Jan 2, 2021, 3:05 am
Last edit by: yule_boy
For 2019 upgrade experiences check out the Post Your Marriott Bonvoy Elite Upgrade Experiences 2020 thread.
POSTING FORMAT
Property:
Date(s):
Room booked:
Room received:
Elite Level: (Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador)
Award stay: (yes/no), type (Points, PointSavers, C+P, Travel Package, CCFNA35K, CCFNA40K, etc.)
Rate Type: (Off Peak/Standard/Peak)
BRG stay: (yes/no)
SNAs redeemed: (yes/no)
Comments:
POSTING FORMAT
Property:
Date(s):
Room booked:
Room received:
Elite Level: (Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador)
Award stay: (yes/no), type (Points, PointSavers, C+P, Travel Package, CCFNA35K, CCFNA40K, etc.)
Rate Type: (Off Peak/Standard/Peak)
BRG stay: (yes/no)
SNAs redeemed: (yes/no)
Comments:
Post Your Marriott Bonvoy Elite Upgrade Experiences 2021
Mar 20, 2021, 3:49 pm
#91
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Springfield, MA
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 434
Alas, this is the very sad part of the story. I booked this trip specifically to use up my four free ecerts. I was told by the Marriott rep when I booked it, that there was no issue doing that. (Since then, I read the conditions and found out you can only use one.) I booked three other nights using points, initially at 40,000 points a night, but the rate dropped, and so I rebooked at 30,000 a night. After that, I rebooked two nights using the $250 travel credit on my Citi Prestige, and the last night using $250 new travel credit on my AMEX Platinum. When I arrived, I discovered that Marriott had deducted 150,000 points and given back the certs. The hotel called Marriott customer service, and let it ring for 15 minutes, and no one ever picked up. The hotel would not accept any cert at all-not even one-they said Marriott would have to fix it. The hotel put a ticket in after we had a long discussion and I said if I was booking on points, I would have booked 5 nights, and I would have booked at the 30,000 point rate (so 120,000 points for 5 nights), and the hotel should take one cert. They said Marriott had take the cert. After 6 emails to Marriott, contacting the lurkers her twice, contacting Marriott via Facebook twice, and calling Marriott twice, initially I was told that Marriott would be refunding my 150,000 points. When I called the last time, I was told that nothing was written up at all about refunding any points or taking a cert. The woman extended two certs, and gave me 25,000 points because she felt bad for how Marriott treated me. IIt was not cheap flying to Cozumel, and I had to pay for an expensive PCR COVID test to get back, too! I am not happy at all, and feel very ill used. I went to Cozumel specifically to use up these certs, and to have none used, and to spend money (for those rates cost more than the money refunded) for a night I could have free on points is ridiculous. Marriott customer service has been abysmal-and I was a Platinum, too! I also spent a good bit of money at the hotel (well over $1000!)
Mar 20, 2021, 4:17 pm
#92
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Alas, this is the very sad part of the story. I booked this trip specifically to use up my four free ecerts. I was told by the Marriott rep when I booked it, that there was no issue doing that. (Since then, I read the conditions and found out you can only use one.) I booked three other nights using points, initially at 40,000 points a night, but the rate dropped, and so I rebooked at 30,000 a night. After that, I rebooked two nights using the $250 travel credit on my Citi Prestige, and the last night using $250 new travel credit on my AMEX Platinum. When I arrived, I discovered that Marriott had deducted 150,000 points and given back the certs. The hotel called Marriott customer service, and let it ring for 15 minutes, and no one ever picked up. The hotel would not accept any cert at all-not even one-they said Marriott would have to fix it. The hotel put a ticket in after we had a long discussion and I said if I was booking on points, I would have booked 5 nights, and I would have booked at the 30,000 point rate (so 120,000 points for 5 nights), and the hotel should take one cert. They said Marriott had take the cert. After 6 emails to Marriott, contacting the lurkers her twice, contacting Marriott via Facebook twice, and calling Marriott twice, initially I was told that Marriott would be refunding my 150,000 points. When I called the last time, I was told that nothing was written up at all about refunding any points or taking a cert. The woman extended two certs, and gave me 25,000 points because she felt bad for how Marriott treated me. IIt was not cheap flying to Cozumel, and I had to pay for an expensive PCR COVID test to get back, too! I am not happy at all, and feel very ill used. I went to Cozumel specifically to use up these certs, and to have none used, and to spend money (for those rates cost more than the money refunded) for a night I could have free on points is ridiculous. Marriott customer service has been abysmal-and I was a Platinum, too! I also spent a good bit of money at the hotel (well over $1000!)
James
Mar 22, 2021, 7:30 am
#93
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: indonesia
Programs: IHG Plat; Marriot PLAT; Accor Silver
Posts: 9
Property: St Regis Bali
Date(s): March 2021 (2 nights)
Room booked: Gardenia Villa
Room received: Strand Villa
Elite Level: Platinum (no lifetime)
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Pre-Paid
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments : Best marriott hotel in Bali
Date(s): March 2021 (2 nights)
Room booked: Gardenia Villa
Room received: Strand Villa
Elite Level: Platinum (no lifetime)
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Pre-Paid
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments : Best marriott hotel in Bali
Mar 23, 2021, 6:23 am
#94
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,234
Property: The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
Date(s): 2 nights in March
Room booked: Athenee room (standard)
Room received: Athenee Suite
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: no
Rate Type:Free Dreams and 7 Wishes with THB 2,777 Credit Back
BRG stay: no
SNAs redeemed: Yes
Comments: -
Date(s): 2 nights in March
Room booked: Athenee room (standard)
Room received: Athenee Suite
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: no
Rate Type:Free Dreams and 7 Wishes with THB 2,777 Credit Back
BRG stay: no
SNAs redeemed: Yes
Comments: -
Mar 23, 2021, 12:51 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
I don’t understand how a full service property could get such a high rating, with so many misses as you described.
No room service? Jacuzzi/gym facilities not fully open (why? They don’t want to pay for cleaning employees?)
And the cherry on the cake - claiming a suite isn’t available because of “housekeeping restrictions.” What does that even mean? Why would those restrictions apply to every room?
Do they just leave the suite dirty until someone else books it, then send housekeeping to clean it? It’s not like you made the reservation in the lobby; they knew you were coming and had plenty of opportunity to clean and make ready the suite for you prior to arrival.
I would have accepted the junior suite as a place to wait until they got the suite ready for me. Please, stop compromising on elite standard and benefits for wealthy, selfish hotel owners and the benefit of their pocket. Trust me, the housekeeping staff who are barely getting by would love to get paid to clean another room, or two rooms (including the junior suite) for you!
No room service? Jacuzzi/gym facilities not fully open (why? They don’t want to pay for cleaning employees?)
And the cherry on the cake - claiming a suite isn’t available because of “housekeeping restrictions.” What does that even mean? Why would those restrictions apply to every room?
Do they just leave the suite dirty until someone else books it, then send housekeeping to clean it? It’s not like you made the reservation in the lobby; they knew you were coming and had plenty of opportunity to clean and make ready the suite for you prior to arrival.
I would have accepted the junior suite as a place to wait until they got the suite ready for me. Please, stop compromising on elite standard and benefits for wealthy, selfish hotel owners and the benefit of their pocket. Trust me, the housekeeping staff who are barely getting by would love to get paid to clean another room, or two rooms (including the junior suite) for you!
Mar 23, 2021, 8:37 pm
#96
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
I don’t understand how a full service property could get such a high rating, with so many misses as you described.
No room service? Jacuzzi/gym facilities not fully open (why? They don’t want to pay for cleaning employees?)
And the cherry on the cake - claiming a suite isn’t available because of “housekeeping restrictions.” What does that even mean? Why would those restrictions apply to every room?
Do they just leave the suite dirty until someone else books it, then send housekeeping to clean it? It’s not like you made the reservation in the lobby; they knew you were coming and had plenty of opportunity to clean and make ready the suite for you prior to arrival.
I would have accepted the junior suite as a place to wait until they got the suite ready for me. Please, stop compromising on elite standard and benefits for wealthy, selfish hotel owners and the benefit of their pocket. Trust me, the housekeeping staff who are barely getting by would love to get paid to clean another room, or two rooms (including the junior suite) for you!
No room service? Jacuzzi/gym facilities not fully open (why? They don’t want to pay for cleaning employees?)
And the cherry on the cake - claiming a suite isn’t available because of “housekeeping restrictions.” What does that even mean? Why would those restrictions apply to every room?
Do they just leave the suite dirty until someone else books it, then send housekeeping to clean it? It’s not like you made the reservation in the lobby; they knew you were coming and had plenty of opportunity to clean and make ready the suite for you prior to arrival.
I would have accepted the junior suite as a place to wait until they got the suite ready for me. Please, stop compromising on elite standard and benefits for wealthy, selfish hotel owners and the benefit of their pocket. Trust me, the housekeeping staff who are barely getting by would love to get paid to clean another room, or two rooms (including the junior suite) for you!
Upon check-in I had asked about getting an upgrade to a named suite, which in this hotel are all on the top floor, and the response was those suites were not prepared for occupancy unless specifically booked. I cannot imagine they are left dirty, but I think that whole floor might have been closed off. I did not go up there to investigate, but at a different Westin in DC last year, I was explicitly told that only a few floors were open for business (meaning many were "closed"). In Kansas City, I got the impression that many junior suites WERE available, and as that is what I booked, the FD check-in guy, who was professional and informative, said he would put me in the largest junior suite available on property. He also called me once I got to my suite to ask if it was large enough, and it was. That was the satisfactory end of that aspect of the stay. As a pre-merger Marriott elite, room upgrades have always been vanishingly rare, which is why I tend to books suites if I want a suite.
Room service is also rather rare at FS Bonvoy properties nowadays, so that didn't faze me. And my overall guest experience was above average. So maybe 7 out of 10 rather than 8. The gym and pool experiences do need a refresh. The garage is a bit of a maze. But it is an attractive, interesting property. If I was returning to KC, I would stay at this property again. The other property I like, The Raphael, is several dozen blocks south of downtown. That would be my alternate choice in KC.
Mar 24, 2021, 12:21 am
#97
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
So in this specific instance, I had booked a junior suite. I received a junior suite, which was an unusually large junior suite (larger than most 1BR suites actually).
Upon check-in I had asked about getting an upgrade to a named suite, which in this hotel are all on the top floor, and the response was those suites were not prepared for occupancy unless specifically booked. I cannot imagine they are left dirty, but I think that whole floor might have been closed off. I did not go up there to investigate, but at a different Westin in DC last year, I was explicitly told that only a few floors were open for business (meaning many were "closed"). In Kansas City, I got the impression that many junior suites WERE available, and as that is what I booked, the FD check-in guy, who was professional and informative, said he would put me in the largest junior suite available on property. He also called me once I got to my suite to ask if it was large enough, and it was. That was the satisfactory end of that aspect of the stay. As a pre-merger Marriott elite, room upgrades have always been vanishingly rare, which is why I tend to books suites if I want a suite.
Room service is also rather rare at FS Bonvoy properties nowadays, so that didn't faze me. And my overall guest experience was above average. So maybe 7 out of 10 rather than 8. The gym and pool experiences do need a refresh. The garage is a bit of a maze. But it is an attractive, interesting property. If I was returning to KC, I would stay at this property again. The other property I like, The Raphael, is several dozen blocks south of downtown. That would be my alternate choice in KC.
Upon check-in I had asked about getting an upgrade to a named suite, which in this hotel are all on the top floor, and the response was those suites were not prepared for occupancy unless specifically booked. I cannot imagine they are left dirty, but I think that whole floor might have been closed off. I did not go up there to investigate, but at a different Westin in DC last year, I was explicitly told that only a few floors were open for business (meaning many were "closed"). In Kansas City, I got the impression that many junior suites WERE available, and as that is what I booked, the FD check-in guy, who was professional and informative, said he would put me in the largest junior suite available on property. He also called me once I got to my suite to ask if it was large enough, and it was. That was the satisfactory end of that aspect of the stay. As a pre-merger Marriott elite, room upgrades have always been vanishingly rare, which is why I tend to books suites if I want a suite.
Room service is also rather rare at FS Bonvoy properties nowadays, so that didn't faze me. And my overall guest experience was above average. So maybe 7 out of 10 rather than 8. The gym and pool experiences do need a refresh. The garage is a bit of a maze. But it is an attractive, interesting property. If I was returning to KC, I would stay at this property again. The other property I like, The Raphael, is several dozen blocks south of downtown. That would be my alternate choice in KC.
Even worse that you actually paid for the junior suite. Why didn’t you cancel and rebook at check in (or ask for a rate adjustment) to a standard room and an upgrade to a junior suite?
Again, nowhere in the T&Cs does it state a carve out for a floor supposedly being closed to save the owner money. If a named suite is bookable, a standard suite, and unoccupied for that night, it should be an upgrade to a Platinum or higher member. Period.
I wish more would put their foot down and not let properties get away with this sort of nonsense, which fly in the face of the contract they signed to put up their BONVOY sign.
Mar 24, 2021, 1:32 am
#98
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 290
Property: Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort
Date(s): Mar, 2021 (1 night)
Room booked: Waikiki City View, Guest Room
Room received: Ocean Front, Guest Room
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: Yes, CCFNA35K (possible with PointSavers)
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Was quite pleased with the certificate redemption. My SO redeemed a 50K free night cert the night before at the Westin Moana Surfrider, and the Marriott room was a lot nicer.
Date(s): Mar, 2021 (1 night)
Room booked: Waikiki City View, Guest Room
Room received: Ocean Front, Guest Room
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: Yes, CCFNA35K (possible with PointSavers)
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Was quite pleased with the certificate redemption. My SO redeemed a 50K free night cert the night before at the Westin Moana Surfrider, and the Marriott room was a lot nicer.
Mar 26, 2021, 8:53 am
#99
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: indonesia
Programs: IHG Plat; Marriot PLAT; Accor Silver
Posts: 9
Property: Westin Jakarta
Date(s): Mar, 2021 (2 night)
Room booked: Westin King Guest room, 1 King, City view
Room received: Renewal King for first night, Executive Suite for second night
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: No
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Request for change room. I think Renewal King better than Executive Suite.
Date(s): Mar, 2021 (2 night)
Room booked: Westin King Guest room, 1 King, City view
Room received: Renewal King for first night, Executive Suite for second night
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: No
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Request for change room. I think Renewal King better than Executive Suite.
Mar 29, 2021, 9:17 pm
#100
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, IHG Diamond, Omni Platinum
Posts: 197
Property: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
Date(s): March 2021 - 7 nights - travel package
Room booked: Tropical View (base room)
Room received: Sirene - corner suite with gulf views
Elite Level: Titanium, Lifetime Silver
Award stay: Yes
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No (Attempted but declined)
Comments: I've been in the game for years and have had top tier status in many programs at various points, and this was the nicest room I've ever had. The hotel was sold out during my stay and my SNA attempt was declined, so I went in with no expectations of an upgrade and was very pleasantly surprised. I simply asked if a room in the Sirene tower was available and this is the room she gave me after speaking to someone on the phone for a few minutes. Well done Marriott! I've had my issues with the program since becoming a regular visitor of your hotels last year, but I think I'll make the push to Ambassador this year to see if I continue to have such nice treatment.
Date(s): March 2021 - 7 nights - travel package
Room booked: Tropical View (base room)
Room received: Sirene - corner suite with gulf views
Elite Level: Titanium, Lifetime Silver
Award stay: Yes
LNF stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No (Attempted but declined)
Comments: I've been in the game for years and have had top tier status in many programs at various points, and this was the nicest room I've ever had. The hotel was sold out during my stay and my SNA attempt was declined, so I went in with no expectations of an upgrade and was very pleasantly surprised. I simply asked if a room in the Sirene tower was available and this is the room she gave me after speaking to someone on the phone for a few minutes. Well done Marriott! I've had my issues with the program since becoming a regular visitor of your hotels last year, but I think I'll make the push to Ambassador this year to see if I continue to have such nice treatment.
Mar 30, 2021, 11:39 am
#101
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,234
Property: Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa
Date(s): 2 nights in March
Room booked: Grande Deluxe room (standard)
Room received: 1 Bedroom Suite
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: no
Rate Type: Member Rate Promotion
BRG stay: no
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: room was nice and spacious but had some minor maintenance issues. service was good overall. However, unlikely to return due to its location.
Date(s): 2 nights in March
Room booked: Grande Deluxe room (standard)
Room received: 1 Bedroom Suite
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: no
Rate Type: Member Rate Promotion
BRG stay: no
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: room was nice and spacious but had some minor maintenance issues. service was good overall. However, unlikely to return due to its location.
Mar 30, 2021, 11:42 am
#102
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
Property: Courtyard Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County
Date(s): 3/19-3/21
Room booked: Guest Room, 1 King
Room received: 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Escapes
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: My first ever stay as a Plat, going for a mattress run to get to Titanium faster during the double nights promotion. Asked for an upgrade through the app chat the morning of check-in. Disappointed that no breakfast of any sort was offered and the fitness center was closed, but they were kind enough to waive the parking fee since those amenities were unavailable.
Date(s): 3/19-3/21
Room booked: Guest Room, 1 King
Room received: 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King
Elite Level: Platinum
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Escapes
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: My first ever stay as a Plat, going for a mattress run to get to Titanium faster during the double nights promotion. Asked for an upgrade through the app chat the morning of check-in. Disappointed that no breakfast of any sort was offered and the fitness center was closed, but they were kind enough to waive the parking fee since those amenities were unavailable.
Mar 30, 2021, 7:47 pm
#103
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 40
Property: Delta Hotels by Marriott Burnaby Conference Centre
Date(s): 3/26-3/28
Room booked: Guest room, 2 Queen
Room received: Guest room, 1 King, City view
Elite Level: Gold
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Stay Longer Save More
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: It's a nice little hotel in between Metrotown and Brentwood Mall in Burnaby. Was given a choice of rooms between city view or mountain view. Rooms were kept pretty tidy. Services were minimal due to covid but expected. The place is also really quiet since the attached casino is closed.
Date(s): 3/26-3/28
Room booked: Guest room, 2 Queen
Room received: Guest room, 1 King, City view
Elite Level: Gold
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Stay Longer Save More
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: It's a nice little hotel in between Metrotown and Brentwood Mall in Burnaby. Was given a choice of rooms between city view or mountain view. Rooms were kept pretty tidy. Services were minimal due to covid but expected. The place is also really quiet since the attached casino is closed.
Mar 31, 2021, 6:31 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Boston
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 33
POSTING FORMAT
Property: TownePlace Suites Outer Banks Kill Devil Hills
Date(s): 3/30/21 - 5/1/21
Room booked: Studio, 2 Queen Inland View
Room received: Studio, 2 Queen Ocean View (Ocean view is a stretch, they call it "partial ocean view")
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: No
Rate Type: LTS Between standard and peak. 32 nights.
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: LTS is hard with upgrades but possibly will be able to move up to the 1BR (600sf vs 385sf). Very nice new hotel, right across the street from the beach. Good convenient location.
Property: TownePlace Suites Outer Banks Kill Devil Hills
Date(s): 3/30/21 - 5/1/21
Room booked: Studio, 2 Queen Inland View
Room received: Studio, 2 Queen Ocean View (Ocean view is a stretch, they call it "partial ocean view")
Elite Level: Titanium
Award stay: No
Rate Type: LTS Between standard and peak. 32 nights.
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: LTS is hard with upgrades but possibly will be able to move up to the 1BR (600sf vs 385sf). Very nice new hotel, right across the street from the beach. Good convenient location.
Apr 2, 2021, 5:18 pm
#105
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YXU / YUL
Programs: AA LT Gold, Aeroplan, Marriott Titanium (LT Platinum), HH Diamond
Posts: 407
Property: Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre
Date(s): 3 nights in March
Room booked: 1 Queen Bed, Room
Room received: Ambassador Suite
Elite Level: Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Stay 3 Save 30%
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Very spacious rooms. Living area had a sofa bed and dining set and the bedroom had a king bed and a sofa bed.
Date(s): 3 nights in March
Room booked: 1 Queen Bed, Room
Room received: Ambassador Suite
Elite Level: Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Award stay: No
Rate Type: Stay 3 Save 30%
BRG stay: No
SNAs redeemed: No
Comments: Very spacious rooms. Living area had a sofa bed and dining set and the bedroom had a king bed and a sofa bed.