Platinum Override
Nov 24, 2009, 8:40 pm
#271
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Programs: AA Plat, UA Silver, DL Silver, Marriott Titanium, etc.
Posts: 4,211
Sometimes Platinums are the only ones who can't book a room after an overide occurs?
Something wierd just happened.
I reserved a room at a property, no evidence of override needed. All room types available.
A couple of minutes later I go to reserve a second room at the same property and get the following message:
So I go back and log out and try to reserve a room at the same property to see what happens - now I can book a room once again, but only if I do not log in. But I do notice now that the room type I previously booked (2 double beds) is not available now. So does this mean that an overide can occur for a single room type and then this, unbeknownst to the platinum member, means now that PLATINUMS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN'T BOOK A ROOM of any type once the overide occurs for a scarce room type in the background?
I reserved a room at a property, no evidence of override needed. All room types available.
A couple of minutes later I go to reserve a second room at the same property and get the following message:
*RESTRICTIONS - LIMIT 1 ROOM, PLATINUM AVAIL ALREADY INVOKED*
Dec 3, 2009, 4:05 am
#272
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
I looove the Platinum override
Decided to see friends in Edinburgh for new years eve, but with Edinburghs biggest event (Hogmonay) on that very night (an extra reason to go) the cost of a decent hotel is exorbitant, if you can find one. I didn't search for Marriott as I didn't expect any availability but when it became clear that rooms were like gold dust, and those available similarly priced I decided to give Marriott a whirl. No luck, then I logged in and "abracadabra", 99 Plat override
Good job Marriott!!
Also, booked a members only 3 for 2 in the very comfortable Birmingham Marriott on the weekend before Christmas, including breakfast, less than a Premier Inn!
2 great membership experiences in the same day!
I have at times been a critic of Marriott during my first year on FT (my initial post was a vocal complaint), but felt that these 2 instances deserved recognition, and appreciation.
Seasons greetings to all...
Good job Marriott!!
Also, booked a members only 3 for 2 in the very comfortable Birmingham Marriott on the weekend before Christmas, including breakfast, less than a Premier Inn!
2 great membership experiences in the same day!
I have at times been a critic of Marriott during my first year on FT (my initial post was a vocal complaint), but felt that these 2 instances deserved recognition, and appreciation.
Seasons greetings to all...
Last edited by BrightlyBob; Dec 3, 2009 at 4:48 am
Dec 3, 2009, 9:33 pm
#273
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
Seasons greetings to you, too, Bob.
I love the plat override too....even though I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've had to use it during the last few years. But its like a "get out of jail free" card....nice to have.
I love the plat override too....even though I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've had to use it during the last few years. But its like a "get out of jail free" card....nice to have.
Dec 4, 2009, 1:42 am
#274
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,076
Surprised that it worked in Edinburgh, having tried to use it a few weeks ago at Sydney over the new year was disappointed to find only a hugely expensive room rate available (600AUD, min stay of 3 nights).
However, good for you - I use it regularly and its a big positive of Marriott for me, compared to the Hilton where the diamond override is hugely overpriced ( prices in atrack rate, so, typically 3x the normal price of a room). Plus Marriott's IT is second to none for website/channel integration etc, great you can easily use it online etc.
Enjoy your stays!
PS: Brum Marriott is very nice too!
However, good for you - I use it regularly and its a big positive of Marriott for me, compared to the Hilton where the diamond override is hugely overpriced ( prices in atrack rate, so, typically 3x the normal price of a room). Plus Marriott's IT is second to none for website/channel integration etc, great you can easily use it online etc.
Enjoy your stays!
PS: Brum Marriott is very nice too!
Jan 20, 2010, 4:04 am
#275
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
I never speak to the hotel directly on making a reservation. I've used the Plat override many times through the website. In fact, I made reservations for my daughter at the Sydney Marriott (Hyde Park; Harbour was horribly expensive) over New Years with a Plat override that the hotel honored.
I love the Plat override.
I love the Plat override.
Jan 20, 2010, 6:36 am
#276
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
A couple of months ago I started a thread in praise of the overide... Obviously I dont know when it gets used because I book on the website but on a few occasions I have tried to add to bookings only to find it refused as "Plt override already invoked."
My best Plt override was for Edinburgh at hogmanay (new year eve). When almost the entire city was sold out of decent rooms, and the last rooms were 250 for the night, went to Marriott in helplessness only to find, abracadabra, PLT override 99!!!
I am well aware its not universal and believed it wouldn't apply to hogmanay, but it did... I still think its one of the most important benefits of PLT and would be really ticked off if it was lost. Before PLT I regularly found hotels were not available, at least half a dozen times every year, thats now a thing of the past... thanks Marriott
My best Plt override was for Edinburgh at hogmanay (new year eve). When almost the entire city was sold out of decent rooms, and the last rooms were 250 for the night, went to Marriott in helplessness only to find, abracadabra, PLT override 99!!!
I am well aware its not universal and believed it wouldn't apply to hogmanay, but it did... I still think its one of the most important benefits of PLT and would be really ticked off if it was lost. Before PLT I regularly found hotels were not available, at least half a dozen times every year, thats now a thing of the past... thanks Marriott
Jan 21, 2010, 9:19 am
#277
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Nations Capitol
Programs: AA EXP, Lifetime Marriot Plt, Avis 1st
Posts: 51
Even if it is rack rate, you can still use LNF. I booked a room at rack using the Platinum 48 hr rule at Waikiki Marriott late last year for about $370. I then found a rate and room at about $220 on Travelocity. With in 5 minutes on the phone the had my rate change to $167 a night due to LNF even though I booked using the Platinum 48 hr rule.
Jan 21, 2010, 11:52 pm
#278
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
I believe that there might be some confusion between the room TYPE guarantee 24 hours before check in and the 48 hour PLATINUM OVERRIDE ROOM RESERVATION guarantee.
The room TYPE guarantee must be requested at least 24 hours before check in, and is for a specified room type, such as for a king room or two double beds room, and the hotel can deny that request if the hotel is too full and simply state that the room type is not guaranteed.
The Platinum OVERRIDE ROOM RESERVATION guarantee must be made at least 48 hours in advance, and must be made through Marriott General or Platinum Reservations line, NOT through the specific hotel, and may not be denied if a hotel is fully booked or over booked, except under special circumstances, such as Super Bowl, World Series, Inauguration, National Political Conventions, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in Omaha, Olympics, Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and similar events. The reason that the OVERRIDE ROOM RESERVATION guarantee may be denied during special events such as the above listed is that most every hotel room in the local area would be full, and there would be no where for the guests being "put out" or overridden or bounced out to be "walked to," so they would be essentially homeless for however many nights their reservation was for.
Those two types of guarantees are very different, and should not be confused!
The room TYPE guarantee must be requested at least 24 hours before check in, and is for a specified room type, such as for a king room or two double beds room, and the hotel can deny that request if the hotel is too full and simply state that the room type is not guaranteed.
The Platinum OVERRIDE ROOM RESERVATION guarantee must be made at least 48 hours in advance, and must be made through Marriott General or Platinum Reservations line, NOT through the specific hotel, and may not be denied if a hotel is fully booked or over booked, except under special circumstances, such as Super Bowl, World Series, Inauguration, National Political Conventions, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in Omaha, Olympics, Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and similar events. The reason that the OVERRIDE ROOM RESERVATION guarantee may be denied during special events such as the above listed is that most every hotel room in the local area would be full, and there would be no where for the guests being "put out" or overridden or bounced out to be "walked to," so they would be essentially homeless for however many nights their reservation was for.
Those two types of guarantees are very different, and should not be confused!
Jan 24, 2010, 5:19 pm
#279
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
I was trying to book a room at, get this, the Springhill Suites in Newnan, GA (of all places!) and I was told that they were sold out. So I inquired about using my 48-hour platinum guarantee and they said that it didn't apply to the dates I was wanting to stay. They told me they obtained some kind of special waiver from HQ to exempt them from that benefit for those dates. I tried to explain to them the definition and benefit of a guarantee (that it's there when you need it, i.e.- when the hotel is already full. It's worthless when it's not available when you need it) but it didn't get through to them. (Actually, the agent agreed with me, but said that it was corp policy.) I told them they should call it something else, like a "good-faith xxxxxxx" or whatever. But that they shouldn't call it a guarantee if they can't guarantee you a room.
Anyway, the agent then gave me the phone number for Mr. Marriott's customer service line. I'm not quite sure what that is exactly, but the lady I spoke with was incredible - she also agreed with me about the definition of a guarantee and that she would see if she could get me a room in the hotel. I eventually got one, but they said it was because there were some cancellations. That may very well be true, but I have my suspicions because when I asked one of the hotels' front desk staff what special event was going on that weekend, she said there was none. In a town like Newnan, GA, if there's a special event and the hotel has a corp waiver, it seems to me every member of the front desk staff would know about it.
So what's to prevent Marriott from using the "corporate waiver" excuse when it's inconvenient to provide a room for someone?
Jan 24, 2010, 5:25 pm
#280
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,138
Although the "guarantee" is good for some situations, I'm kinda with you on this one.
I was trying to book a room at, get this, the Springhill Suites in Newnan, GA (of all places!) and I was told that they were sold out. So I inquired about using my 48-hour platinum guarantee and they said that it didn't apply to the dates I was wanting to stay. They told me they obtained some kind of special waiver from HQ to exempt them from that benefit for those dates. I tried to explain to them the definition and benefit of a guarantee (that it's there when you need it, i.e.- when the hotel is already full. It's worthless when it's not available when you need it) but it didn't get through to them. (Actually, the agent agreed with me, but said that it was corp policy.) I told them they should call it something else, like a "good-faith xxxxxxx" or whatever. But that they shouldn't call it a guarantee if they can't guarantee you a room.
Anyway, the agent then gave me the phone number for Mr. Marriott's customer service line. I'm not quite sure what that is exactly, but the lady I spoke with was incredible - she also agreed with me about the definition of a guarantee and that she would see if she could get me a room in the hotel. I eventually got one, but they said it was because there were some cancellations. That may very well be true, but I have my suspicions because when I asked one of the hotels' front desk staff what special event was going on that weekend, she said there was none. In a town like Newnan, GA, if there's a special event and the hotel has a corp waiver, it seems to me every member of the front desk staff would know about it.
So what's to prevent Marriott from using the "corporate waiver" excuse when it's inconvenient to provide a room for someone?
I was trying to book a room at, get this, the Springhill Suites in Newnan, GA (of all places!) and I was told that they were sold out. So I inquired about using my 48-hour platinum guarantee and they said that it didn't apply to the dates I was wanting to stay. They told me they obtained some kind of special waiver from HQ to exempt them from that benefit for those dates. I tried to explain to them the definition and benefit of a guarantee (that it's there when you need it, i.e.- when the hotel is already full. It's worthless when it's not available when you need it) but it didn't get through to them. (Actually, the agent agreed with me, but said that it was corp policy.) I told them they should call it something else, like a "good-faith xxxxxxx" or whatever. But that they shouldn't call it a guarantee if they can't guarantee you a room.
Anyway, the agent then gave me the phone number for Mr. Marriott's customer service line. I'm not quite sure what that is exactly, but the lady I spoke with was incredible - she also agreed with me about the definition of a guarantee and that she would see if she could get me a room in the hotel. I eventually got one, but they said it was because there were some cancellations. That may very well be true, but I have my suspicions because when I asked one of the hotels' front desk staff what special event was going on that weekend, she said there was none. In a town like Newnan, GA, if there's a special event and the hotel has a corp waiver, it seems to me every member of the front desk staff would know about it.
So what's to prevent Marriott from using the "corporate waiver" excuse when it's inconvenient to provide a room for someone?
Cheers.
Jan 25, 2010, 5:41 am
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
Although the "guarantee" is good for some situations, I'm kinda with you on this one.
I was trying to book a room at, get this, the Springhill Suites in Newnan, GA (of all places!) and I was told that they were sold out. So I inquired about using my 48-hour platinum guarantee and they said that it didn't apply to the dates I was wanting to stay. They told me they obtained some kind of special waiver from HQ to exempt them from that benefit for those dates. I tried to explain to them the definition and benefit of a guarantee (that it's there when you need it, i.e.- when the hotel is already full. It's worthless when it's not available when you need it) but it didn't get through to them. (Actually, the agent agreed with me, but said that it was corp policy.) I told them they should call it something else, like a "good-faith xxxxxxx" or whatever. But that they shouldn't call it a guarantee if they can't guarantee you a room.
I was trying to book a room at, get this, the Springhill Suites in Newnan, GA (of all places!) and I was told that they were sold out. So I inquired about using my 48-hour platinum guarantee and they said that it didn't apply to the dates I was wanting to stay. They told me they obtained some kind of special waiver from HQ to exempt them from that benefit for those dates. I tried to explain to them the definition and benefit of a guarantee (that it's there when you need it, i.e.- when the hotel is already full. It's worthless when it's not available when you need it) but it didn't get through to them. (Actually, the agent agreed with me, but said that it was corp policy.) I told them they should call it something else, like a "good-faith xxxxxxx" or whatever. But that they shouldn't call it a guarantee if they can't guarantee you a room.
Jan 25, 2010, 8:11 am
#282
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 8
I have also not been successful with the Plat override. Just last week I tried to book a Marriott room for the Olympics in February. Marriott has denied and said that they couldn't honor the Plat. Override because of occupancy.
Definitely more than 48 hours in advance and willing to pay rack rate.
Trying to stay 2/11 through 2/14
Definitely more than 48 hours in advance and willing to pay rack rate.
Trying to stay 2/11 through 2/14
Jan 25, 2010, 8:21 am
#283
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
The Olympics is like the Super Bowl or The Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffet) annual meeting or a Republican or Democratic Convention, where they must suspend the 48 hour Guarantee for Platinums, since they would have no where to walk other guests who have been "bumped," since every other room in that city/area would also have been occupied. That is Marriott's allowable exclusion, for truly HUGE events.
Jan 25, 2010, 8:29 am
#284
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,728
I would suspect that the Olympics would easily fit within the exception criteria for limiting the Plat Override. It doesn't surprise me at all given that rooms anywhere are probably going to be hard to come by for the Olympics.
Jan 25, 2010, 8:35 am
#285
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
There will probably be no hotel rooms of any kind within 100 miles of Vancouver during the Olympic festivities, plus private people will be renting out their own homes at outrageous prices besides. There would be no way for Marriott to allow the 48 hour Guarantee to be operational, it would cause abject chaos!