More Benefits for Ambassadors and Titaniums By Devaluing Platinum Benefits?
Jun 18, 2020, 5:02 pm
#76
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It's definitely nice to get a suite, but I agree with you on the last two points. IMO, they're the most important or else I would be with another chain.
Jun 18, 2020, 5:07 pm
#77
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Marriott knows this above all else, and it is perhaps for this reason that they don't particularly need to go out of their way to offer a best-in-class loyalty program: their portfolio is brilliant, their footprint is wide-ranging and they can cater to a wide enough audience that could be happy with their usual offerings to offset the "noise around the edges" of a more exacting elite echelon. I've been aching for a chance to shift my loyalty now that I've got LTP more or less in the bag, the only thing that keeps me looking back is Marriott's brand offering. I, like many of you, want a more rewarding loyalty offering, especially as the elite population swells and benefits blur towards the top end.
Non sequitur: looking at, say, Hyatt: footprint aside, there's something about their brands that isn't as instantly enticing as Marriott's stable even though Hyatt's are very good in their own respect. Perhaps their branding and repeated use of 'Hyatt' monotonizes the experience? I'm sure if Marriott pulled a similar stunt - i.e. Four Marriotts, Le Marriott, M Hotels Worldwide, Marriott Portfolio, The Marriott Collection, The Ritz-Marriott, St. Marriott - then perhaps their brand perception wouldn't be as well-rounded.
khabah
Non sequitur: looking at, say, Hyatt: footprint aside, there's something about their brands that isn't as instantly enticing as Marriott's stable even though Hyatt's are very good in their own respect. Perhaps their branding and repeated use of 'Hyatt' monotonizes the experience? I'm sure if Marriott pulled a similar stunt - i.e. Four Marriotts, Le Marriott, M Hotels Worldwide, Marriott Portfolio, The Marriott Collection, The Ritz-Marriott, St. Marriott - then perhaps their brand perception wouldn't be as well-rounded.
khabah
Jun 18, 2020, 5:19 pm
#78
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Clearly, one of the purposes of establishing a new 25-49 night Marriott Bonv°y Gold Elite status was to remove UA Premier Gold members from the 50-74 night Marriott Bonv°y Platinum Elite ranks entitled to lounge access. You were Bonv°yed!
Yet even 75+ night Marriott Bonv°y Titanium Elite members only receive lowly UA Premier Silver membership, without Star Alliance Gold lounge access. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
From a consumer perspective, it would be wonderful if UA Platinum got Marriott Platinum, and Marriott Titanium got UA Gold. But the lounges are getting filled up enough with U.S. credit card holders, so apparently they decided to eliminate the reciprocal hotel / airline partnership lounge access.
Yet that is a far cry from reducing lounge access to loyal Marriott Bonv°y Platinum Elite members.
Bonv°y!
Yet even 75+ night Marriott Bonv°y Titanium Elite members only receive lowly UA Premier Silver membership, without Star Alliance Gold lounge access. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
From a consumer perspective, it would be wonderful if UA Platinum got Marriott Platinum, and Marriott Titanium got UA Gold. But the lounges are getting filled up enough with U.S. credit card holders, so apparently they decided to eliminate the reciprocal hotel / airline partnership lounge access.
Yet that is a far cry from reducing lounge access to loyal Marriott Bonv°y Platinum Elite members.
Bonv°y!
Jun 18, 2020, 5:43 pm
#79
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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This thread has served its purpose, it’s managed to rile a lot of people up and produce a lot of chatter about something that isn’t going to happen. It’s the time honored FT tradition for some to suggest lowering/removing benefits for those one or more levels below the level they have while of course improving benefits at the level they have and above (because they’re the real best customers).
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Jun 18, 2020, 5:52 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 763
This thread has served its purpose, it’s managed to rile a lot of people up and produce a lot of chatter about something that isn’t going to happen. It’s the time honored FT tradition for some to suggest lowering/removing benefits for those one or more levels below the level they have while of course improving benefits at the level they have and above (because they’re the real best customers).
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Jun 18, 2020, 6:00 pm
#81
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This thread has served its purpose, it’s managed to rile a lot of people up and produce a lot of chatter about something that isn’t going to happen. It’s the time honored FT tradition for some to suggest lowering/removing benefits for those one or more levels below the level they have while of course improving benefits at the level they have and above (because they’re the real best customers).
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Personally I’ve been able to access the lounge via status for 9 years running now and I’ve never once thought “I wish there were fewer people here”. It’s a hotel, obviously there will be people. I go in, grab a drink and a bite and enjoy. It’s what keeps me loyal to Marriott.
Jun 18, 2020, 6:57 pm
#82
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You and I have been on FT for a while now. I've lost track how many of these threads I've seen over the years. As for lounge crowding and elite recognition problems, maybe these guys need to fly to Asia. My experience with Marriott in Asia compared to the US is night and day.
Contrast with Sheraton Garden Grove or the Sheraton LAX, no entry requirements, unauthorized people door crashing behind others who refuse to block them, lounge attendants don't care, no seating, food mess everywhere, children running around like animals, people carting off towers of food to bring to family waiting in their room, dirty hands digging into food bowls, reuse of dirty plates, noisy, chaotic and stressful. In other locations, long after the lounge was closed, I've stumbled on private parties guests seem entitled to use the lounge for until I can get security to throw them out.
The root cause is at the hotel level with a complete lack of policies and procedures, staff who don't give a crap, and guests allowed to run amok like animals. If we want the lounges to be a clean, comfortable, orderly place, there are simple changes that need to occur at the hotel management level, not changes at the loyalty level, aside from excluding members who are not full members due to some airline, credit card or car rental affiliation.
Jun 18, 2020, 7:40 pm
#83
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The entire hotel experience in Asia for SPG (Marriott) was night and day different from the same branded hotel in the USA - for example, Sheraton Taipei, Taiwan, the lounge has a check-in desk, only authorized guests are permitted in the lounge (additional guests have a very steep entry fee), countless beverages, ample snacks and full meal service for breakfast and dinner, lots of available seats, a clean, well maintained space, proper use of buffet (no hands, no reusing dirty dishes), no children, no noise.
Contrast with Sheraton Garden Grove or the Sheraton LAX, no entry requirements, unauthorized people door crashing behind others who refuse to block them, lounge attendants don't care, no seating, food mess everywhere, children running around like animals, people carting off towers of food to bring to family waiting in their room, dirty hands digging into food bowls, reuse of dirty plates, noisy, chaotic and stressful. In other locations, long after the lounge was closed, I've stumbled on private parties guests seem entitled to use the lounge for until I can get security to throw them out.
The root cause is at the hotel level with a complete lack of policies and procedures, staff who don't give a crap, and guests allowed to run amok like animals. If we want the lounges to be a clean, comfortable, orderly place, there are simple changes that need to occur at the hotel management level, not changes at the loyalty level, aside from excluding members who are not full members due to some airline, credit card or car rental affiliation.
Contrast with Sheraton Garden Grove or the Sheraton LAX, no entry requirements, unauthorized people door crashing behind others who refuse to block them, lounge attendants don't care, no seating, food mess everywhere, children running around like animals, people carting off towers of food to bring to family waiting in their room, dirty hands digging into food bowls, reuse of dirty plates, noisy, chaotic and stressful. In other locations, long after the lounge was closed, I've stumbled on private parties guests seem entitled to use the lounge for until I can get security to throw them out.
The root cause is at the hotel level with a complete lack of policies and procedures, staff who don't give a crap, and guests allowed to run amok like animals. If we want the lounges to be a clean, comfortable, orderly place, there are simple changes that need to occur at the hotel management level, not changes at the loyalty level, aside from excluding members who are not full members due to some airline, credit card or car rental affiliation.
Jun 18, 2020, 7:44 pm
#84
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
The entire hotel experience in Asia for SPG (Marriott) was night and day different from the same branded hotel in the USA - for example, Sheraton Taipei, Taiwan, the lounge has a check-in desk, only authorized guests are permitted in the lounge (additional guests have a very steep entry fee), countless beverages, ample snacks and full meal service for breakfast and dinner, lots of available seats, a clean, well maintained space, proper use of buffet (no hands, no reusing dirty dishes), no children, no noise.
anyways, it appears that our opinions differ. if I didn’t include titanium/ambassador in the original post, then the conversation might be a little different on the whole club certificate with full breakfast for plats.
Jun 18, 2020, 7:46 pm
#85
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Of course, no doubt. But Asian consumers also expect a higher standard than the bulk of American consumers, that’s why Marriott has other brands are able to get away with offering a much lower level of service at domestic properties. The same holds true for airlines, compare CX or SQ or EK on a 2-4 hour flight vs. AA/DL/UA.
Jun 18, 2020, 8:08 pm
#86
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, United Gold, Pualani Gold
Posts: 69
Ha, that's true. Courtyards in Asia do have better service and lounges than Marriotts in the States. Also, true for many Marriott/SPG properties throughout Europe where I've enjoyed way more upgrades and lounges that are quieter with better alcohol selection.
Jun 18, 2020, 10:37 pm
#87
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all true until I got to the part of no children, no noise, as I was pre Covid (and hopefully continued visits post Covid) a frequent guest at this specific property (but now split stay between here and the Courtyard Dtwn and the Marriott). I can tell you this lounge (pre Covid) has been full on most days and nights and crowded on weekends. Kids run around screaming like it’s a day care, and especially on the weekend. (Well documented in property specific thread and TA reviews) Attendants while very professional in all aspects of the job don’t feel the need to patrol them as it “antagonizes” the guest experience per my discussions with them. Management problem, maybe.
anyways, it appears that our opinions differ. if I didn’t include titanium/ambassador in the original post, then the conversation might be a little different on the whole club certificate with full breakfast for plats.
anyways, it appears that our opinions differ. if I didn’t include titanium/ambassador in the original post, then the conversation might be a little different on the whole club certificate with full breakfast for plats.
Jun 18, 2020, 10:39 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Of course, no doubt. But Asian consumers also expect a higher standard than the bulk of American consumers, that’s why Marriott has other brands are able to get away with offering a much lower level of service at domestic properties. The same holds true for airlines, compare CX or SQ or EK on a 2-4 hour flight vs. AA/DL/UA.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:22 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I don't get the obsession with free breakfast worth $30 on a $350 hotel room. If I'm traveling for work, I just expense breakfast and don't really benefit if it's free with my status anyway. If I'm traveling for personal reasons, at a lot of hotels I'd rather have breakfast not in the hotel unless the hotel has a spectacular Asian-style buffet, so it's at best a 'nice to have' for me.
Ambassador SNAs clear from 7 nights out, Titanium from 5 nights out and Platinum from 3 nights out would be an easy start if it weren't for Marriott's IT systems. Airlines in the US appear to manage this kind of upgrade prioritization almost without issue, I always find it funny how hotel loyalty programmes are like a decade or more behind airline loyalty programmes for whatever reason.
Ambassador SNAs clear from 7 nights out, Titanium from 5 nights out and Platinum from 3 nights out would be an easy start if it weren't for Marriott's IT systems. Airlines in the US appear to manage this kind of upgrade prioritization almost without issue, I always find it funny how hotel loyalty programmes are like a decade or more behind airline loyalty programmes for whatever reason.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:42 am
#90
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LCY
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, QR Privilege Club, MB LT Plt (1K+ nights thx MB)
Posts: 1,038
I don't get the obsession with free breakfast worth $30 on a $350 hotel room. If I'm traveling for work, I just expense breakfast and don't really benefit if it's free with my status anyway. If I'm traveling for personal reasons, at a lot of hotels I'd rather have breakfast not in the hotel unless the hotel has a spectacular Asian-style buffet, so it's at best a 'nice to have' for me.
Ambassador SNAs clear from 7 nights out, Titanium from 5 nights out and Platinum from 3 nights out would be an easy start if it weren't for Marriott's IT systems. Airlines in the US appear to manage this kind of upgrade prioritization almost without issue, I always find it funny how hotel loyalty programmes are like a decade or more behind airline loyalty programmes for whatever reason.
Ambassador SNAs clear from 7 nights out, Titanium from 5 nights out and Platinum from 3 nights out would be an easy start if it weren't for Marriott's IT systems. Airlines in the US appear to manage this kind of upgrade prioritization almost without issue, I always find it funny how hotel loyalty programmes are like a decade or more behind airline loyalty programmes for whatever reason.
Last edited by X-ON; Jun 19, 2020 at 1:58 am