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Color me silly, but I think we're all in agreement at this point the OP was a bit over the top w/ his/her assesment of MR being the worst ever. Each program has its pros & cons, and each person has to decide what works for him/her. There is no best, just as there is no worse. 'Nuf said.
Cheers. |
Marriott weekend bf
Originally Posted by djohannw
(Post 15737064)
I think the OP has summarized the critic that we all have on MR's Elite-recognition in one post. Maybe one topic is more important than another for each of us, but all things mentioned by the OP are around here for ages when it comes to the "shortfalls" of MR.
Especially the non-integration of Courtyards in terms of Elite-benefits bugs me very much as well up to the point I will avoid these unless the specific Courtyard is one of the few that offers the benefits important to me. Especially in Europe where a Courtyard can run over 300€ at times (try Munich during Oktoberfest or Hannover during large trade fairs) or can be generally more expensive than the Full-Service properties in the same city, not offering breakfast to Elites and only a usually very dull amenity to Plats seems nuts to me. Also the no points for incidentials clause drives me away from the hotel-restaurant and other services at Courtyards... Same with the weekend breakfast issue (we have a sticky thread here to dicuss this) and the no breakfast at resort issue: These are frequently discussed here as well. So all in all while the wording of the OP may be a little harsh, hie experiences summarize the consolidated gripes we all have with MR... Greetings - Dirk |
Originally Posted by iflyjetz
(Post 15740653)
Yep. And both the Courtyard issue and Ritz issue are well documented on this board.
There are times that I'm also unhappy with Marriott, but my gripe goes toward upgrades and suites. I find the best way to break out of that gripe is to take a mini vacation to The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance. No free breakfast (it's a resort), but each time I've stayed there, the room upgrade has been awesome. I'll have to add the Vegas JW and Eden Roc to the list of places I'll go when I'm frustrated with upgrades. I haven't been to Eden Roc yet, but the Vegas JW gave us a beautiful 2 bedroom suite for New Years. No free breakfast at Vegas JW either, but free while free breakfast is nice, it's not a dealbreaker for me. If free breakfast is the #1 priority, stil with HHonors. If suite upgrades are the #1 priority, stick with Starwood and stay at Westins/Ws. All around, Marriott has been my best choice. I just retired from my job in the AF Reserves and can now coast to lifetime status. In the last four years, the AF had me in hotels so much that I was able to rack up enough nights to be within 13 nights and 200K points of lifetime status. I'll have no problem getting both of those over the next three years (I've only been in the program for 9 years) with the MR Premier Visa. Well, I'll have to watch the points; I will likely need to work on that just a bit. Since I won't be traveling nearly as much, it's really nice that I'll be able to maintain Plat status for the rest of my life. Worst elite program? Hardly. |
Originally Posted by BusTrav8yrs
(Post 15752977)
I was HH Diamond for many years until last year. Went back to MR because of the new point redemtion chart and an unpleasent experience at the Hilton on the big island. I stayed 90+ nights/yr with Hilton and never felt like their top tier and seemed to have to beg for upgrades half the time.
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Originally Posted by Allvest
(Post 15758181)
Marriott and renaissance as well as courtyard in Thailand give bf in their restaurant or lounge. If Marriott copied the Thailand procedure and service level worldwide, they would win many converts...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/4367451644/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/5208400774/ BTW, both property lounges open 7 days a week for breakfast, high tea, happy cocktail hours, etc. Check out both sets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/...7622147537990/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/...7623281787891/ |
Originally Posted by Kalboz
(Post 15764141)
Not entirely true ... I've had well over 120 nights at these properties and unless it's included in your rate (at the JW Marriott Bangkok or the Renaissance Ratchaprasong), you are having the breakfast at their fabulous lounge. However, the breakfast at these lounges is equal or better than the best breakfast at any US joint.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/4367451644/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/5208400774/ BTW, both property lounges open 7 days a week for breakfast, high tea, happy cocktail hours, etc. Check out both sets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/...7622147537990/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/...7623281787891/ Going to Renaissance Bangkok in a week, so will see what happens. |
Originally Posted by travelexpert
(Post 15755907)
Chris Nasetta immediately informing Starwood once he knew about these documents is not the way this saga has been reported.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...settled-3.html Saw a recent post in Hotels Magazine (for industry insiders) that quoted a survey--only 13% of Hilton employees believe that Mr. Nasetta is an effective leader. There was no comparable info for Marriott. Other than to say that in several of the past years Marriott gets very high ratings as a great place to work. Even though I have multiple misgivings about Marriott from a customer perspective--I admire their leadership in spades. I have read that article and the many others on the topic over the past few years....Chris isn't silly enough to be involved in something as silly as this But for what it's worth I sold my HMT stock years before Chris became CEO - after very little movement over a several year period I didn't see a reason to hold onto it (the only reason I had it was from the MAR/HMT split) |
What leaves me scratching my beard is that OP claims to be Platinum - it took you staying at Marriott properties for 75 nights before you realized the program wasn't for you?
:confused: |
Originally Posted by Cargojon
(Post 15769095)
What leaves me scratching my beard is that OP claims to be Platinum - it took you staying at Marriott properties for 75 nights before you realized the program wasn't for you?
:confused: |
I am a very happy Platinum, the problem being maintaining the status when living in Europe and not being a business traveler. I did not try yet what seems the best value of the program judging from what I read here : the travel packages.
Anyway apart from business travelers this program is designed for Americans and Brits, who can accumulate nights with Marriott credit cards. So I don't know if I will stick to Marriott or switch to Radisson, which is also a very good choice in Europe. I will think of it if I go back being Silver in 2013. I never had a bad experience in a Radisson property which was not immediately cared for, and I could not say the same with Marriott (recurring heating problem at Courtyard Neuilly (France) would be usually solved within a 6 year period time elsewhere, to mention the most extreme). What I read about Hilton does not entice me to switch for this program, even if I had a good experience as a non-elite at Hilton Vienna. And Hyatt is more expensive that Marriott in Europe. I am not going to complain not spending my life in hotels, thus maybe Radisson with top-tier elite at 35 nights would be a more reasonable option for me. At least it is my second option when there's not Marriott around. |
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