Platinum upgrades
Feb 17, 2013, 1:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Platinum upgrades
As a business traveler I frequent the same properties and am treated well. I am traveling, in May, to Harbour Beach in Florida. It is a suprise trip for a special occasion. I have heard great things about how the treat Platinum members from access to the spa and wine in the room. I have heard not so great things also, such as no recognition and not being upgraded. As a vaction this is new to me and I want to make it extra special. Any advice? Should i speak with someone before hand? Thank you for your help!
Feb 17, 2013, 3:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1P, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 44
You may send an email to request for an upgrade but really don't count on it. Access to spa and wine in the room? Never been treated like that...
Feb 17, 2013, 8:16 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
per the MRs T&Cs, upgrades for P/Gs are generally based upon availability at checkin although some, including myself, have had success in obtaining upgrades pre-arrival.......
and, there are several existing threads on this topic found by using the search function w/o requiring a new thread to be started.........
BTW, since this prop is listed as a "resort" they are exempt, if they so desire, to provide you certain plat benees......
and, there are several existing threads on this topic found by using the search function w/o requiring a new thread to be started.........
BTW, since this prop is listed as a "resort" they are exempt, if they so desire, to provide you certain plat benees......
As a business traveler I frequent the same properties and am treated well. I am traveling, in May, to Harbour Beach in Florida. It is a suprise trip for a special occasion. I have heard great things about how the treat Platinum members from access to the spa and wine in the room. I have heard not so great things also, such as no recognition and not being upgraded. As a vaction this is new to me and I want to make it extra special. Any advice? Should i speak with someone before hand? Thank you for your help!
Last edited by BKKLEE; Feb 17, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Feb 19, 2013, 10:21 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: MR PP/Ambassador, Amex Explat, Hertz PC
Posts: 41
The one time I stayed there, was on points on a saturday night - I got upgraded to the presidential suite - didn't even ask - they just upgraded me 
Feb 19, 2013, 12:39 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Promus Preferred, ITT Sheraton Club
Posts: 674
Feb 19, 2013, 7:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
It can never hurt to call and speak with the FD manager and explain you are coming for a special occasion, and the hotel might be more likely to give you a nice upgrade and other benefits. This is especially true if the hotel is under 80% occupancy for the dates you will be there.
Feb 20, 2013, 1:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Marriott Platinum, AA EXP & CK
Posts: 17
Elite Coordinators
At the end of 2011 I stayed at Marriott’s Harbor Beach. At the time they had two Elite Coordinators. I worked with Richard Amparo. He did an excellent job in providing a memorable experience. If he is still around, he will take good care of you. Syntax for email is [email protected]
Richard Amparo -Elite Coordinator
He wears a white linen jacket. Nice.
Richard Amparo -Elite Coordinator
He wears a white linen jacket. Nice.
Feb 20, 2013, 2:43 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,716
It certainly can't hurt to send a request a few days in advance of your stay. But I don't think the front desk even bothers to look at these when pre-assigning rooms, unless you are some kind of VIP. And Plat isn't one.
Feb 20, 2013, 3:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: West Virginia
Programs: Marriott Rewards Platinum Premier & Lifetime Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 11
FYI. I have stayed here twice over the past 4 years. Both times I reserved the lowest rate room (no view) & both times I was upgraded to a partial view room. For what its worth, I've been a PP every year since it was created about 11 years ago.
Feb 20, 2013, 5:10 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Pres. Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 561
It really depends on the property. I'm currently staying at the same property for several months now and was upgraded to a suite several times. Some FD staff go through the list of "elite" members and upgrade their rooms.
Feb 20, 2013, 9:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Waxahachie, TX
Programs: WN 3 Million Miler, MR Lifetime Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, AA Silver, United never again
Posts: 509
If the hotel isn't booked up, you may have a chance at an upgrade.
Be aware that as a resort, the hotel doesn't have to follow the rules that normal Marriotts do.
Still, I have stayed once at the hotel, with my family. The front desk agent was going to put us in a standard room, but (with no coaxing or Bens on my part), upgraded us to a high floor with a one bedroom suite. Supposedly the same floor that Mr Marriott stays at when he comes to visit at Christmas.
Email the Elite coordinator, and I'll bet that he will take care of you if possible.
Be aware that as a resort, the hotel doesn't have to follow the rules that normal Marriotts do.
Still, I have stayed once at the hotel, with my family. The front desk agent was going to put us in a standard room, but (with no coaxing or Bens on my part), upgraded us to a high floor with a one bedroom suite. Supposedly the same floor that Mr Marriott stays at when he comes to visit at Christmas.
Email the Elite coordinator, and I'll bet that he will take care of you if possible.
Feb 20, 2013, 9:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,470
Of course, status as a resort is irrelevant to the upgrade benefit and the normal upgrade benefit applies regardless of resort status.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
+1 Sorry to pop OP's balloon, but as a Plat last year I received zero repeat 0 suite upgrades. Yes they will make sure you don't get the worst of the house, but don't count on much more.
It certainly can't hurt to send a request a few days in advance of your stay. But I don't think the front desk even bothers to look at these when pre-assigning rooms, unless you are some kind of VIP. And Plat isn't one.
It certainly can't hurt to send a request a few days in advance of your stay. But I don't think the front desk even bothers to look at these when pre-assigning rooms, unless you are some kind of VIP. And Plat isn't one.
Feb 21, 2013, 6:52 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
+1 Sorry to pop OP's balloon, but as a Plat last year I received zero repeat 0 suite upgrades. Yes they will make sure you don't get the worst of the house, but don't count on much more.
It certainly can't hurt to send a request a few days in advance of your stay. But I don't think the front desk even bothers to look at these when pre-assigning rooms, unless you are some kind of VIP. And Plat isn't one.
It certainly can't hurt to send a request a few days in advance of your stay. But I don't think the front desk even bothers to look at these when pre-assigning rooms, unless you are some kind of VIP. And Plat isn't one.
It helps if 1) you're traveling off-season when hotels are lightly booked, and 2) you're only staying one night (meaning that it wouldn't foreclose potential revenue if they could sell the suite another night of a longer stay).
Feb 21, 2013, 7:26 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,859
Upgrades aren't really Marriott's strong point. Best case is to expect the room you booked, anything else and you risk being disappointed majority of the time.
