cmd320

What status do you carry with Marriott?

Oxon Flyer

Folks, it’s time to move on and leave the thread for those who have something new to contribute to the discussion.

FT doesn’t work at all well when threads become dominated by the same posters repeating the same things in post after post after post.

skywalkerLAX

"Common people" don't pay $500 per night for a hotel room.

Kacee

Initially refused 4 pm check-out at Essex House because "housekeeping is on a limited schedule." I replied (a) it's guaranteed, and (b) I'm willing to be flexible and move to another room (currently in a Junior Suite), but I need a room to work in. They agreed to move me to a base room next door.

cmd320

This too had been a problem long before COVID. I’m of the opinion that if you cannot guarantee 4pm checkout then don’t upgrade me to that room or give me that choice at check in whether I want to be upgraded with a standard checkout or stay in my booked room category until 4.

Kacee

I used SNAs, so the upgrade was confirmed in advance. The issue is that they only have two floors open (and thus only four junior suites total), and housekeeping staff leaves at 3:30 pm. They did not warn me at check-in of this limitation, despite my request via the app for a 4 pm check-out.

I'm not sure why this property is even bothering to stay open with all the limitations. Can't remember the last time I stayed somewhere you had to leave the hotel for coffee in the morning.

Update: Now I know why they're staying open . . . at check-out, FDA mentioned they're staying open because they have full time residents.

MSPeconomist

Please let's not give hotels another excuse to avoid granting elite upgrades which are a published benefit of the program.

Note that I consider it perfectly fair to give someone an upgrade to a specialty suite with the condition that a 4 pm checkout will/might not be possible--I've gladly taken that deal myself--but ordinary upgrades shouldn't require agreement not to claim other elite benefits. What if the hotel had said that you could get an upgraded room only if you agreed to forego breakfast or bonus points based on status?

cmd320

Fair enough. My main concern is that if I need 4pm checkout, I don't want to be automatically upgraded and then told later on that I can't have 4pm checkout because of my upgrade. I have no problem if at check in I'm given the option of upgrade or 4pm, I just don't want to be told at 11am the day I'm supposed to leave that I have to be out in one hour as opposed to 4pm.

lsquare

I got a 6 PM check-out at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver earlier this month.

lsquare

I love 4 PM check-out. I always take advantage of it. I didn't even realized how valuable it was until I became a Marriott Platinum. It's so being able to sleep in especially if my flight is in the evening. It's even better not having to join the crowd trying to check-out at noon.

cocacolaenjoy1

I recently stayed at the Fairfield Rehoboth Beach and was declined a 4pm due to COVID. Also no hot food was offered even togo. I wish that these hotels would communicate before I get to the front desk as the only reason I continue my business with Marriott are for the SNA and 4pm checkout. I am lifetime platinum and titanium elite with 120 nights and 7k spend. I have called the Marriott elite line only to be told the 4pm checkout is based upon availability which I pointed out at resorts and conference hotels. The agent said no, its always based on availability. I wonder how Amex FHR are handing their hotels as its in a contract? These hotels are definitely using COVID as an excuse to cut benefits and it seems Marriott doesn't care about loyal guest. I have had great experiences at the Sheraton Portland Airport which everything in the lounge is prepackaged and the Phoenician but I feel that some hotels are making COVID work for them.

MSPeconomist

I'd contact Marriott/Bonvoy since you have written signed evidence that this property is refusing to even consider late checkouts for elites, although I don't expect them to do anything. You should also report the agent's abysmal lack of knowledge about the basics of the program.

OT but IME FHR is good at following up when a hotel tries to refuse to honor the program's T&C. I've never had an issue with a 4 pm checkout on a FHR reservation, which is why I often use FHR rather than Virtuoso or Hyatt Prive, etc.

cmd320

For sure.

Another property to add to the avoid list.

DJ_Iceman

Am I the only one who's disappointed that a GM of a hotel (even a FI) would issue a letter with so many typos and grammatical errors?

MSPeconomist

Yes but it might not be a native English speaker.