Dec 4, 2018, 10:44 am
Last edit by: HHQX888
Ambassador Service general email address: [email protected]
Ambassador Service general phone line (USA): (866) 924-9885
Europe: +353-21-4861 222
USA: +1-866-924-9885
Asia : +86-20-38157156
Ambassador Service general phone line (USA): (866) 924-9885
Europe: +353-21-4861 222
USA: +1-866-924-9885
Asia : +86-20-38157156
Marriott Bonvoy ‘Ambassador Elite’ Level : experiences (2020 and earlier)
Jul 23, 2018, 6:54 am
#331
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Melia Platinum, SIXT Platinum, Accor Silver, Lufthansa FTL
Posts: 381
I would even go so far to express my hope that Marriott will closely monitor the amount of people with ambassadors to either raise or lower the spending limit to ensure that not too much people get an ambassador. That would benefit its users and ensure its usefulness.
Jul 23, 2018, 8:26 am
#332
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,655
It would be nice if bhrubin would start a new and improved "Marriott Plat Premier with Ambassador status & Ambassador Experiences" thread which contained mostly experiences.
Jul 23, 2018, 9:13 am
#333
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Since I started this thread on April 30, I’ve only had stays at the following six (6) hotels...with plenty of data points demonstrating the value of Ambassador service.
(1) Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho for 3 nights, May 2018, Expert Review here: https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...d-service-2620
Highlights:
(a) BRG of $234 approved
(b) granted 7:15 am early check in despite Your24 officially declined, obviously due to Ambassador status...in spite of no one at front desk indicating any recognition beyond my Platinum status.
(c) upgraded to Kioicho Suite despite SNAs declined, obviously pre-assigned upgrade due to Ambassador status
(d) treated like gold by entire hotel staff throughout stay, recognized by name by concierge staff, front desk staff, restaurant staff, valets, and lounge staff...in spite of no one at front desk indicating any recognition beyond my Platinum status
(2) Suiran Kyoto for 5 nights, May 2018 Expert Review here: https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...g-service-2621
Highlights:
(a) Pre-upgraded over 6 months in advance to best non-suite Premier Room on award stay, obviously due to Ambassador status
(b) negotiated further paid upgrade to Presidential Suite at fantastic rate, obviously due to Ambassador status
(c) concierge arranged every Michelin restaurant booking we requested, so much so that we had to cancel a few!
(d) treated like gold by entire hotel staff throughout stay, recognized by name by almost everyone on staff.,all despite no one recognizing or mentioning that I had anything more than Platinum status. Amazing.
(e) provided extra air con fan units in suite bedroom and suite living room to ensure my comfort, something obviously done ONLY due to my Ambassador status
(f) provided private dining room for free (normally a $350 charge per use) for every breakfast and dinner in order to have it cooled to 19 C for my comfort, something obviously done ONLY due to my Ambassador status
(g) met by GM to apologize for air con semi-fail on our first night, probably due to my Ambassador status
(h) opened up riverside lounge restaurant an hour early for us to have iced coffees one morning on my request, obviously due to my Ambassador status
(3) Ritz Carlton Kyoto for 2 nights, May 2018 Expert Review here: https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...-recovery-2624
Highlights:
(a) upgraded on award stay to Suite Kamogawa, probably due to service recovery for poor concierge service pre-arrival and possibly due to my known Ambassador status—because I told them of my status!
(b) met Guest Relations Manager on arrival, met GM on departure
(c) concierge got it together in the end
(4) St Regis Osaka for 3 nights, May 2018 Expert Review here: https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...ew-issues-2626
Highlights:
(a) upgraded on award stay to best room category available despite being sold out for several weddings
(b) treated like gold at every step, including manager greeting in arrival and in room check in on arrival, manager handling car service payment on arrival when credit card wouldn’t go things, recognized by most HIMEL staff throughout stay, entirely due to my Ambassador status
(c) recognized by name in elevator by executive chef who knew we’d dine with him for our last night, invited us for a special anniversary dinner—which turned out to be Michelin worthy highlight meal of our stay in Osaka, obviously due to my Ambassador status
(d) received special treatment and VIP seating at hotel bar every time, obviously due to Ambassador status
(e) met with Director of Rooms in stay and at end of stay, almost certainly due to Ambassador status
(5) Westin San Jose for 2 nights for nephew’s wedding, late June 2018
Highlights:
(a) allowed to bring our 110 lb Ridgeback despite 50 lb weight limit, obviously due to my Ambassador status and repeat business
(b) upgraded to nicer Studio Suite without request, obviously due to Ambassador status and repeat business...despite no one at front desk saying anything about more than Platinum status. Amazing.
(c) rate adjusted/reduced by almost half after moved due to air con preference to smaller Studio Suite
(d) treated like gold be every staff member, most of whom know us all by name, obviously due to Ambassador stays and repeat business
(e) treated to free drinks in bar by restaurant manager during false fire alarm, recognized even though we’d never previously met, evens with our dog, obviously due to VIP Ambassador status
(6) St Regis San Francisco for 3 nights, early July 2018
Highlights:
(a) upgraded to my favorite Metropolitan Suite (with specially installed blackout shades for me) on a paid entry level stay, obviously due to my Ambassador status and repeat business
(b) allowed to bring our 110 lb Rhodesian Ridgebabck for 2nd time despite 35 lb weight limit, obviously due to Ambassador status and repeat business
(c) allowed to "check in" from 11:15 am despite Your24 being officially declined, actually brought straight to suite without any check in or mention of any status...obviously due to Ambassador status and related business
(d) recognized by almost everyone in hotel, originally due to Ambassador status but also due to my repeat business
(e) given priority seating at restaurant every time, obviously due to Ambassador status and repeat bsuiness
(f) given priority seating at bar, even with our dog, due to Ambassador status and repeat business
(f) treated like gold as always, even taken to suite without official check in, allowed to check in later when it was convenient as we left for dog walk!
Imagine that one can get such VIP treatment despite not a single person at any front desk mentioning my Ambassador/VIP status! Of course, three of those hotels didn’t even check us in at the front desk, instead providing a truly luxurious experience by checking us inin the comfort of our room or suite. That doesn’t happen at Marriott portfolio hotels, even at JW Marriott or Edition hotels...ever. It happens at proper luxury hotels, though...and especially when you’re a VIP—even if they don’t call you one.
Imagine that anyone uncomfortable with any element of such recognition could just let their Ambassador know--so that hotels don't treat you with any special treatment or recognition. Just as my Ambassador impresses on the hotels the critical importance of air conditioning for me, someone else's Ambassador can impress on hotels the concomitant need to avoid recognition. The key element here is that Ambassador service provides a far more personalized and individual experience for your stays--something that is largely unknown at most Marriott brands and which is far more common in the SPG luxury brands.
Oops.
Starwood Ambassador service doesn’t always happen in a vacuum, as seems to be the case with the current trial Marriott “concierge/Ambassador” experiment to introduce the concept into the Marriott universe. Starwood Ambassador service happens also in conjunction with the hotels at which we stay. The Ambassador and management teams at hotels can work together to personalize and enhance a menber’s stay. It doesn’t happen as some special magical recognition moment at check-in; it happens as enhanced and elevated service and special treatment throughout one’s stay.
Marriott is copying everything Starwood does for its elites. It stands to reason that Marriott is also planning for the new Ambassador program to copy Starwood’s, as well. The current Marriott “concierge/Ambassador” trial run doesn’t even come close, as evidenced by the dearth of any examples at all in any of the many Marriott threads on the subject.
For the record, I’ll be back again at the StR San Francisco over Labor Day weekend (3 nights), at the StR Florence at end of Sept/early Oct (5 nights), at La Bandita Townhouse Pienza (my first ever Design) in early Oct (3 nights), at Atlantis by Giardino Zurich (Design) in Oct (2 nights), and at the StR Bal Harbour for the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show end of Oct/early Nov (5 nights). I know I'll be back at the StR San Francisco in Nov and Dec, as well--other hotel stays TBD. More highlights to come, even though Design Hotels like LBT and Alantis officially don’t recognize Platinum/Ambassador status in same way.
Last edited by bhrubin; Jul 23, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Jul 23, 2018, 9:54 am
#334
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,819
(6) St Regis San Francisco for 3 nights, early July 2018
Highlights:
(a) upgraded to my favorite Metropolitan Suite (with specially installed blackout shades for me) on a paid entry level stay, obviously due to my Ambassador status and repeat business
(b) allowed to bring our 110 lb Rhodesian Ridgebabck for 2nd time despite 35 lb weight limit, obviously due to Ambassador status and repeat business
(c) allowed to "check in" from 11:15 am despite Your24 being officially declined, actually brought straight to suite without any check in or mention of any status...obviously due to Ambassador status and related business
(d) recognized by almost everyone in hotel, originally due to Ambassador status but also due to my repeat business
(e) given priority seating at restaurant every time, obviously due to Ambassador status and repeat bsuiness
(f) given priority seating at bar, even with our dog, due to Ambassador status and repeat business
(f) treated like gold as always, even taken to suite without official check in, allowed to check in later when it was convenient as we left for dog walk!
Imagine that one can get such VIP treatment despite not a single person at any front desk mentioning my Ambassador/VIP status! Of course, three of those hotels didn’t even check us in at the front desk, instead providing a truly luxurious experience by checking us inin the comfort of our room or suite. That doesn’t happen at Marriott portfolio hotels, even at JW Marriott or Edition hotels...ever. It happens at proper luxury hotels, though...and especially when you’re a VIP—even if they don’t call you one.
Imagine that anyone uncomfortable with any element of such recognition could just let their Ambassador know--so that hotels don't treat you with any special treatment or recognition. Just as my Ambassador impresses on the hotels the critical importance of air conditioning for me, someone else's Ambassador can impress on hotels the concomitant need to avoid recognition. The key element here is that Ambassador service provides a far more personalized and individual experience for your stays--something that is largely unknown at most Marriott brands and which is far more common in the SPG luxury brands.
Oops.
For the record, I’ll be back again at the StR San Francisco over Labor Day weekend (3 nights), at the StR Florence at end of Sept/early Oct (5 nights), at La Bandita Townhouse Pienza (my first ever Design) in early Oct (3 nights), at Atlantis by Giardino Zurich (Design) in Oct (2 nights), and at the StR Bal Harbour for the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show end of Oct/early Nov (5 nights). I know I'll be back at the StR San Francisco in Nov and Dec, as well--other hotel stays TBD. More highlights to come, even though Design Hotels like LBT and Alantis officially don’t recognize Platinum/Ambassador status in same way.
Would like to compare the treatment between regular ambassador SPG vs normal first timer PLT
Jul 23, 2018, 10:02 am
#335
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
But since we'll overlap, maybe we can meet at the bar for a drink over Aug 31 - Sept 2?
Jul 23, 2018, 11:52 am
#336
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,970
Jul 23, 2018, 12:36 pm
#337
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
I would even go so far to express my hope that Marriott will closely monitor the amount of people with ambassadors to either raise or lower the spending limit to ensure that not too much people get an ambassador. That would benefit its users and ensure its usefulness.
Jul 23, 2018, 1:36 pm
#338
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Another data point for Ambassador service:
I had several dinners in spring at The Lambs Club in the Chatwal Luxury Collection hotel in NYC and at Clink in the Liberty Luxury Collection hotel in Boston--but the points never properly posted, as is so common with SPG dining when not staying at the hotel. But the dining spend qualifies for points (and bonus) with SPG.
So I simply emailed copies of my credit card invoices to my Ambassador showing the charges. The points (and my concomitant 4x bonus) were posted to my account within a few days. Easy, simple, wonderful. And a lot of points!
FWIW, I highly recommend both The Lambs Club and Clink!
I had several dinners in spring at The Lambs Club in the Chatwal Luxury Collection hotel in NYC and at Clink in the Liberty Luxury Collection hotel in Boston--but the points never properly posted, as is so common with SPG dining when not staying at the hotel. But the dining spend qualifies for points (and bonus) with SPG.
So I simply emailed copies of my credit card invoices to my Ambassador showing the charges. The points (and my concomitant 4x bonus) were posted to my account within a few days. Easy, simple, wonderful. And a lot of points!
FWIW, I highly recommend both The Lambs Club and Clink!
Jul 23, 2018, 9:52 pm
#339
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,819
Personally I think being a frequent guest will give you better treatment compare to just ambassador status.
Sure for the meet up
Jul 24, 2018, 3:04 am
#340
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Melia Platinum, SIXT Platinum, Accor Silver, Lufthansa FTL
Posts: 381
The whole point of the ambassador program is in exclusiveness and the additional benefits such a program should provide. If too many people get an ambassador then there will be less exclusiveness and also less benefits. That doesn't serve any purpose and then you can just stay with Plat Premier status at 75 nights and give additional suite upgrade vouchers or something else at reaching higher night- or stay-levels.
I surely hope that the 20k$ limit was well thought out.
I surely hope that the 20k$ limit was well thought out.
Jul 24, 2018, 6:28 am
#341
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,730
I'm one of the apparently better looked after Ambassador guests and only got a pre-arrival email and an upgrade to a rather inconveniently shaped corner room.
Jul 24, 2018, 8:46 am
#342
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The whole point of the ambassador program is in exclusiveness and the additional benefits such a program should provide. If too many people get an ambassador then there will be less exclusiveness and also less benefits. That doesn't serve any purpose and then you can just stay with Plat Premier status at 75 nights and give additional suite upgrade vouchers or something else at reaching higher night- or stay-levels.
I surely hope that the 20k$ limit was well thought out.
I surely hope that the 20k$ limit was well thought out.
It's very disappointing that we're almost to August and no terms and conditions have been released.
Jul 24, 2018, 10:33 am
#343
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,655
100 nights and $20,000 isn't much of a threshold. As much as I and others have griped about $20,000 -- particularly if you're in the Middle East or Asia, where room rates are much cheaper -- it seems like the night threshold should have been raised to 125 or even 150. Maybe the 100 nights will be butt-in-bed nights and exclude nights from credit card bonuses, events and the like.
It's very disappointing that we're almost to August and no terms and conditions have been released.
It's very disappointing that we're almost to August and no terms and conditions have been released.
Jul 24, 2018, 10:54 am
#344
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
We stayed there earlier this month (just missed bhrubin by a few days) and were extremely pleased by our elite recognition (I just made Ambassador a few months ago)
We were upgraded to a Metropolitan Suite (my understanding is the suite is privately referred to as the "Rubin Suite" since it has the (awesome) custom black out curtains in the bedroom) We also received nice welcome gifts. Mostly just really excellent service throughout our stay. We have stayed at the St. Regis before (maybe 5 times in the last 12 years) Not what one would call a frequent guest.
I do find that we receive amazing service at the St. Regis hotels we have visited (of the 10 or so we have tried the only slight disappointment was St. Regis Rome) It's one of our favorite brands.
My real "test run" of my Ambassador status will be on our October trip to Paris and Greece. We will be celebrating a big anniversary and it will be the first time I ask my Ambassador to reach out in advance to the hotels.
Last edited by damon88; Jul 24, 2018 at 11:39 am
Jul 24, 2018, 12:20 pm
#345
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Or it's when a hotel makes a big deal about sending you a bottle of wine as an amenity or service recovery only to discover it's a $5 bottle of wine.
My platinum premier status has been helpful just when you'd want it to be helpful. Hopefully, that's the case with ambassador.
I can generally expense food and drinks. I also don't eat sweets. So I don't find much value in a plate of chocolate candy or a bowl of snacks. I'd rather have something different, like a robe with my name on it or a T-shirt with the hotel's name on it.