Marriott or Ritz program?
Jan 7, 2013 | 1:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: Marriott Plat Premier/LT Plat; SPG Plat/LT Gold; Hilton Gold; Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,356
Marriott or Ritz program?
Is there any benefit between being a Marriott Plat or a Ritz Platinum? I'm lifetime Marriott Platinum and concentrating on getting the same with SPG these days (closing in). I've been staying at the Ritz a bunch (about 50% of my stays) so just wondering if there's an advantage to switching to Lifetime Ritz Platinum. Does it even make a difference?
Jan 7, 2013 | 6:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
Is there any benefit between being a Marriott Plat or a Ritz Platinum? I'm lifetime Marriott Platinum and concentrating on getting the same with SPG these days (closing in). I've been staying at the Ritz a bunch (about 50% of my stays) so just wondering if there's an advantage to switching to Lifetime Ritz Platinum. Does it even make a difference?
Jan 7, 2013 | 8:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
I'm only Ritz because my cousin is a SVP @ RC. If you are staying at RC, I think there might be a slightly (read: really small) better chance to get upgrades, but I can't tell if that's because I'm RitzR or a relative. I do see colleagues with MR get shafted while I get upgraded, but it's rare. I still do MR MegaBonus even with RitzR.
My RC stays include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (No points, grrr), San Francisco, Atlanta-Buckhead, Marina Del Ray, Philadelphia & Boston (not worth it)
My RC stays include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (No points, grrr), San Francisco, Atlanta-Buckhead, Marina Del Ray, Philadelphia & Boston (not worth it)
Jan 8, 2013 | 4:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
I'm only Ritz because my cousin is a SVP @ RC. If you are staying at RC, I think there might be a slightly (read: really small) better chance to get upgrades, but I can't tell if that's because I'm RitzR or a relative. I do see colleagues with MR get shafted while I get upgraded, but it's rare. I still do MR MegaBonus even with RitzR.
My RC stays include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (No points, grrr), San Francisco, Atlanta-Buckhead, Marina Del Ray, Philadelphia & Boston (not worth it)
My RC stays include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (No points, grrr), San Francisco, Atlanta-Buckhead, Marina Del Ray, Philadelphia & Boston (not worth it)
Jan 8, 2013 | 4:44 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
because the Singapore RC, and a few other RCs, do not participate in MRs.....
https://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi
https://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi
Jan 10, 2013 | 4:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
Yeah, I was really upset about that. Spent 13 nights at that property and had nothing to show for it.
Room was really nice though. Next time I'll stay at the Marriott...the only other MAR property in all of Singapore.
Room was really nice though. Next time I'll stay at the Marriott...the only other MAR property in all of Singapore.
Jan 10, 2013 | 5:24 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
The Singapore RC and Marriott are very different hotels, in very different location. Nevertheless, I'm surprised that there aren't other Marriott family choices, such as Sentosa or a boutique hotel. Foreign hotels chains aren't prominent in the extended stay or serviced apartments categories in Singapore.
Jan 11, 2013 | 2:37 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 343
I am a Marriott platinum and never stayed at a RC.
Funny that I got birthday greetings from RC, never from Marriott.
Funny that I got birthday greetings from RC, never from Marriott.
Jan 12, 2013 | 4:49 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: Marriott Plat Premier/LT Plat; SPG Plat/LT Gold; Hilton Gold; Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,356
So if I switch to RC Lifetime Platinum I can still participate in Marriott Megabonus. Good to know
Will there be any effect in Marriott upgrades? I'm assuming it's a YMMV but curious your experience. The front desk could be wow, a ritz member let's treat him right or it could go the other way and the Marriotts plats get priority.
Will there be any effect in Marriott upgrades? I'm assuming it's a YMMV but curious your experience. The front desk could be wow, a ritz member let's treat him right or it could go the other way and the Marriotts plats get priority.
Jan 12, 2013 | 9:24 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,597
One front desk clerk told me that unless you show your card, they don't know, it only tells them the level, not which program. Now, she may just not know how to look it up, but for most clerks, I'm guessing it makes little to no difference; published benefits and gurantees are the same.
Jan 12, 2013 | 9:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: American AAdvantage EXP, World of Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Rewards Titanium, MGM Rewards Gold
Posts: 445
The levels and terms of the programs are the exact same. It really shouldn't effect how you get upgraded. I've stayed with RC using my MR several times and been upgraded without an issue.
Jan 12, 2013 | 11:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
I've had 10 nights over 6 stays so far this year (I know, my life sucks). I'm 2/5 @ MAR/REN and 1/1 @ RC. No suites though.
Upgrades are typically a deluxe room. REN Chicago and REN PHL gave me rooms with dining room tables...unnecessary but cool. I had a Deluxe room w/ Club Access at RC Marina Del Ray, which they promised to give back to me in two weeks. I have a sneaking suspicion they know who my cousin is, so they're being extra nice to me.
Upgrades are typically a deluxe room. REN Chicago and REN PHL gave me rooms with dining room tables...unnecessary but cool. I had a Deluxe room w/ Club Access at RC Marina Del Ray, which they promised to give back to me in two weeks. I have a sneaking suspicion they know who my cousin is, so they're being extra nice to me.