Mass Ambassador Layoffs
Aug 28, 2020, 2:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Bounding Around The Good 'Ole USA In My Chevrolet
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 381
Mass Ambassador Layoffs
Marriott announced today that they are laying off most Ambassador Services personnel. Layoffs will happen in October but affected persons were notified today.
Aug 28, 2020, 3:19 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
Aug 28, 2020, 5:46 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Looks like a lot of Ambassador agents self-identifying and breaking the news via various social media platforms. Sad, just as has been every other element of this whole mess. But without people traveling, Marriott simply can't just fill chairs with agents waiting for calls that never come, unfortunately. We're in a tough spot - sobering to hear top epidemiologists and public health folks say that, 6 months in, we're really still in the "first act" of this.
Aug 28, 2020, 6:04 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
Looks like a lot of Ambassador agents self-identifying and breaking the news via various social media platforms. Sad, just as has been every other element of this whole mess. But without people traveling, Marriott simply can't just fill chairs with agents waiting for calls that never come, unfortunately. We're in a tough spot - sobering to hear top epidemiologists and public health folks say that, 6 months in, we're really still in the "first act" of this.
Aug 28, 2020, 6:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Aug 28, 2020, 6:27 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Bounding Around The Good 'Ole USA In My Chevrolet
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 381
Aug 28, 2020, 6:36 pm
#11
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 feel badly for anyone who gets laid off; having gone through it myself, I know how painful and confidence-busting the experience can be. I hope all the Ambassadors get other fulfilling jobs or, when the time comes for Marriott to staff that team back up, they can return.
That being said, my personal experiences with members of the Ambassador team have been 90% lackluster and unimpressive. Most of the time I didn't get the sense the person exhibited Marriott's "spirit to serve" let alone understood the needs of dealing with their more frequent and loyal guests. When Marriott does eventually staff back up, I hope they will be very selective in hiring for these positions. I think they can do better than they have in the past.
That being said, my personal experiences with members of the Ambassador team have been 90% lackluster and unimpressive. Most of the time I didn't get the sense the person exhibited Marriott's "spirit to serve" let alone understood the needs of dealing with their more frequent and loyal guests. When Marriott does eventually staff back up, I hope they will be very selective in hiring for these positions. I think they can do better than they have in the past.
Aug 28, 2020, 6:57 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(1 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 884
Agree. Hate what this situation has done to many people. On a side note: as stated above, does this totally negate the Ambassador level? I have had good experiences with my ambassador and even the general ambassador service. If they take away the personal touch, whats the point? will they keep a skeleton crew?
Aug 28, 2020, 6:59 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
Agree. Hate what this situation has done to many people. On a side note: as stated above, does this totally negate the Ambassador level? I have had good experiences with my ambassador and even the general ambassador service. If they take away the personal touch, whats the point? will they keep a skeleton crew?
Aug 28, 2020, 7:25 pm
#15
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
Requiring anything over ~$12K spend in addition to the 100 nights next year for Ambassador will be a total joke