500 MR Points for Checking Out at the Front Desk
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
500 MR Points for Checking Out at the Front Desk
Never seen this before...
When checking into the Marriott Ft Lauderdale North yesterday, the front desk clerk gave me a small blue piece of paper which stated if a guest handed this piece of paper to the front desk when stopping by to check out, the guest would get 500 MR points. I'm a just-walk-out-the-door kinda guy, but 500 points is 500 points, so, of course, I stopped by the front desk and handed the paper over when leaving.
Brilliant way to get people to actually let the hotel know when they are leaving.
When checking into the Marriott Ft Lauderdale North yesterday, the front desk clerk gave me a small blue piece of paper which stated if a guest handed this piece of paper to the front desk when stopping by to check out, the guest would get 500 MR points. I'm a just-walk-out-the-door kinda guy, but 500 points is 500 points, so, of course, I stopped by the front desk and handed the paper over when leaving.
Brilliant way to get people to actually let the hotel know when they are leaving.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
Great idea. It would be even better if checking out by any means generated points -- and in a way that the earlier we check out the more points we get.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: MR/SPG Plat, HH Gold, DL PM
Posts: 413
Perhaps this is a way to help them manage late check-outs better. I sometimes check out prior to the agreed-upon time, even when granted a late checkout, so as a courtesy I generally do my best to let them know when I leave earlier than expected, even if that means just using the app or doing it in-room.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,688
Never seen this before...
When checking into the Marriott Ft Lauderdale North yesterday, the front desk clerk gave me a small blue piece of paper which stated if a guest handed this piece of paper to the front desk when stopping by to check out, the guest would get 500 MR points. I'm a just-walk-out-the-door kinda guy, but 500 points is 500 points, so, of course, I stopped by the front desk and handed the paper over when leaving.
Brilliant way to get people to actually let the hotel know when they are leaving.
When checking into the Marriott Ft Lauderdale North yesterday, the front desk clerk gave me a small blue piece of paper which stated if a guest handed this piece of paper to the front desk when stopping by to check out, the guest would get 500 MR points. I'm a just-walk-out-the-door kinda guy, but 500 points is 500 points, so, of course, I stopped by the front desk and handed the paper over when leaving.
Brilliant way to get people to actually let the hotel know when they are leaving.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28240443-post18.html
But does this work in practice given the paper lists I see on the housekeeping carts at 8AM? Say lists are generated and distributed at 7:55AM with the most current checkout status. People continue to checkout gradually between 8-12 and inform the desk at a 1000 room Marriott. How does this info reach the actual person cleaning the rooms? I can't imagine a radio call to a supervisor after every checkout to update the paper.
Just wondering being systems oriented. There has to be an optimal way.
Perhaps a 500 point incentive to call or leave early?
Just wondering being systems oriented. There has to be an optimal way.
Perhaps a 500 point incentive to call or leave early?
#5
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I always walk past the front desk and place my keys on the desk. This won't change my behaviour.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,287
We had a stay at the FLL North Marriot three weeks ago and received the same notice. 500 points is well worth the extra 30 seconds it took to check out. On a side note, that is a great hotel. The pool/hot-tub area is fantastic and they really treated us well as an elite.
#7
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I'd love this, although it would be better if one didn't need to remember to turn in the blue paper announcing it. I almost always do check out at the front desk (unless there's a line and I'm in a hurry), so it wouldn't change my behavior much, but the extra points would be nice.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,688
If I was a GM at a hotel, especially one that embraces the late checkout benefit, I'd incentivize notice of checkout in several manners to take the guess work out of whether the room can be cleaned. The cost of the 500 points is measly compared to housekeeping overtime.
I've never stopped by the desk or known anyone that does unless there was an issue with the bill. Especially with the ever present line.
Put out a box, leave the keys with small paper slip and offer 500 points or a candy bar as a reward and I bet compliance soars.
I've never stopped by the desk or known anyone that does unless there was an issue with the bill. Especially with the ever present line.
Put out a box, leave the keys with small paper slip and offer 500 points or a candy bar as a reward and I bet compliance soars.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
It's embarrassing how important that little piece of paper became to me. Not only could it not be lost, but it had to be somewhere I'd remember to stop by the front desk and not find it in a pocket two days later.
#10
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Do we know if this is just a regional thing? So far the reports are for two FLL properties.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I'm not seeing a second property, only the FLL Marriott North. Am I missing the second property?
#12
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#13
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: MR/SPG Plat, HH Gold, DL PM
Posts: 413
Agreed; I'm not familiar with the area, but both reports so far appear to be for the same property, unless Fort Lauderdale North is north of the city and FLL North is a location north of the airport. The question still remains though as to whether this incentive is isolated to one particular area (or property).
#14
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,688
I spent 1 night here 10+ years ago and was very impressed, definitely one of the better run Marriott's out there.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Agreed; I'm not familiar with the area, but both reports so far appear to be for the same property, unless Fort Lauderdale North is north of the city and FLL North is a location north of the airport. The question still remains though as to whether this incentive is isolated to one particular area (or property).
I have had a difficult history with this property, but it seems to have improved significantly. There has been a recent renovation and staff/maintenance issues seemed to have worked themselves out. The property was very close to where an elderly relative lived, so I would stay there out of convenience. The relative has since moved on, so it's no longer usually geographically convenient, but my few stays over the past couple years have been excellent.