VIP Lists
 

Am at a FS property in Atlanta and while in CL, attendant with whom I had converstion, asks me if I am a certain individual on her "VIP List". She lets me peruse her list which contains 5-6 names. While I am not the gentleman she refers to, I am on the list.

The list contains names, reward status, special requests of the guest.

It appears that many properties review the profile of their day's guests and target certain ones for special treatment such as with personal phone calls, upgrades, etc.

Can anyone speak to these VIP Lists and add more information?

what would you like to know about the lists? There's a various reasons why one would be on the list

I've seen my name on these a few times with a designation of "PP". I was told that means "possibly perfect" and is in reference to my incredible and striking good looks.

either that or you use the urinal a lot.

I would guess Platinum Premier.

However, I'm a bit disturbed by the lounge agent's willingness to share other guests' details with the OP. This seems inappropriate at best and a serious security breach at worst.

Maybe if the list also contains room numbers, but if not I'm not sure what's the big deal with a list of names/reward status/special requests?

For starters, my name, MR status level, and special requests are not the business of another guest. When I'm a customer of some business, I assume that the business will not put my name on some list that they share with other customers without my permission.

A special request might indicate to a thief when the room will surely be unoccupied. Just as some people think it's fun to find a stranger's telephone number at random or from the phone book and make anonymous or obscene calls, often at atrange hours, knowing the last name enables them to call the room through the hotel operator.

Which is why I said it wouldn't be good if the list also included the room number, but the OP didn't say that it did. A list of a few random names and their MR status isn't going to be of any help to thieves.

Not sure if I've ever seen it at a Marriott property, but don't some Hilton properties often put a list at the front desk "welcoming" their rewards members? Is that invading their privacy?

I have seen this as well with the FFI properties with my name posted in the frontdesk when I was Gold and then again when I was Platinum. I never saw anyone walking around with a VIP list though. I don't mind just having my name posted but if there was a special request (I guess depending on what that was), I wouldn't want just anyone to peruse through it.

I've seen this at the FS Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington VA. It was just a simple spreadsheet printed out and given to the front desk staff. Had what I assumed were platinum and PP guests and their special requests. Had the foam pillows / high floor preferences too - has anyone ever gotten foam pillows??

I always request foam pillows and extra pillows, and typically I'll get at least 2-3 foam pillows out of ~6 pillows total, which I find perfectly acceptable.

In at least two other properties--Hilton and Sheraton--I've seen the VIP list sitting on the food counter in the lounge when there is no staff member in the lounge. Both of those lists included guests' room numbers.

A lounge attendant who I've become very friendly with over the many years alluded to a daily list that comes out with the expected occupancy rate and "persons of note" staying at the hotel. She always knows when I and another colleague are staying or if we aren't traveling together that week. I surmise it helps them recall and greet by name who is expected in the lounge that morning. I'm always impressed how they can remember names and details even after 6-8 months between visits.

Other than that, I've never seen any other tangible benefit, I always have to call ahead and block my favorite room in advance or I won't get it...

Hope you don't use AVIS Preferred Rentals. ;)

+1. Is there an opt-out? (Other than the obvious ones of not making special requests, not being Platinum Premier, not staying.)

It seems to be against Marriott's privacy policy, but then if the hotel is showing your information to other guests, it's the property (franchisee), not Marriott, disclosing that information. Some properties have their own privacy policies (such as this one).

It's not as bad as Starwood (which now forcibly mugshots some guests) but it seems like a hospitality business should know better.

If it's the property, then one would need to opt out at each individual Marriott property? This isn't realistic. I would hope that any hotel would have a policy that their staff members are not to share guest lists with any non employee. Period.

Most customer-facing businesses have something like a VIP list. Hotels are leaders in this. Not about silly marketing stuff like "elite status" but about people of note where the staff needs to pay special attention.

Could be a regular customer at the individual property. Could be the CEO's niece, perhaps the GM's nephew. And sometimes it's just an ordinary guy with some special needs or maybe the travel manager for a business Marriott is courting.

High end properties keep dossiers on regular customers, tracking their every preference so that when you call down to order breakfast, the order taker asks whether you would like your regular 4-minute eggs or whatever.

The employee ought to be terminated on the spot. Privacy aside, the whole point of doing this is to make the VIP feel really special, not that there's some crib sheet in the employee's pocket.

My Hen and I spent a week end at the local Ritz. We had never been there before, checked in on Friday, leaving on Monday. Sunday afternoon, we got a personal note 'welcoming me back'. Huh? Sunday evening and Monday morning at the lounge a little (ok, maybe a lot) more attention, "Welcome back", etc.. Come Monday morning, called for our car and was told "Dr Turkey, is there anything else we can do for you this morning?". Huh, "DR Turkey".

It's not like my last name is Smith or Wilson. There are not many 'Turkeys' here in the States (or elsewhere, especially after dinner time today).

Guess, Dr Turkey is high the VIP list!

I’ve run a couple of conferences at Marriott properties, and we have asked the hotel to add our speakers to their ViP lists. Normally this means they get a fruit basket or a bottle of wine.

At both the Singapore Marriott and the BKK JW lounge staff have taken my photo to be placed in an album in the back room so that staff (esp new staff) can recognize frequent guests (the regulars) and address them by name, as well as preferences noted. At the BKK JW the lounge provides personalized coffee/tea mugs for frequent guests. Staff knows that I prefer black coffee and in the evening my favorite cocktail is provided w/o asking. Several times the lounge manager mentioned that she knew I was coming since they check the elite list daily. This is only my experience from these two properties, and I expect that mileage varies--but at least some props pay close attention to elites.

Funny, I came across this several years ago and, with the Marriott properties I frequent most, I've asked to have my name removed from the VIP lists. At those properties, they already know me and I'm treated well enough. I value my privacy and peace far more than any amenities, most of which I find silly and totally unnecessary. Chit-chat with the GM or lounge attendant about my recent travels or how my family is doing is far more appreciated by me.

Sharing a list that has guest names and attributes (of any kind) is just wrong. As Socrate says, there are many reasons a name might be on that list...and none of them are anyone else's business.

:td: to this hotel and employee who did so.