Marriott rewards - WORST Elite Program
 

Hello! I am new to Marriott Platinum.. I stayed 75 Nights in a 100 day period and stay roughly 240 nights per year. Coming from Diamond at Hilton and Platinum at SPG... Here is what I found that is frustrating..

Courtyards
- Minimal Elite recognition,
- No Room upgrades.. 200 bonus points for Platinum is lousy. SPG gives 500 and their points are far more valuable
- No free breakfast - What a joke!! Hilton Garden Inn gives even Golds free breakfast! Courtyards are usually expensive for what they are.. why not give Plats free breakfast
- Worst of all - NO POINTS FOR INCIDENTALS!! I spend a fortune on this stuff even at Courtyards (some have the Bistro)
Marriott Full service
- No free breakfast or Concierge upgrades on weekends at full service properties
- Stayed at Marriott World Center, No upgrade and No free breakfast since they do not have a concierge lounge(surprising for a $289 per night hotel)
Ritz Carlton
- NO POINTS for incidentals. Spend $400 per night at Ritz Ft Lauderdale. Received no room upgrade and no points for the total $750 I spend in massages and food.


I guess I am still new and have no gripes of the other program. I love Marriott's hotels but looks like it is just not a right fit for me. They require 75 nights and restrict you every step of the way... Am I the only one seeing that being Platinum is a VERY minimal benefit if at all??

Clearly at case of DYKWIA?!!!
About half your claim are correct.....

Read this...

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/elite.mi

I have been reading up on it now. Look at the difference between Gold and Platinum, All they give you extra is a few bonus points at check in and a 50% bonus versus 25%. Certainly the most incremental Gold-Platinum upgrade out of the major brands...do you not agree? Why use Marriott when everyone else treats you better? What am I missing?

As a Marriott Platinum and HH Diamond, I can say from experience that each program has its advantages and disadvantages. We could go on forever as to which program does this or that better, but the bottom line is this: what do _you_ want from a hotel loyalty program? Find the program that fits your needs the best and stay there.

In your opinion, what advatage does the Marriott Program have over Hilton?

I'm a Platinum currently staying at a Courtyard and I am upgraded to a very nice room. It's got a separate bedroom and a large sitting room/work area. Certainly much nicer than my usual room at this hotel (first time here as a Platinum). So, upgrades do happen at Courtyards.

Yes, but thank you for your rigorous and dispassionate evaluation of Platinum benefits.

Bingo. We have a winner.

FWIW - I usually disregard threads that are the WORST ever re: of the elite program, whether airline, hotel or car rental. I refer you back to the quote above.

Cheers.

Here is why I'm loyal....In a 100 plus nights I've had three small issuses....very very small, but I noted them in follow up survey I received. Each and every time I've received a email from the GM saying they will correct the issues and give me bonus points to my account. The staff at Marriott as a whole is way better then any other chain I've stayed at and I do like the "Travel Package" award program.

As a GM I've received many upgrades to suites. A lot has to with your attitude when you check-in and also don't be afraid to ask. I always say when i check in i prefer the highest level room you have and fairest from the elevator as I'm a light sleeper. 9 times out of 10 I get a great room. I will give you SPG has a great rewards program and points are more flexible.

The key to earning a fair amount of points is taking advantage of Mega Bonus. Over half my points are earned that way and if it wasn't offered I probably won't be with MR.

Are you taking advantage of Mega Bonus?

You've clearly not reviewed the Priority Club benefits (or lack thereof!). However, I left HH because their properties are shabbier and staff ruder in general. I have always been treated well at MR properties and personally think the properties are more consistent.

HH points are more than worthless and inflated (really - 15K a night for a Hampton Inn in bumf*ck, TN that clearly used to be a motel 6??). A colleague of mine was a HH addict and I MR following a fallout with HH. We both booked a week at a full service hotel on Waikiki beach. Her with HH and me with MR - just for sh!ts and giggles to compare. Hers - literally twice as many points. A Joke.

So I disagree with you on the worst program ever. It's definitely above PC and HH.

Sounds like 90% of your gripes would be resolved if you stopped staying at Cortyards and Ritz's.

Also- Marriott World Center doesn't provide free breakfast or have a CL because it is a resort. The CL benefit has little to do with room rates and everything to do with the resort/non-resort classification in Marriott world- always determine this before staying so you know what to expect.

I see the point the OP is making. as a HH Diamond and MR Platinum (now Premiere...whoop de doooooo), the elite benefits feel minimal. at hilton, i almost always got an upgrade to a suite. at MR, i've gotten it twice in many many years (once last weekend and took about 8 calls to the PP desk).

i agree w/the breakfast issue as well. i knew that whatever HH property i was at, i would get breakfast any day. with MR, i have to do so much research.

when things went wrong at hilton (not often), they WAY made up for it. i'd compare it to UA type compensation. MR is minimal. a thousand points here and there versus hilton would refund my entire room rate, or send me a $150 gift card.

so why do i stay at MR? MMF and lifetime program...but definitely for the other elite beneifts or lack thereof.

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

I am both MPlat and HDiamond (though MGold would suffice).

Marriott scores big:

1. Travel Package + All-Inclusive Package + transfer airline points when airline is offering transfer bonus.
2. EEO certificates (especially great for Sat/Sunday combo since Sunday night considered weekday rate)
3. Mega Bonus and Bonus Bucks offers fill-in during non-EEO periods
4. Circumvent no free breakfast issue by booking the S4B rate ($10 more for most Marriotts that I stay at)

Highlight #2 : Atlanta for Monday morning appointment combined with personal trip. I book Saturday $89 S4B at a full service Marriott Sunday night using EEO is free. If I had booked Sunday night only that rate is $199. I saved $110 plus had a full buffet breakfast.

Hilton scores big:
1. For family vacations, especially to Europe. Guaranteed Executive Lounge access whether upgraded to concierge level or not.
2. Free breakfast
3. Very successful with incredible suites
4. Love current bonus program 4x points

Well, I can't speak for HH (I'e had some lower level status on them occasionally, but never the top level), but I am both SPG Plat and Marriott Plat P. My observations:

1) Marriott's are very consistent within brands except for the occasional fairfield inn. I don't stay in hilton properties much, but my experience is that their properties vary considerably within and between brands.

2) SPG's properties vary considerable within brand. No consistency, even on benefits. Upgrades, lounges and breakfast a crap shoot. With Marriott it's all defined, and well understood what you get where and when. And sometimes, the particular hotel goes beyond the corporate standard. That's a nice bonus.

3) MARRIOTT TREATS ME WELL. I say this all the time, but it's true. Whenever I do have an issue or problem (rarely) - it gets resolved in my favor and quickly.

4) Lifetime plat is nice. I don't have to chase nights anymore.

5) Discounts on purchase of gift cards. They are almost always running a 10% discount on gift cards, which I use for all my Marriott expenditures.

6) Great availability of reward nights. I have had little problem getting the free nights I want. But almost always, I find a great rate and pay to stay there; canceling my award reservation and favoring the paid one. But sometimes, I use my points to stay in an expensive hotel for free (Ritz Tokyo, Marriott in San Juan, Marriott in Paris, Marriott in Rome to name a few).

7) TRAVEL PACKAGES. I've amassed MILLIONS of frequent flyer points through the redemption of travel packages. Sure, they've gotten more expensive and less advantageous over the years, but they are a GREAT use of points!

8) Marriott is just about everywhere. Sure, I know HH is almost everywhere too, but compared to SPG or Hyatt - Marriott has many more locations. Still, I'll stay in the best hotel choice in the best location, especially if Marriott does not have a hotel, like the Hyatt in Auckland, for example. Or the few choices of Marriott's in Tokyo (although the Ritz is nice on points!).

Just my observations.

Billy

The CY breakfast issue is a problem but I'm frequently upgraded at CY's. I just had a large two room suite at a CY this week.

Also, the full service Marriott's seem to be backing off of the weekend breakfast issue. I've stayed two Friday nights this year and have been given breakfast coupons for both Saturdays (at different hotels).

The staff at FS Marriott's and CY's is generally very good. Some operations (most lately PHL Downtown for me) need some training but the are very much the exception.

I have to agree mostly w/OP. If they would simply fix the discrepancy with the breakfast benefits compared with other programs then I think the differences would seem almost minimal. But w/o the breakfast benefits at CY or FS on weekends, the difference seems HUGE. The other stuff is inconsequential on a daily basis to me.

The breakfast issue is inconsequential to those of us who don't eat breakfast. Sounds like the OP is wasting his money with MR. Move on.

You are right about family vacations and breakfasts. HHonors bonus promos have been fitful the last couple of years -- right now it's nice, but basically they've been chasing the competition lately with weaker deals, and HUNDREDS of Hilton properties are non-participating. (There's no such thing as a system-wide HH promo, no matter how they label it, because so many franchisees apparently can't be made to play well. That goes for reluctant, grudging delivery of elite benefits too, or sometimes outright refusal, or pretending they never heard of them.)

MR Pros:

Nicer top-of-range properties (full-line Marriotts beat Hiltons)
Better-trained staff
Much better elite recognition and communication
Points worth more than HHonors points which have just been cruelly devalued
Better promos overall incl. vacation packages

HH Pros:

Nicer mid-range properties (HGIs beat CYs)
Less expensive stays IME
Hotels everywhere
Easier to make Gold / Diamond
Breakfast benefits if you care

OP should note that the grass is always greener, etc. :)

I can't comment on the HH but I was a SPG Plat (no longer) and am now a loyal MR Gold for the past 4 years. Points are wonderful, benefits are great too but this is what is most important to me as a loyal customer, the properties for the vast majority of stays have been at worst, good and at best, just WOW! Plus the staff I have come across have been really friendly, helpful but utterly professional. No amount of free breakfasts and room upgrades can beat that...although they definitely do help.

I agree with the issues but such is life. We all make choices. I love living in the burbs of Sacramento most of the year but I hate the fog in the winter. I wish I lived in Arizona right now... but Arizona gets REALLY hot in the summer... ok maybe I wish I lived in Hawaii... oh wait, it's really expensive there. Such is life. EVERYTHING in life has pros and cons to it including hotel reward programs.

Your number one for HH applies to Marriott as well-

Guaranteed Executive Lounge access whether upgraded to concierge level or not.


And internationally most CL are open 7 days a week. Never stayed at one in Europe that wasn't.

Both lounges in Stuttgart and Frankfurt are closed over the weekend just like their US counterparts...

Greetings - Dirk

First, I go with Marriott because there are more properties more conveniently located to the far-flung places I wind up going. (Recently, I did have a first in that AlbemarleNC had a Hampton Inn but no Marriott. You'd think the home of Kelli Pickler would have an MI property...)

But more important to me ... If you earn HH points, you are limited in your vacation options to Hilton properties. MI has a better selection of beach resorts, different levels of European properties and off-the-beaten-path hotels where you can use your points.

You have the answer there. If you feel that MR is the worst programme ever, then don't stay there.

There are plenty of others (myself included) who find that it fits their needs, but if you're not happy, walk away and stay in Hiltons, Hyatts or wherever.

The Courtyard issue is a well-known one. The weekend breakfast thing is also a well-known one. You've accurately highlighted two of Marriott's biggest weaknesses IMHO...too bad you haven't had an opportunity to stay at a property that Marriott has arbitrarily decided to label a "resort".

You ask MR strengths vis-a-vis Hilton. Travel Packages, EEO's, Bonus Bucks, generally better hotels in the midscale range (e.g., a typical Marriott vs. a typical Hilton in a typical city), and a recent focus on strengthening the luxury (more Ritz integration) and character (Autograph, some Renaissances) offerings.

Hilton's strengths, IMHO, better motel brand (Hampton > Fairfield), better elite treatment at the primary suburban brand (HGI > CY), fair elite treatment at resorts and on weekends, and some better award values in high-cost markets.

SPG to me represents excellent reward value, fair value on small awards (e.g., short C&P stays), good upgrades, and unique/character properties.

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.

I agree.

As MR Platinum and HH Diamond, I was furious about the HH devaluation in the midst of the recession. However, HH has compensated for the devaluation with stratospheric bonuses that leave MR in the dust.

In addition to points made by OP, let me add:
(a) No breakfast at resorts (what in the world is Bill Marriott thinking?)
(b) Pitiful promotions (Megabonus versus quadruple miles--latter wins hands down). HH will get approximately 85 nights from me in Q1 2011 versus zero for MR. Q4 2010 I got quadruple miles AND one free night per 10 paid nights, so ignored the pitiful Megabonus (HH got 57 paid nights from me versus zero for MR)....
(c) HH has some amazing actualization properties coming into the fold (Koh Samui, Sanya, Bimimi, Sienna etc). MR--not so much.

I register for each and every Megabonus (I guess Minibonus would be more appropriate!)--and find that I actually never stay even one night. HH promos are WAYYYY too lucrative the past 6 months with places to use points far more enticing than stodgy MR.

It's time to wake up and smell the bonuses, Bill Marriott.....

Q1 only has 90 nights, so it is pretty amazing that you are staying 92 nights at Hilton.

He forgot that February has 28 days.

My experiences with Hilton
 

Hilton Garden Inns are probably their best value IMHO. They are newer properties. Traditional Hiltons are a waste. Hilton has now clue about customer service. Marriott does. I do not have elite status in either program, but I was once upgraded to a suite at a Marriott on an award stay when the lobby area was tied up by a wedding reception, and it was difficult to get to the front desk. I clearly did not expect an upgrade, but I told the desk clerk that I thought the wedding thing was ridiculous. I was give a huge suite on a free stay.

At a Hilton, I asked for extra blankets and was told that this was impossible since it was New Year's eve and the hotel was full. That was my last stay in a Hilton. There was several issues, and when i complained, all I got were excuses.

At Marriott, the service is almost always consistent, and the employees are usually very helpful. I think Marriott treats their employees beter.

I am MR plat and HH diamond. Differences in hotels in different cities leaves me on fence, sometimes staying in one, sometimes the other. Neither is consistently better everywhere.

Except, I will always take a Garden Inn over a Courtyard.

Me too, and I will usually take an HI over FI or SHS. It is ironic that Hilton's best products are the mid-range / low-end ones and there's such inconsistency, and often poor value and poorer service, as you go higher.

Re: Promotions. Many of Hilton's are targeted, most of Marriott's are not. As HH Gold, I don't get cut in on many lucrative offers. The quadruple point promo required long stays - a nice one for that specific type of guest I suppose. I do mostly one-nighters...I think I would have gotten double base points or something. Lame.

Although I usually argue for SPG and HY as having the best promos, in the past year Marriott has provided me 10 Cat 4 free nights, 60,000 Delta miles, and numerous Bonus Bucks above and beyond the normal program earnings. All but a couple of the Cat 4 free nights were publicly available. (I think two or three were direct-mail targeted promotions.) The "lame Megabonus" gripe is played often here, but 2010 was a good year for supplemental Marriott promos. (And again, don't overlook the ongoing EEO's - a source of another 5-6 free nights for me every single year.)

The continue to tighten the EEO and BB rules over time, and we rightfully gripe about it, but HH doesn't even have this program to begin with.

Some chains and brands within chains are better than others at enforcing 1 EQN per calendar night. I used to do extended stays at Residence Inn and I recall being able to earn 2 EQN on the same nights (e.g., flying to another city for the weekend and staying in a regular Marriott...).

Bonus bucks were sweet when they were more prevalent. They've become more scarce and I haven't used one in quite a while now.
Bonus bucks made Marriotts much cheaper for me than any other hotel chain when on leisure travel.

When I stay at Marriott Resorts, I always book a standard room and almost always get upgraded to a view room, and I'm just gold.

The standard upgrade at Eden Roc for golds and plats is a two-story cabana room with a beach view plus an additional freebie like a cert for 2 beach chairs.

+1

Marriott have 10% discount with GC. Marriott points easier to redeem and more value. I am Hilton Diamond and Marriott PP. Rarely stay at FS facilities so upgrades are basically moot. However, I have been getting Marriott upgrades whenever I do stay above a Courtyard.

I like Hilton for the AXON discount. Stay there whenever there is a promo that makes sense.

Regarding breakfast, I was at a Marriott property with a lounge and breakfast. Never made it for the whole week. Even if I can make the breakfast, I just find point redemption value more important than breakfast. IMO, Marriott points are far more valuable than Hilton.

Agree--not even a contest.

I think the only person who REALLY enjoys CY is Bill Marriott. At least it looks like he does in the ads.