Hi everyone.

I travel frequently (150k/year) but have never focused on hotel programs. I basically stay at whatever property is most convenient or cheapest, with no regard to chain frequency programs. The end result is that I make bottom tier in Marriott and Hilton, but the benefits are very weak (no upgrades, etc.)

I decided that I would begin to focus on hotel programs, so I can begin to enjoy the benefits. I currently have equal nights at Hilton, Starwood, and Marriott, and have enough nights in the rest of the year to make top status in one program, and maybe mid tier status in another.

I know that locations in where I travel is the most important factor, but the cities I travel to are large enough that there is often one or many from each chain.

I was wondering what your experience has been as a Platinum member, or a Gold member.

How have you been treated as a Platinum or Gold? Do you receive upgrades frequently/all the time?

In general if you can just provide me your experiences with the Marriott Rewards program and Marriott in general.

One last question...What rooms do you get upgraded to as a Platinum or Gold? Executive Level? What is the difference between Executive Level rooms and regular rooms, other than the club access.

Thank you very much,

Adam

For all three of the programs you mention I can only think of a couple of times when I have not been upgraded to the 'Club' floor (only very rarely have I received a suite upgrade).

My view is that the benefit of a 'Club' room varies upon location. Ouside the US a Club room normally entitles you to Lounge access which means free snacks and alcholic drinks all day. In the US there is normally a very limited alcholic drink service which you are charged for.

Therefore in the US I feel there is very little benefit to a Club room (I know not everyone will agree, but the free drinks are the benefit I appreciate most).

The other in-room benefits are normally extra ammenities, which do not really do a lot for me - I tend not to use hotel toiletries and if I do I am not bothered which shape bottle they come in and always prepared for the mid-night fire practice I take my own PJ's (well BA supplied actually) so which I slob around in rather than a robe.

The room guarantees are becoming easier to use and I really appreciate that (my experience is that from a slow start Hilton now has the lead on making these happen, with Starwood second and Marriott a poor third).

As for ammenity packs I think these are a joke in the US (a couple of bottles of water a 'powerbar' and maybe some corn nibble things) whereas in Europe you tend to get a half-bottle or bottle of wine.

My most suprising experience in a Club Lounge was late last month in the Seattle Sheraton Hotel & Towers. I called into the Lounge on my second day for breakfast, I am English and like a hot breakfast, there was none available (again a very poor choice in general in US properties) so I had a cup of coffee - it was delivered along with a form asking for me to indicate how much I wanted to tip the server.

I don't want to tip the server as I don't see the point of having a server, I would be perfectly happy to serve myself. So I do not sign for a tip. But when I check out there is a $2 charge on my account fron the Lounge.

Generally I would rank the Club Lounges as Marriott first, then Hilton followed by Starwood (there are tons of exceptions, but overall this is my experience).

In terms of general sucking up to their top eite members, Hilton has really deteriorated over the last 12 months, Marriott is consitently good and Starwood is all talk with very little in delivery [I will not bore you with the diabolical service I have recieved from Starwood over the last month - they promised the earth and in the end left me two nights without a hotel bed - thankfully Hilton stepped in on both occassions - and this is the service from the Platinum Concierge, their service was so laughably bad you would not believe, I mean really diabolical.. one day on the Starwood thread I will tell all. I am trying not to let this influence the fact that I yesterday started discussions with Starwood about a Global Account - but boy is it hard].


Anyway just a few of my thoughts.

Nick

As a Marriott Platinum for over a year, with only stays in the USA I can say that the rooms are not that much better, but concierge lounge access is good for the free breakfast in the morning (tho I never get up early enough to eat it).

Otherwise, I do get treated very well. Of course I was treated well when I was Black and Gold and no status, so I've just been lucky I guess. Marriott doesn't have no phone nonsense with 800 numbers, which is a big turnoff for me with the other chains.

Finally, Marriott Rewards customer service is great over the phone (don't bother with email). I've been in only one marginally bad Marriott in over a hundred (including Courtyards and the rest). I've only been in one Hilton and it was a bad experience.

Personally the benefits are primarily bottled water and the 30% bonus points

[This message has been edited by emerald (edited 09-20-2000).]

I have been Marriott Platinum now going on 3 years. I started my business travel in Marriotts and never looked back.

I really like the Rewards program. I have never had trouble booking rewards rooms:
[*] Two days noticed in November for 5-day stay at their Peurto Vallarta resort into a Suite. One of the days was 'unavailable' but the agent seemed to be able to override that.[*] Reasonable values to get the rooms. 50,000 got me a suite at the Courtyard Paris last week for 3 days.[*] Quick to compile...at full-service Marriotts, the fact you get 10-points per dollar, including meals, plus the bonus...I can't spend my points quick enough. Now with the inclusion of all Marriott properties into the status bonus, life is only getting better.[*] I have stayed at hotels all over the US and Canada. Not once have I ever not received my upgrade to the Conceirge level. Once, I checked in and only had 3rd floor (20 story hotel). I called down and asked what was up. My number wasn't in the account. I just asked them to add it and was ready to leave it at that. I didn't ask for the upgrade now (I was only there for 3 days). 10 minutes later, the bellhop arrived with a new key to their suite on the top floor. He even helped me re-pack some of the stuff I have already taken out.

I have a lot more positive notes for them, but my flight leaves in 30 minutes

Thank you for your assistance. I have decided to go for Marriott Platinum, and use Starwood as my backup program.

Thanks again!

>>Marriott doesn't have no phone nonsense with 800 numbers, which is a big turnoff for me with the other chains.

dg1, could you please explain this comment?

[This message has been edited by dgolds (edited 06-10-2000).]