Marriott Takes a GIANT STEP Backward on Their Website!
 

Okay, for at least two years now, whenever I have had a stay not post to my Marriott account, I have just clicked on the "Missing Stay Request" Link, filled in my name, Marriott number, date of stay and emailed it off to customer service. Always, within 5-7 days the points posted to my account.

NOT THIS MORNING!!!!

I have a stay that didn't post in the required amount of time so, as usual, I click on the link and, guess what??????

It oh so nicely gives me a page that I can fill in my name, Marriott number and phone number. Then, I AM TO PRINT THE PAGE, attach a copy of my receipt from the hotel and fax it to them!!

Oh yes, if I don't have a copy of my receipt, I am to contact the hotel first and ask them to send me one.

If Marriott has been able to handle this so easily for all this time, what the heck is going on now?

Just call the Service Center (801-468-4000). They always help me out.

Bruce

They made this change several months ago. It might be due to Priceline; I remember you used to be able to just put in your stay parameters and get points for it. Now you have to send in your bill showing how much you spent at the actual hotel, and with Priceline stays you don't get a bill from the hotel other than for incidentals.

It has been so long since something didn't show up in my account, I didn't know they had made this change some time ago. Your theory on Priceline sounds feasible - it still makes me crazy though because I can't believe they can't look up and see what I was charged and whether or not it was Priceline. Oh well, another reason for me to consider Hilton or Starwood!

I had to use that on-line claim possibility many times for Marriott stays outside North America (I remember several stays at both Marriott hotels in Bangkok: The Royal Garden and the JW Marriott).

I regret much that I will not do all this paper-work and then wait weeks/months in the future to just get some points. I am anyway considering to change my chain-hotel priorities for next year - in general I probably will go more to non-chain boutique hotels and not bother as much about points/miles missing as in the past.

My (only silver) status (for about 20 nights/year in average) with Marriott didn't provide any really 'important' perks (just the 25% points bonus).

For those of you considering a change of preferred change, I would think twice. Being Hh Diamond, plat at Starwood and Plat at MR, MR gives me the best upgrades, has the least nickel and diming me to death of the three chains listed, are as competitive or better on the pricing of rates and service is in a worst case scenario, even with Starwood and Hh.

yes Hilton, you get points and miles, they give for almost nothing gold status, but now that is a commodity and nothing more, many of their hotels will nickel and dime you.. ie.. 10cents per minute after 30 minutes (yes Marriott has those too just not as many)

Starwood doesn't have black out dates and has Free weekends but they now charge you $1.50 for local calls throughout the chain and get this $2.00 for a toll free 888/877/800 number.

I guess it depends what elite level you are or will be but from the higher elite levels my personal opinion would be not to switch.

Thanks for your input Trojan. I guess I am just a little irritated with Marriott at the moment with changes to the program, energy surcharges and the like.

I've been Gold at Marriott for three years and will be again this year. I agree about the service at them but, being a "computer geek" this last thing just made me mad this morning!

I wholeheartedly agree with the irritation regarding online stay/pt credit. However My guess is that this probably isn't an issue that occurs very often. At least for me it doesn't so that the occasional occurance is an inconvenience that I can put up with. However the energy surcharges are something that you will find at almost all Hiltons and Starwoods as well, those won't disappear regardless of major chain. If one drops them, they most likely all will drop the charges.

Since I go to SLC quite a bit, I'm basically relegated to the Marriott as they have the most choices. The Hilton there doesn't do much for me nor does the old Hilton, now Sheraton. All of these big chains are alike in many ways. If you find one that works, stick with it. It isn't always greener on the other side. I'm on the otherside as well and believe me.. Hilton and Starwood aren't so hot either.

But I do hear ya on the online credit page.. that was a good thing to have. I know I'll be mad when I am the one who doesn't get my points posted..

I heard the energy surchases were suppose to be gone at Marriott by the end of September (not sure why the delay though)

It's called "symbolic action" .. By stating that they are going to change the policy, people get off their back .. However, they get to collect the surcharges for another couple of months, padding their revenue for the year ..