Why maintain Elite status?
Aug 20, 2012 | 9:53 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
Thanks for all your responses. I was away for a while and was unable to reply earlier.
To answer your previous question: I was trying to use my points for booking a room at the Fairfield Inn in Rapid City during the July 4th week. I ended up using my Hilton points as they allowed me to use my points. Later I used my Best Western points as that did not have any blackouts.
I agree the full service Marriott gives you extra bonuses when you are a platinum. The Saigon Marriott and the Shanghai Marriott were memorable stays.
Overall with having attained top statuses with the hotel chains in Sweden and South Africa, Marriott still has some ways to go.
To answer your previous question: I was trying to use my points for booking a room at the Fairfield Inn in Rapid City during the July 4th week. I ended up using my Hilton points as they allowed me to use my points. Later I used my Best Western points as that did not have any blackouts.
I agree the full service Marriott gives you extra bonuses when you are a platinum. The Saigon Marriott and the Shanghai Marriott were memorable stays.
Overall with having attained top statuses with the hotel chains in Sweden and South Africa, Marriott still has some ways to go.
Aug 20, 2012 | 11:45 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA Ex Plat
Posts: 746
I just came back from a vacation in Orlando where we stayed at the REN SeaWorld location. We got upgraded to a corner suite that had a wall-mounted 50" TV, view of the Sea World fireworks every night and excellent service. Yes, I was recognized as a PLAT and it was awesome.
The experience was even better because my wife and 5 yos were with me.
The experience was even better because my wife and 5 yos were with me.
Aug 21, 2012 | 1:06 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 448
So far, I have enjoyed my Elite status!
Aug 21, 2012 | 6:49 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: Hilton Diamond for life, Bonvoy Titanium for Life, Delta Million Miler, Delta Platinum
Posts: 168
Happy at Marriott as a Plat Premier. By the way I am 001-xxx-xxx
Aug 21, 2012 | 6:56 pm
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Aug 21, 2012 | 7:52 pm
#37
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
oh, it's supposed to be a MR#.............. whenever I see "001" I instantly think of it as the country code for calling the US...............
that being said, my 9-digit MR acc't, held for roughly 10-yrs (since I was kinda required to stay at client props while working for another 5* brand), starts out with a "9" while my wifes 9-digit MR acc't, which started this year, starts out with a "1" so lower numbers do not equal longevity as put forward in your post...........
that being said, my 9-digit MR acc't, held for roughly 10-yrs (since I was kinda required to stay at client props while working for another 5* brand), starts out with a "9" while my wifes 9-digit MR acc't, which started this year, starts out with a "1" so lower numbers do not equal longevity as put forward in your post...........
Last edited by BKKLEE; Aug 21, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Aug 22, 2012 | 11:00 am
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,149
oh, it's supposed to be a MR#..............
that being said, my 9-digit MR acc't, held for roughly 10-yrs (starts out with a "9" while my wifes 9-digit MR acc't, which started this year, starts out with a "1" so lower numbers do not equal longevity as put forward in your post...........
that being said, my 9-digit MR acc't, held for roughly 10-yrs (starts out with a "9" while my wifes 9-digit MR acc't, which started this year, starts out with a "1" so lower numbers do not equal longevity as put forward in your post...........
Cheers.
Aug 22, 2012 | 1:14 pm
#39
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
Interesting.
My number starts with 92xxx and I got mine in the early 90s. My wife's is 29xxx and she got hers in the late 80s. Note that mine was actually my Courtyard Club number which was then used as my Marquis number when I joined that program in the mid-90s.
My number starts with 92xxx and I got mine in the early 90s. My wife's is 29xxx and she got hers in the late 80s. Note that mine was actually my Courtyard Club number which was then used as my Marquis number when I joined that program in the mid-90s.
Aug 22, 2012 | 3:17 pm
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO, SIN, PVG
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 303
My wife and I both join marriott this year and her # begin with 1XXXXX and mine 9XXXXXX
Aug 22, 2012 | 7:32 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,104
My # starts with 078 and dates back to the 80s I think.
Although I have had no trouble using my points, I question the value as well. Yes, I appreciate the bonus points and free wifi (though the latter is of limited value as I would generally bill it back to my employer). I also appreciate the noticeably better service that I receive at the front desk and on the phone.
That being said, MR gets a big fail on the upgrade front, at least by comparison to what I read in the SPG and Hyatt forums. I mostly stay at FS Marriotts and haven't seen any suites - or even a nice view.
Hyatts generally have much better lounge food and usually weekend hours.
Should I start taking a DYKWIA attitude at the front desk when the initial room assignment is not a suite? That's not really my style, but the lack of upgrades is definitely not incentivizing me to choose Marriott.
Agreed. It is hard to see the value of Plat v. Gold.
Like you I keep points in every program and will choose properties depending on the options and prevailing rates. I recently choose a Courtyard @ $180/nt because I could use a Cat 1-5 visa cert for 1 night, rather than going with the HIX @ 25k Priority Club points, because I'd prefer to getter value when I use points. But I also used 40k HH points for 1 night at HGI Napa because I absolutely refuse to pay $300-400 per night for a room.
Next to SPG, I find Marriott points are generally the easiest to use, so 'nice to have a supply.
Here is my recent experience of being a Platinum Elite (7+ years) with Marriott:
1. Unable to use points when I really want to use them. Either the hotel is on a blackout week or there are no rooms available using points.
2. Never get upgraded unless I am enroute someplace and staying for one night in an "out of the way" property.
3. Have not stayed in a full service Marriott for a while so cannot comment on the state of the lounge facilities for the past 6 months.
4. Finally the platinum arrival gift - stayed at a Residence Inn in Bloomington MN last month and they gave me a bag of peanuts as the arrival gift.
Not even a market item nor offer of points - just a bag of peanuts.
5. When I call the elite line to book a property, I am told the property is full so the platinum override of rack rate applies and not the corporate rate. When I call the property directly, they offer me the corporate rate. Not sure if this is similar to the airline charging more for Elite members?
Maybe it is just my experiences, has anyone had an experience where you can say being a Platinum Elite made a difference to being Joe Public?
1. Unable to use points when I really want to use them. Either the hotel is on a blackout week or there are no rooms available using points.
2. Never get upgraded unless I am enroute someplace and staying for one night in an "out of the way" property.
3. Have not stayed in a full service Marriott for a while so cannot comment on the state of the lounge facilities for the past 6 months.
4. Finally the platinum arrival gift - stayed at a Residence Inn in Bloomington MN last month and they gave me a bag of peanuts as the arrival gift.
Not even a market item nor offer of points - just a bag of peanuts. 5. When I call the elite line to book a property, I am told the property is full so the platinum override of rack rate applies and not the corporate rate. When I call the property directly, they offer me the corporate rate. Not sure if this is similar to the airline charging more for Elite members?
Maybe it is just my experiences, has anyone had an experience where you can say being a Platinum Elite made a difference to being Joe Public?
That being said, MR gets a big fail on the upgrade front, at least by comparison to what I read in the SPG and Hyatt forums. I mostly stay at FS Marriotts and haven't seen any suites - or even a nice view.
Hyatts generally have much better lounge food and usually weekend hours.
Should I start taking a DYKWIA attitude at the front desk when the initial room assignment is not a suite? That's not really my style, but the lack of upgrades is definitely not incentivizing me to choose Marriott.
You're confusing Platinum Elite with elite status overall.
Yes, I can point to countless times when I've gotten free breakfast and free internet as a Gold. But being Platinum would get me nothing more of those, and as you said, there's a question in many people's minds whether there's that much value for everyone in Platinum over Gold.
Yes, I can point to countless times when I've gotten free breakfast and free internet as a Gold. But being Platinum would get me nothing more of those, and as you said, there's a question in many people's minds whether there's that much value for everyone in Platinum over Gold.
Like you I keep points in every program and will choose properties depending on the options and prevailing rates. I recently choose a Courtyard @ $180/nt because I could use a Cat 1-5 visa cert for 1 night, rather than going with the HIX @ 25k Priority Club points, because I'd prefer to getter value when I use points. But I also used 40k HH points for 1 night at HGI Napa because I absolutely refuse to pay $300-400 per night for a room.
Next to SPG, I find Marriott points are generally the easiest to use, so 'nice to have a supply.
Aug 22, 2012 | 7:35 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Aug 22, 2012 | 8:32 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,077
Not really, only one person who said they joined in the 80's didn't have a zero in the front. And no one claimed that after Marriott stopped giving out zeros in the front that they went in numerical order.
BTW, yes I'm a newbie but I had heard about this even before I joined FT. One of my co-workers has 4 zero's in the front.
BTW, yes I'm a newbie but I had heard about this even before I joined FT. One of my co-workers has 4 zero's in the front.
Aug 23, 2012 | 8:01 am
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,149
My # starts with 078 and dates back to the 80s I think.
Although I have had no trouble using my points, I question the value as well. Yes, I appreciate the bonus points and free wifi (though the latter is of limited value as I would generally bill it back to my employer). I also appreciate the noticeably better service that I receive at the front desk and on the phone.
That being said, MR gets a big fail on the upgrade front, at least by comparison to what I read in the SPG and Hyatt forums. I mostly stay at FS Marriotts and haven't seen any suites - or even a nice view.
Hyatts generally have much better lounge food and usually weekend hours.
Should I start taking a DYKWIA attitude at the front desk when the initial room assignment is not a suite? That's not really my style, but the lack of upgrades is definitely not incentivizing me to choose Marriott.
Agreed. It is hard to see the value of Plat v. Gold.
Like you I keep points in every program and will choose properties depending on the options and prevailing rates. I recently choose a Courtyard @ $180/nt because I could use a Cat 1-5 visa cert for 1 night, rather than going with the HIX @ 25k Priority Club points, because I'd prefer to getter value when I use points. But I also used 40k HH points for 1 night at HGI Napa because I absolutely refuse to pay $300-400 per night for a room.
Next to SPG, I find Marriott points are generally the easiest to use, so 'nice to have a supply.
Although I have had no trouble using my points, I question the value as well. Yes, I appreciate the bonus points and free wifi (though the latter is of limited value as I would generally bill it back to my employer). I also appreciate the noticeably better service that I receive at the front desk and on the phone.
That being said, MR gets a big fail on the upgrade front, at least by comparison to what I read in the SPG and Hyatt forums. I mostly stay at FS Marriotts and haven't seen any suites - or even a nice view.
Hyatts generally have much better lounge food and usually weekend hours.
Should I start taking a DYKWIA attitude at the front desk when the initial room assignment is not a suite? That's not really my style, but the lack of upgrades is definitely not incentivizing me to choose Marriott.
Agreed. It is hard to see the value of Plat v. Gold.
Like you I keep points in every program and will choose properties depending on the options and prevailing rates. I recently choose a Courtyard @ $180/nt because I could use a Cat 1-5 visa cert for 1 night, rather than going with the HIX @ 25k Priority Club points, because I'd prefer to getter value when I use points. But I also used 40k HH points for 1 night at HGI Napa because I absolutely refuse to pay $300-400 per night for a room.
Next to SPG, I find Marriott points are generally the easiest to use, so 'nice to have a supply.
Not really, only one person who said they joined in the 80's didn't have a zero in the front. And no one claimed that after Marriott stopped giving out zeros in the front that they went in numerical order.
BTW, yes I'm a newbie but I had heard about this even before I joined FT. One of my co-workers has 4 zero's in the front.
BTW, yes I'm a newbie but I had heard about this even before I joined FT. One of my co-workers has 4 zero's in the front.
Cheers.
Aug 27, 2012 | 2:00 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,104
Some additional observations after my recent Courtyard stay @ $180/nt "elite rate" -
(1) No free breakfast in cheapo restaurant?? Apparently not guaranteed at Courtyard properties per T&Cs for Gold/Plat. Sadly makes HIX and Hampton look better (even without elite status).
(2) Late Checkout: Requested 2pm, was told "1:30pm is the best we can do" on Sunday (at a property that is generally full only on Fri/Sat). Pathetic compared with SPG.
Not feeling the love here, Marriott.
(1) No free breakfast in cheapo restaurant?? Apparently not guaranteed at Courtyard properties per T&Cs for Gold/Plat. Sadly makes HIX and Hampton look better (even without elite status).
(2) Late Checkout: Requested 2pm, was told "1:30pm is the best we can do" on Sunday (at a property that is generally full only on Fri/Sat). Pathetic compared with SPG.
Not feeling the love here, Marriott.