Omaha doesn't know the difference as there isn't any. Sure there is supposedly a private phone line...which I rarely call, and when they do, 8 of 10 times they call me Mr Megtravels...(i am NOT a Mr.) and they don't say Plat Premier line, they just say Plat.

I have been recognized as a PP so infrequently that I lost count....MAYBE 10 times in 2.5 years...although this week on a redemption stay at an RI by my home, I WAS greeted as a PP, I was upgraded to a 2 BR (which was great...too bad mom was still in the hospital!:rolleyes:), i got TWO newspapers at my door......WOW!

I've been successful most times asking GMs for upgrades (that technically they do NOT have to provide..) but in FS hotels, many times there isn't anything to upgrade me to. (I have been offered suites, but i must have 2 beds..and now i need accessible rooms...THIS should be interesting, as newer hotels, i believe, must have this set up in a room of each type...)

But I digress............it really is not all that exciting............................

I was status matched at 2 other chains-IIRC they are both good til Feb 2010. I will most likely NOT maintain it....for one, their rates are often more than whatever marriott brand is around, the others don't really have as many choices brand-wise, and marriott has more properties in the areas we go....
Soooooo....looks like I am stuck, but it's nice to get treated well at Hyatt and *wood....I really like what Hyatt does for their diamonds...free full breakfast (in places with no lounge), FREE internet, a nice welcome gift with a full bottle of ($9 retail in the local store) wine [but a full bottle is nice, and i am not picky!]

HTH.............happy travels

How to tell?
 

I received a letter from a GM the other day greeting me as a "Platinum Premier" member. When I log into the website It says "Platinum". I'm guessing the manager just reused a form?

true but...
 

avg per night i agree but you should negotiate a lower rate for 175 nights in the city. i have negotiated down to 189.00 per night on a 90 night stay before.

There are about 20 of us, guaranteeing hotels 150 nights per year minimum for all 20 of us. Client is requiring we stay in Times Square since its central to their buildings, and they require it be a Marriott or Hilton only. This was sadly the best we could do.

We got $160/night form the Marriott on the upper east side. Client said "NO" to that location. Marquis wouldn't negotiate any rate at all, they said market rate only. I was shocked!

The issue here is that you would be tying up 20 rooms for 150+ nights. If the hotel thinks they can sell those rooms for more money during that time then it wouldn't be very smart for the hotel management to give you those rooms at a discounted price. Even given that the Marquis is a big hotel, I have found that it can definitely get filled up at times. So it doesn't surprise me that the management there wouldn't come down off their prices much if any.

i see now
 

LOL, yes the Marquis is one Hotel where they don't have to discount the rooms and the downtown Marriott as well. $285 a night I can see now at the Marquis and only a few hotels in the world really, so that explains it.

Thanks for the information and the threads. It is obvious to me that obtaining additional premier status is more important that continue to accumulate additional points/nights. The million dollar question is "*wood or HH"?

On another note, I just called the Customer Service desk in SLC and found out that I was/am Lifetime Platinum. I had no idea!! How is that for recognition and communication? Let me celebrate with another stay next week!!!

I agree that Marriott doesn't seem to make a big deal out of LT status. But you should receive a letter stating that you have acheived it, along with an elite card that says "LT" where the expiration date usually goes.

Also, I think that Marriott only sends out the letters and LT elite cards once a year. So if you actually just met the requirements this year, then you may not get any "official" notification until Jan/Feb of next year.

Premier matters....wow...
 

I'm amazed.. I was checking into the TPA airport FS Marriott today around 1400 EDT and not only did they recognize me as a PP, but in addition to the normal selection of beverages and snacks or 500 points, I was presented with a card to select from my choice of a free movie or free internet, or $15 credit towards a meal at CK (the revolving restaurant) or 1000 bonus points. That's right, in ADDITION to the normal Plat gift.

On top of that, they gave me a card for a free glass of wine or choice of desert or a sushi roll with a purchase of a meal at CK.

But alas, my room wasn't ready, so then she gave me a chit for a free glass of wine or beer at the lobby bar while I waited 15 minutes for the room.

One 20oz Blue Moon later, the desk clerk came to me with the room key and thanked me for waiting.

Wow...

My co-worker is PP and I am platinum. He will usually get upgrated to a suite while I will just get concierge level.

Nicely done!

Of course, everyone gets those cards for CK's. ;)

Here is the problem some of us have with the program. Recently was in Rio on vacation and stayed at the JW there. Got a standard room no where near the C-level.

The hotel had trouble even satisfying the virtual concierge requests that were confirmed via e-mail.

At no time did an employee acknowledge anything more than that I was a Platinum member.

In no way did I receive their 'best service' which is the only defined benefit of PP.

I've stayed at other properties that have given me the Presidential Suite with no prompting.

The properties that handle the PP's the best are straight forward and acknowledge the PP status and let you know that they know you are PP.

If the front desk acknowledges the PP status and say 'unfortunately we have no upgraded rooms or suites available as they are sold out' what could anyone say, there is no guarantee of an upgrade. But it would tell the PP member that they didn't get an upgrade because the just lumped you in with all the other Plats.

that's great!

I need to vent a sec...
 

So I checked in last night to a hotel I've stayed in often...last time was a couple weeks ago, over weekends...when my mom was in the hospital-she's in again.

Anyway...the hotel said weclome back, thanks for being a "member" (not plat, not red, white, blue NADA!)

Then,the manager at the desk who knows me by name, asks how I am. I tell her...I haven't slept more than 1 hour at a time, getting up 10 times a night to help my mom....whatever. I just want to sleep...I am miserable...

Point being, I didn't want any sympathy or anything, but dang, could she at least have said, "hey ms megtravels, sorry you're sad, how's about we give you your bonus points and can I send you a piece of cake, or buy you breakfast before you go back to the hospital, or how's about some ice cream too??" IMO she just asked as it is part of the script, she really didn't give a rat's behind....:(

Heck, when I was a mere DESK CLERK, if a repeat guest came in and was miserable-or celebrating an event, or whatever, I would send them a lousy piece of cake! (And, HORRORS...I once sent a $12 bottle of house wine to a Plat and his wife for their anniversary. At that point I was a manager. My boss was ticked....HIS boss said to him, uh, she is DOING HER JOB--send them dinner too and charge it to the FD!)

How much does a warm fuzzy for a really tired, sad, stressed repeat guest REALLY cost???:confused:

I don't necessarily need a reply, I really just wanted to vent! That's all.....thanks for letting me get that out! Back to our regular scheduled thread.

Yeah, I know, but the other things were nice... :)