where it was just me, I've also gotten upgraded rooms (at the very least to the concierge floor) and have been greeted by smiling, professional associates at locations all over the country. The merger seems to be going okay for them, as well.
As hhoope01 said above, the merger may not be the unmitigated disaster that has seemed to become the consensus here on FT. Arne may be exactly correct that there are only issues "around the edges". Like I said, if not for FT, I absolutely would have agreed.
As hhoope01 said above, the merger may not be the unmitigated disaster that has seemed to become the consensus here on FT. Arne may be exactly correct that there are only issues "around the edges". Like I said, if not for FT, I absolutely would have agreed.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
American is the biggest airline in the world - doesn't make it the best, not by a long shot. Same goes with Marriott.
And if one thinks the Marriott rewards program is "second to none"...speaks to a lack of sampling other programs
And if one thinks the Marriott rewards program is "second to none"...speaks to a lack of sampling other programs
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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The only thing that improved is the selection of properties
#41
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I know some FT'ers have had big problems with their accounts and unacceptable customer service interactions. But if not for FT, I would have no idea about any of that. For me PERSONALLY the merger has gone perfectly--no IT issues, no problem combining accounts, no trouble at any hotels, no delays or mistakes in posting points.
I'm also in the minority as I don't have a hotel breakfast obsession and don't get bent out of shape over suite upgrades - its not like the bed is any better in a suite.
#42
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,643
I could be wrong but I don't think sock puppets are generally that well-traveled.
#43
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
I know some FT'ers have had big problems with their accounts and unacceptable customer service interactions. But if not for FT, I would have no idea about any of that. For me PERSONALLY the merger has gone perfectly--no IT issues, no problem combining accounts, no trouble at any hotels, no delays or mistakes in posting points. The few times I've had to call customer service, I've gotten through quickly to competent agents who quickly resolved my minor issues. I just completed a stay this past weekend with my family where the hotel upgraded me to a huge presidential suite with two additional connecting bedrooms, delivered a complimentary personalized birthday cake for my daughter and decent bottle of wine for my wife and I, comped our valet parking, and all in all provided the kind of outstanding guest experience that made me start being loyal to Marriott over 25 years ago. On other recent business stays where it was just me, I've also gotten upgraded rooms (at the very least to the concierge floor) and have been greeted by smiling, professional associates at locations all over the country. The merger seems to be going okay for them, as well.
As hhoope01 said above, the merger may not be the unmitigated disaster that has seemed to become the consensus here on FT. Arne may be exactly correct that there are only issues "around the edges". Like I said, if not for FT, I absolutely would have agreed.
As hhoope01 said above, the merger may not be the unmitigated disaster that has seemed to become the consensus here on FT. Arne may be exactly correct that there are only issues "around the edges". Like I said, if not for FT, I absolutely would have agreed.
I'm generally in agreement and as I follow the investment conference calls from various hotel operators, the experiences from some FT posters don't seem to be that widespread.
That being said, I think Arne is out of touch with his customers in a way that Bill would never have been. Because he is out of touch, some hotels are cheating the rules.
As for me, I'm getting suite upgrades most nights, my points are posting properly, and I'm getting good treatment at properties. For example, at a resort last week that I know doesn't like 4 PM checkouts, the GM emailed me in the morning to check on my stay. I told him I was having a great stay but asked for a 4 PM checkout because I had an evening flight. He OK'd it quickly.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,198
Its not just FT that has many unsatisfied/upset Marriott customers... if you go and look through the Marriott Insiders site there are numerous posts and complaints about similar issues of the customer service and website.
Now I'm not sure if any of the thread content there gets passed to corporate, but it is monitored by a team of people.
Now I'm not sure if any of the thread content there gets passed to corporate, but it is monitored by a team of people.
#45
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Bottom line, I'm sure the above isn't news to anyone, but ultimately it's a personal decision about what hotel company fits you best.