m0mo

Hello,

Staying at a Marriott in the US and they insist that welcome gift is points by default and that there is not an option for me to choose a $10 F&B credit. They do have F&B open. They are stating that the Marriott website (https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/mem...s/guarantee.mi) is incorrect and void but has not been updated to reflect that correctly since the start of Covid.

Is that correct?

Thanks in advance!

nexusCFX

Not correct, you should name the property so others can avoid.

yrs

Is there a way to indicate preference of a welcome gift choice? I checked in the profile of my account, but was not able to locate it.

m0mo

I don't believe there is a way to indicate

Horace

Which brand? Marriott Hotels? Or a different Marriott Bonvoy brand?

The welcome gift options for Platinum Elite (and above) have not changed. They're defined in the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions. For properties branded as Marriott Hotels: "United States, Canada, Europe: 1,000 Points per Stay or U.S. $10 food and beverage ("F&B") credit per Stay," with $100 compensation for the failure to allow Platinum Elite (and above) guests to choose one of these. Look for the "ELITE WELCOME GIFT FOR PLATINUM ELITE MEMBERS AND ABOVE" table.

However, for several brands, including Marriott Vacation Club properties, points are the only welcome gift. And for still others, it's points or an "amenity" of undefined value... or points or daily breakfast for member + 1... or points or a daily F&B credit for member + 1.

wm47

For brands for which you have a choice between points and something else (F&B credit/snack item from hotel convenience store), Marriott generally defaults you to points but permits you to change that at front desk. This is a different approach than, for example, Hilton's My Way Benefits, where you can make your default election on the website or in the app.

m0mo

Marriott Marquis

nacho

I think it's some kind of Covid crap. If you look at the hotel page on the top right hand corner regarding hotel policy regarding Covid (where they say what to expect).

I have seen hotels stating that they only issue welcome points as the only gift choice, and I had to read through those to make sure that I know what to expect before I book which is a real PITA.

CIT85

All the Marriott properties I stayed in had default points for amenity. I had to tell each one that I prefer breakfast or F&B credit. This gets annoying if I always ask select breakfast.
This is one area that Marriott should change and allow us to indicate preference in our profile.

ohmark

Marriott Marquis=Marriott. Ask front desk for food and beverage credit. If they refuse, tell front desk you are invoking the $100 penalty for failure to provide the guaranteed benefit. If they refuse call Marriott.

nacho

I did get asked by FDC what I would like as welcome gift once in a while.

If you want points it's easier for the FDC, as they don't have to write out breakfast coupons or fix the bill.

It's even better if Marriott send the welcome gift choice in the email or even built into the app so we can pick it before our arrival (better with pictures if it's a gift).

DutchessPDX

Sheraton Grand in Seattle tried this with me in 2021. At check in they insisted that points were the only option because the restaurant was closed (though, I believe they had room service). I pushed back and asked for the $100 guarantee and they tried to use COVID as an excuse and when I showed them the guarantee they miraculously remembered that a $10 F&B credit was an option which also worked in the Starbucks downstairs. I ended up with two $10 vouchers per day as a result. You can get a decent breakfast at SBX for $10 a day. Was enough to get a snack for lunch too!

CIT85

A lot of Marriott properties (especially in the US) used the COVID excuse to deny breakfast benefits to Plat+ elites with Marriott corporate's blessing with the official suspension of elite benefits. I don't remember if/when Marriott reinstated elite benefits.

MePlatPremier

If you checked in on the app, points is indeed the default choice. The welcome gift has been offered and there is no need for the front desk
to volunteer it again, even if the guest is required to stop by to collect the roomkey or show ID.

If guests who checked-in on the app want something other than points, it is on the them to pass by the front desk and ask to change the choice of welcome gift.

Repooc17

I have it the other way for Marriott brand stays. I always choose points when checking in on the app, but for some weird reasons, during every Marriott stay, I would never get the 1K points, and would have to manually request. Never the case with any other brands - e.g. Westin, Courtyards