Last edit by: seawolf
Per Marriott Lurker II in post #608:
Due to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, our Elite Benefit compensation related to our Ultimate Reservation Guarantee, Room Type Guarantee, Welcome Gifts, and Lounge access has been placed on hold.
We appreciate your understanding during these challenging times.
Changes to Marriott Bonvoy Stays and Services Due to Covid (Discussion Thread)
#31
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
I’m not too worked up about the suspension of some benefits, and keep in mind they’ve extended our status for an entire year.
#32
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 210
It's hard enough traveling during this time, nobody wants to be on the road, but there are jobs out there that still require it in essential industries - and handing out a bagged muffin or bagel, piece of fruit, and coffee would cost almost nothing and involved no human contact.
Nobody is expecting a full buffet. But instead, they're asking guests to choose between the risk of grocery shopping and bringing COVID back to the hotel, or waiting in a long crowded drive through where the worker has been touching credit cards all day, or getting delivery from who knows where.
Nobody is expecting a full buffet. But instead, they're asking guests to choose between the risk of grocery shopping and bringing COVID back to the hotel, or waiting in a long crowded drive through where the worker has been touching credit cards all day, or getting delivery from who knows where.
#34
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
It's hard enough traveling during this time, nobody wants to be on the road, but there are jobs out there that still require it in essential industries - and handing out a bagged muffin or bagel, piece of fruit, and coffee would cost almost nothing and involved no human contact.
Nobody is expecting a full buffet. But instead, they're asking guests to choose between the risk of grocery shopping and bringing COVID back to the hotel, or waiting in a long crowded drive through where the worker has been touching credit cards all day, or getting delivery from who knows where.
Nobody is expecting a full buffet. But instead, they're asking guests to choose between the risk of grocery shopping and bringing COVID back to the hotel, or waiting in a long crowded drive through where the worker has been touching credit cards all day, or getting delivery from who knows where.
I’m starting to sound like a Marriott apologist, I’m not, but there’s been some misinformation posted on this thread.
#35
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 210
They’re not. I’ve been offered grab-n-go bags, usually a muffin, a hard boiled egg, a fruit, and a little juice cup. Feels like a school lunch, but it’s something and I’m fine with it.
I’m starting to sound like a Marriott apologist, I’m not, but there’s been some misinformation posted on this thread.
I’m starting to sound like a Marriott apologist, I’m not, but there’s been some misinformation posted on this thread.
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 453
Staying at the Residence Inn Convention Center Orlando. They have opened everything except the fitness center and breakfast buffet. They exceeded my expectations by offering a grab and go breakfast option. They had coffee, the bread box which included individually wrapped muffins, breads, and Belgian waffles. They had a fridge with yogurts, fruit cups, hard boiled eggs, and burritos (hotel made with sausage, potato, and egg). They also had instant oatmeal packets and the juice machine available. Walk through, pickup a bag, grab what you want, and go eat in your room or by the pool.
Had a small miss with housekeeping (which is by request), but over all really pleased at their implementation currently in place.
Had a small miss with housekeeping (which is by request), but over all really pleased at their implementation currently in place.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,267
Since April I’ve stayed at the following hotel brands and have observed the following in 18 stays.
1x Ritz Carlton (Santa Barbara) - No Breakfast - Points Only for Plt and Above
7x Courtyard - All Bistros Closed and $10 F&B Credit for the Market Only
4x SpringHill Suites - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Towneplace - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
3x Fairfield Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Aloft (Tempe) - No Breakfast - Points Only
1x Residence Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Ritz Carlton (Santa Barbara) - No Breakfast - Points Only for Plt and Above
7x Courtyard - All Bistros Closed and $10 F&B Credit for the Market Only
4x SpringHill Suites - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Towneplace - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
3x Fairfield Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Aloft (Tempe) - No Breakfast - Points Only
1x Residence Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
#38
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
Since April I’ve stayed at the following hotel brands and have observed the following in 18 stays.
1x Ritz Carlton (Santa Barbara) - No Breakfast - Points Only for Plt and Above
7x Courtyard - All Bistros Closed and $10 F&B Credit for the Market Only
4x SpringHill Suites - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Towneplace - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
3x Fairfield Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Aloft (Tempe) - No Breakfast - Points Only
1x Residence Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Ritz Carlton (Santa Barbara) - No Breakfast - Points Only for Plt and Above
7x Courtyard - All Bistros Closed and $10 F&B Credit for the Market Only
4x SpringHill Suites - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Towneplace - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
3x Fairfield Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
1x Aloft (Tempe) - No Breakfast - Points Only
1x Residence Inn - Breakfast To Go (Bag)
#39
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,267
Likewise, most of my travels have been to the boonies like Idaho Falls, Medford, or Bend for example so not a lot of experience with full service hotels but I will say I am impressed by SpringHill Suites and would stay there more often if it was an option.
#40
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
This happened to me last week at Marriott Hilton Head.
The restaurant had reopened but titanium breakfast welcome amenity was denied as the hotel said Marriott had temporarily suspended some benefits including the complimentary breakfast.
The restaurant had reopened but titanium breakfast welcome amenity was denied as the hotel said Marriott had temporarily suspended some benefits including the complimentary breakfast.
I can already see it ....
- "I like to request late check out at 4PM visa vi my Platinum Status "
-"Sorry Sir due to the Covid-19 outbreak we have suspended this benefit"
-"However you can pay $100 for a 4PM late check out"
OR
- "I like to choose buffet breakfast as my welcome benefit visa vi my Platinum Status "
-"Sorry Sir due to the Covid-19 outbreak we have suspended this benefit"
-"However you can pay $35 for a Breakfast in the Restaurant"
- "I like to request late check out at 4PM visa vi my Platinum Status "
-"Sorry Sir due to the Covid-19 outbreak we have suspended this benefit"
-"However you can pay $100 for a 4PM late check out"
OR
- "I like to choose buffet breakfast as my welcome benefit visa vi my Platinum Status "
-"Sorry Sir due to the Covid-19 outbreak we have suspended this benefit"
-"However you can pay $35 for a Breakfast in the Restaurant"
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
I agree with the aforementioned comment about suspensions of standards. I would hope that Marriott would make clear that if amenities are available, they need to be available to all Bonvoy/SPG Members and not for additional fees. I would imagine Marriott can, and would want to enforce that for their sake. I also think they need to publicly show they are giving flexibility to the hotels, many of whom would be in violation of state orders if they were maintaining brand standards. I also hope (and this may be too much to hope) that Marriott would ask hotels when possible to allow for a reasonable substitute (no free breakfast, but a free snack from the pantry for example).
#42
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 286
Currently staying at the Current - Tampa Bay, I see what I did there. 750 pts in lieu of bfast for a 6 night stay. Pretty frustrating considering they're doing "room service" via partnering w a restaurant across street. That and the fact that pretty much everything in Tampa is open and the hotel seems to have a decent number of guests. Wish I had opted for the Epicurean instead.
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,160
So along with this, are these hotels still charging the 'destination amenity' or 'resort fee' ?
Can't work both ways, if they remove benefits then they also should remove resort/destination fees.
Can't work both ways, if they remove benefits then they also should remove resort/destination fees.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,160
And thats the problem here... we know that a lot more hotels will be using this to deny benefits even when they have restaurants/offerings open. Totally against the intent and spirit of the temporary suspension (which is that it is suspended if a hotel's food service is closed/unavailable). It'll likely get worse as bookings start to increase and hotels start using this to deny room choices and upgrades etc.
#45
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,267
Indeed! That's a primary frustration that I've had to be honest with Resort/Destination Fees still being charged while the offerings are not available.