Or maybe they noted I was a big tipper...

[This message has been edited by traveling_again (edited 11-01-2003).]

Just to clarify my reason for the first post. I have long since been dissuaded of the notion that there is any shred of electronic privacy afforded to customers.

I was just amazed that in the routine process of checking that sort of information is displayed OR the agent went out of her way to dig into my record. Also, I think it is helpful and interesting to know what exactly is in my profile. I go out of my way not to receive the "PIA" label as few disputes are worth the long term disadvantage.

[This message has been edited by NeoOfTheCRS (edited 11-01-2003).]

Does it bother you that the check-out clerk at the supermarket knows what you are buying? That he/she remembers you from last time? Does is bother you that the person in line behind you sees what you're buying?

The desk agents at several airport clubs greet me by name and know my travel patterns and seating preferences.

The bartender at my regular hotel bar knows what I want when I ask for 'the usual'.

Several hotles get me the room/location/bedding/pilows/etc. that I prefer without my asking.

Would all of these bother you?

The person may be a stranger but he/she is an employee of the company you are dealing with. I'm not sure what you mean by a 'publc discussion'. Did he yell it to everyone in the room or do you consider every 1:1 conversations to be open to the world. Do you carry around a personal cone of silence?

It's the digital age. You have no privacy. Especially if you willingly give them identifying information.

chpappas....welcome to FT and the Marriott forum! Good post...look forward to hearing from you again in the future.

Hello Everybody,

I am new to FT having just heard about the site. I don't travel too much with only being a Silver this year and Gold the past 10 but my brother does work for Marriott in CA so I asked him for some assistance about this topic.

1. At the property level all that can be seen is the obvious of address, phone, e-mail, number of nights, member level, points/miles, CC if one is one your profile, last three stays, whether you have any e-certs ordered and total number of points.
Total miles cannot be seen.

2. Marriott Rewards in UT can see all stays at any time and place.

3. If you do bounce around and do 4 hotels in 4 nights that will not have much bearing on your profile as your stays take at least 48-72hrs. after C/O to post to your profile at the property level.

4. As for most recent stays being discussed, Marriott encourages the FD to do such things when the time and situation permit so expect more of it.

5. As for the PIA comment on profiles, there is a small line or two to type comments but doing that is highly frowned upon and almost never done. My brother said that in almost 10 years with the company he thinks he has seen maybe 1.

I hope this helps a little and I look forward to posting with everybody in the future.

Thanks.

Thanks, Lefty33, and welcome to FlyerTalk.

That's interesting information.

When I checked into a Marriot last week, the front desk asked "How was your stay at the Hilton in New York 3 weeks ago!"

just kidding

------------------
"If life doesn't offer a game worth playing, then invent a new one."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

Deleted

[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Deleted


[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Deleted

[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Since Socrates brought it up, you might want to check out this for the details on the urban myth of details on the magnetic key cards.

http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/lib...l_keycards.htm

If only we could get all of the "bulk forwarders" to check out the source of the information before blanketing the world, this type of mis-information would stop.

Deleted

[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Thanks for the info Lefty. It's interesting to know how Marriott tracks and utliizes customer information.

Like CPRich, I do not see a problem with a desk clerk asking how your trip to XYZ was. It's clearly an effort by Marriott to let the customer know that your business is appreciated, as well as being an attempt to personify the guest experience.

One cannot expect or demand absolute insularity when venturing into the public domain.

As to the privacy issue. I think that an employee should use discretion according to the circumstance ( it's my observation that most times I check in, the clerk circles and points to my room number rather than saying it aloud when others are standing near the desk ). It's a small thing, but it's a subtle reminder of what our world has become.

I hope that Marriott continues to personalize the guest experience. It's a nice gesture and in my opinion a necessary escape from privacy issues.

Barry

I agree that in 99.9999% of cases, it's a nice thing. But I can also think of situations where one would not want one's travelling companions to know where one has been in the past.

After checking in to the Mariott City Center Minneapolis recently, the check-in agent mentioned my stay in Boston the week before, as well as 4 weeks before. Also asked how it was.
While a little bit taken aback, I though it was nice to see that there is a little recognition of the frequency of stays within a brand(MSP almost every single week 3-4 days). Isn't that ultimately why we do it? (not for recognition, I mean, but for the perks of remaining with a brand?).