FALSE RUMOR: Marriott to restrict access to international lounges
Oct 7, 2014, 6:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Location: LA
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FALSE RUMOR: Marriott to restrict access to international lounges
Let me start off by saying this is just speculation and potentially a rumor. I was talking with a Marriott GM in UK, and he was stating that beginning January 1, 2015, all lounge access for elites will be closed at international Marriott hotels (outside U.S.).
I took this as complete crap, but he was very adamant and said notification came out in late September on this from corporate. So I of course sent a message to Marriott, and received the note back that basically said Marriott continually evaluates the services for guests, including lounge access, and are subject to change at any time.
They didn't quite answer my question, but they didn't say it wasn't happening. Anyone hearing anything?
I took this as complete crap, but he was very adamant and said notification came out in late September on this from corporate. So I of course sent a message to Marriott, and received the note back that basically said Marriott continually evaluates the services for guests, including lounge access, and are subject to change at any time.
They didn't quite answer my question, but they didn't say it wasn't happening. Anyone hearing anything?
Oct 7, 2014, 6:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
Hopefully not true.
If it were, i would be done with Marriott.
If it were, i would be done with Marriott.
Oct 7, 2014, 6:57 pm
#3
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Location: Aussie in ORD
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Nope.. I would be looking closely at who offers status matches if it is so..
Oct 7, 2014, 6:58 pm
#4
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Then what would they do - only charge for lounge access? With Marriott giving all United Premier Gold and above Marriot Gold status with lounge access - there are too many people.
If this is true, Marriott would be following UA with anti-customer tactics.
If this is true, Marriott would be following UA with anti-customer tactics.
Oct 7, 2014, 7:09 pm
#5
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Okay, so not close the lounges, but remove lounge access as a benefit for elites. Not a big fan of the thread title.
Oct 7, 2014, 9:01 pm
#6
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They could go the Hilton model. Golds get lounge only if upgraded to CL, Plats get it always.
Oct 7, 2014, 9:16 pm
#8
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Oct 7, 2014, 9:27 pm
#9
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And I can see the current 750 or continental breakfast being rolled out to more than just weekends. They have been laying the groundwork for restricting lounge access for awhile- whittling down the guests, etc.
Oct 7, 2014, 10:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
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There are some lounges which are so small or inadequately staffed, or poorly provisioned, or all of the above (are you listening Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview?), that a comped trip to the restaurant for breakfast instead of to the lounge, would be the proverbial blessing in disguise.
Oct 7, 2014, 10:40 pm
#11
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Oct 8, 2014, 12:50 am
#12
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To say that international props would limit access becasue of UA elites makes no sense.
Oct 8, 2014, 1:45 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Helsinki (Finland)
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I do doubt the competence of Marriott staff quite so often but they are not so stupid their solution to overcrowded US lounges would be to limit access to lounges outside of US.
Oct 8, 2014, 1:54 am
#15
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Lounge access is the main reason we are sticking with Marriott - if it's gone, then we'll definitely staying somewhere else. Some US lounges we have been are very nice - very international standard (don't know if there is anything to do with the fact that we don't drink).
I hope it's just a rumor.
I hope it's just a rumor.