Marriott cutting back on Internet speed for elites?
 

Marriott has been very generous with their Internet policy for Golds and Platinums, allowing the "high speed" tier for complimentary access. This is a big benefit over what some of the other chains (<cough>Hilton<cough>) were offering (sometimes enough to sway my business).

Now that Marriott is extending its free Internet to all elites, are they going to cut back on the high-speed option?

Here's what happened to me at the Pleasanton (CA) Marriott: As a Platinum, I was given a sticker affixed to my key packet for Internet access. When I connected, the speed was very slow (.9 mbs at 4 AM). When I mentioned this to the front desk, they were apologetic, but there was nothing they could do. Is this a single property-specific thing or a harbinger of things to come? It will be pretty crappy if they do.

It appears to be a one-off with everybody at the property getting lousy internet. The current policy is that beginning 1/15/15 everybody, Marriott Rewards member or not, will receive free internet in their rooms as long as the reservation was made through the Marriott website. Plats and golds only will receive enhanced internet without additional charge.

There doesn't seem to be any reason for Marriott properties to cut back the quality of their premium "High Speed" Internet service option. In fact, it's important to provide a noticeable improvement so that guests who are not Gold or Platinum members will continue to purchase the premium service despite the free basic service.

I wish Marriott would define what speeds guests should be able to expect from the two levels and to enforce brand standards for those speeds.

The time when anything faster than dial-up was "high speed" has passed long ago.

I was recently getting an incredible 100 Mbps (and no login page) at a Marriott property. After a few days, it dropped to a still decent 5 Mbps (and there was then a login page). Apparently something was set up wrong at first, bypassing authentication and not throttling bandwidth to users at all.

I have stayed at that property several times and the internet is always slow.

I was in New Orleans this week and the internet was blazing fast.

Doubt it is anything more than a one off experience.

Was at three Marriotts in last 3 weeks --

Doha Marriott -- had free internet plus an option for enhanced high speed internet that had a cost to it. Speed was atrocious - 100K down 1 meg up. No content firewall. Both wireless and Ethernet cable in room. (no difference in speeds).

Dubai JW Marriott -- had same policy speed was better -- 2meg down and 1 meg up with content firewall. Both wireless and Ethernet cable in room.

Renaissance Vienna - 13 meg up and down -- wireless only.

I always sign up for the fastest version and I've never had an issue having it removed in the event that it posts to my account.

Stayed very recently at both Camelback and Starr Pass and was surprised to find that there was only one level of internet speed to choose from, so no special benefit to Golds/Plats, particularly since everyone must pay their resort fees, which includes the 'benefit' of free internet.

Some of the Marriotts in Michigan--Livonia, as an example--don't have an enhanced wireless option.

I, for one, want to know what Marriott is going to do for platinums. They are giving free internet to just about everyone now. What are they going to give us to replace this devaluation? And, you know darn well that internet speeds will be slower at big, popular hotels if every Tom, Dick and Harry is on it.

The namesakes for the three tunnels in The Great Escape all don't travel with laptops and/or tablets. Elites streaming/downloading movies, porn and torrents may be a bigger issue.

Simply stated, its gonna suck for us all during prime hours. How can it get any better with more users?

Renaissance Dallas Richardson, TX
 

Renaissance Dallas Richardson, TX

Super Fast internet $16.95/day (vs $12.95 for Fast)

Download 6mbps
Upload 0.61mpbs

...?

JW Marriott Miami and FLL Marriott North had some horrid speeds this past week. :mad:

Can somebody please define what, "enhanced Internet access," is, please? This is an item that is free for Gold and Platinum Elite members and charged for other members. So, what makes it different from regular Internet access? If you cannot define it, you cannot deliver it. If you cannot deliver it, it cannot be charged for or put on a contract line item. If it is on a contract as a deliverable, but cannot be, then the contract is in breach.

Thus, please define it

Short of using throttling controls, it's mostly a play on words to allow the property to charge a higher fee. Just like the difference between a standard/deluxe/club room. I rarely see a difference in the room, yet they can have vastly different rates.

When it comes to internet service, they will have a tough time meeting any defined specs as usage will make a big difference. If you've got 20 people on the higher tier, all streaming video or the such, your performance might not be any better than what you would get on the basic service if everyone is merely reading emails or minor web surfing. You're not going to be able to prove misrepresentation on their part as the "T&Cs" will not guarantee anything.

I've seen where some properties have implemented three tiers and I'm sure they will claim the highest tier is not an elite benefit. That I hope MR slaps down quickly.

You see, the thing is that if it is an item that is PAID for, they have to be able to define it. If they cannot define it, then they cannot deliver it for a price. It isn't misrepresentation per se; it is failure to deliver contractual obligation. They don't need to guarantee a speed, but they do need to define the product.