Have been Gold with Marriott for 8-9 months, but it seems since January, they have gotten very stingy given room upgrades. This seems to be the case across the board on all their brands. Has anyone else noticed this change?

Not really. Upgrades domestically have always been harder to come by than int'l. I don't think that's changed. Also depends on property, location, # of elites checking in before you, especially PP & Ps, or other golds, etc.

Cheers.

Thanks.... weird though because after being told at check-in, there are NO upgrades available- I go my room, pull up Marriott.com- then my hotel, and see all kinds of upgraded rooms still available to reserve.

I'm not someone who ever asks for UGs, but since turning PP in January, my UG% is spectacular. Prior to that, as a Plat for years, my UG% was close to nil. When I'm at a FS or Ren, I'm probably hitting over 75% on suites.

This includes awesome two room suites at the Charleston SC Ren, the Ypsilanti FS, the Lavonia MI FS, Houston Marriott Galleria, Dallas Medical Center FS, STL Airport Ren, Little Rock FS (one of the few renovated rooms) and Mobile Riverview Ren. It may be that Gold and Plat just aren't high enough on the totem pole to get UGs when there are PPs in the house. If the often cited statistic that PP is the top 3% of guests, and a hotel has 200 rooms, including four suites, if you aren't PP, there's a good chance you're not close to being the top guest in the hotel that night. In that example, only the top 2% could be accommodated with suites, and only if nobody actually purchases them or there not being used as part of a conference package, and there is likely a higher percentage of PP staying that night.

Never hurts to ask at check-in. Although don't expect to jump up from a "Guest Room garden view" to a "Suite ocean view" because you see that available on the website. My history of UGs have been from "Guest Room garden view" to "Larger Guest Room garden view."

That is very, very common. What the corporation promise, the franchisee OFTEN don't want to deliver on.... Some properties get it, most don't without a fight. And there are 2 levels ahead of you, PLT and PLT Premier, I wouldn't expect anything as Gold.

Upgrades are a myth. With 20-70 Plat folks checking in on Sundays or Mondays for biz at most decent locations, you should reset the expectation for domestic perks as a Plat. Gold, laughable.

I disagree. As PP I see suites, and corner rooms on a regular basis on my 1-2 night stays.

As LP and PP I haven't been upgraded in years. I stay at big properties for 3-5 nights minimum so there is little chance for 4 night upgrade versus a one or two night. I have stated that before as a likely factor but as an advertised perk, I never see it. Not really complaining, just a fact as Marriott has been good to me over the years.