I know this has been beat to death, but I just have a comment.
Since suites are not in the upgrade policy anymore, what is it really worth.
I understand some hotels may have different rooms like view rooms or conceriege level, but is there really an upgrade here. As everyone knows, the conceriege level is almost always the exact same room maybe with mouthwash and a sewing kit. I would guess that 90% of the hotels have two types of rooms. Normal and suites. Maybe some Couryards/Fairfields have whirlpool, but these are mostly considered suites.
So if we can not rightfully upgrade to suites, it seems like such a scam.
Sorry for venting about this overtalked about subject. I just hate checking into a hotel and having them tell me they have "ugraded" me to the concierge level like that is some great upgrade, when I know very well the room is the exact same room as the floor below.

There is no mention on the Marriott Rewards website of any non-suite limitation to the upgrade policy. See: http://marriott.com/rewards/learn/me...WT_Ref=mi_left
It says: "When you check in, we'll upgrade you to our finest available accommodations� whenever we can�at no additional charge. Not available at Marriott Vacation Club International locations."
See also here: http://marriott.com/rewards/terms/el...#elitebenefits
It says: "Room Upgrade: Upgraded accommodations at no additional charge. Based on room availability and limited to a member's personal guestroom. Not available at Marriott Vacation Club International or Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club."

So, no matter what it says elsewhere, the newly renovated Marriott website still refers to the finest available accomodations, and says nothing about excluding suites.

But it is clearly spelled out in the T&C's that came in the mail.

I haven't been around long, so I haven't seen all the previous discussions on this. While I certainly wouldn't want to start a new thread on a dead-horse topic, I certainly don't mind contributing once somebody else has started it.

What does socrates say about this? I don't recall receiving, or at least reading, any T&C's that exclude suites. Of course, I don't necessarily read all the Marriott propoganda that I receive. Could some one give me the exact language from the hard-copy T&C's? (Or refer me to a thread where its been previously posted?)

Seems to me that the website should have the most comprehensive and current information. Meaning that the website T&C's should be more current, and in effect, than some printed material that was likely drafted and printed in June 2003 or earlier.

And, more importantly, forget what the "official" policy is, what have people's experience been? Have folks been denied suite upgrades when they knew they were available with the given reason of "suites are not included in upgrades"? Or, have folks actually received upgrades to suites since the "new" policy has been announced? Has domestic (US) and international experience been different?

There are probably more threads on this subject during my time here, than any other. You can search those for a wide variety of comments ranging from those who quit staying at Marriotts due to frustrated outrage from lack of upgrades or dishonest front desk personnel who allegedly lie about lack of suite availability to others who say they are just happy with a clean room and don't require more. Some elites have bitterly complained believing that their loyalty to Marriott has been betrayed. Other members have, in essence, told the complainers to shut-up and stay elsewhere, or get over it. There are virulent Marriott bashers over this, and valiant Marriott defenders who object to criticism of Marriott. However, even many of the Marriott defenders were unhappy over the clear language of the program which seemed to imply upgrades to suites ("finest available accomodation"), but the failure of many properties to provide such upgrades, and the seemingly "secret" (my word) Marriott policy which excluded suites from upgrades, and which every so-often would be privately declared to individual members who complained about the lack of suite upgrades. In other words, some members felt more than a little betrayed by Marriott which proclaimed one thing on the website and in the program rules, but appeared to have a non-published policy to the contrary.

Thus, recently, terms and conditions accompanying 2004 membership materials specified that suites were not included in the upgrade policy. But, as you note, the even more recently updated website setting forth elite terms and conditions, still maintains the old language, unchanged. I can only guess that Marriott wants to maintain the ability to advertise that it provides elite benefits as good as SPG and Hilton (both of which provide suite upgrades to their top tier), while having something else in writing in reserve to point to in case members get too pushy about insisting on receiving what the website terms and conditions clearly promise for elites. If one wants to give Marriott the benefit, you could argue that they forgot to change the website language.

A search will also provide information that certain properties on a regular basis provide genuine upgrades including suites to elites, and do it happily and even without prompting. Among others I've experienced are the Chicago Renaissance, St. Louis Marriott, and the Minneapolis City Center Marriott, all of which provided wonderful suites. I've received a wonderfully upgraded room at the Renaissance Vinoy. But remember, that if all the suites are occupied, there may not be an upgrade available. The frustration at some properties involves whether one is being leveled with by the front desk, or lied to.





Edited for lousy grammar.

[This message has been edited by ohmark (edited Mar 19, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by ohmark (edited Mar 19, 2004).]

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