But we did not get these every quarter this year-Only 3 EEO booklets were Offered.And there was a huge stretch of time between the experation of the old cert's and the issue of the new cert's.
There is a fact for you drtdk.
Also it is a FACT that the B1G1 has been further diminished by the reduction in the properties that Marriotts best customers can use them in.
Another FACT.

Yes, they were.... it's a 'gift' so no reason to complain but I'm disappointed.
Who am I to be considered ?
Short answer : no one.

It would be tenuous to argue that the EEOs are really useful overseas. As Marriott's footprint abroad has grown, the number of properties which allow the use of EEOs has not.

Seven weeks is not "huge" to everyone.
“Further diminished” from what and when? The list of U.S. Marriott hotels that honor the certificates has remained pretty constant over the last several offerings. The international hotels have always been rather limited.

Check your facts, son.

What has the EEO frequency and "lag" been in the past?

There has been a “lag” of at least a month for the last couple of years.

My take has always been that these "offers" are more like a promotion than an entitlement. As such, they come and go. I've never expected them to be continuously and perpetually available. Clearly others defiantly do.

I agree that most of them are in the sense of a promotion (like the Entertainment Card), but none the less quite useful for many. On the other hand they are an entitlement as they are a listed benefit of elite status.

By the way, "defiantly" or "definitely"?

Rewards offers in general may be an entitlement but any specific, individual offer is not.

I definitely meant “defiantly.” There is a self-important, affected mindset evident in some of these posts.

I heartily agree. Marriott has made light strides in its program from a couple of years ago, since Ed French came on board. It is no longer the sleepy giant it once was, and that is true of the Full Service hotel properties, as well.

What with the introduction of the new Visa Signature Premier card, the fact that they are actually running double points promotions -- one ongoing as we speak -- as well as fairly reliable posting of my and my wife's stays (my anecdotal experiences, no one else) and the itinerant Renaissance bonus points promotion, I think they are doing just fine.

Of course, there is going to be some aspect of some other program that might appeal to you at a given moment -- and I think one should seriously consider taking advantage of such a promotion if it is beneficial to you -- but I do believe that the program is going just fine.

Of course, it would be helpful if the Marriott Concierge posted what his findings were with respect to the delay in releasing the online certs, and if not released soon, those who wish to avail them for this weekend should be allowed to do so (perhaps by contacting the Platinum desk, as the intention was to release them yesterday), but I for one have no major problems with the rewards progam as it stands right now.

Of course there could be improvements, but what progam couldn't use them? ;)

OK-how do I respond to this without it escalating into a flame war?
Guess I will list the FACTS without falling into name calling as drtdk has done(son indeed!)BTW-this will be my last response to drtdk.
The list of properties has diminished over the last year and a half.At least one frequent poster(actually several I think)loved the fact that there were two great properties in london where they could use their EEO certs-That is not an option now-thus a depriciation of the value of the certs-It was there and now it is not-thus the "further diminished"return upon our investment in Marriott as a choice .That is very Black and white IMO.
And yes-Seven weeks is a huge delay in a program that is supposed to be offered quarterly.If a quarter of a year is 12 weeks a lag time of over half that period is extreme in most opinions.My facts are backed by history and written policy.
Why are some posters on this board such apologists for the shoddy treatment Marriott rewards has show its most loyal customers?

Really disappointed to hear EEO aren't valid at any European property after all this wait.

I occasionally travel with a MR Gold, and we have used EEOs in Liverpool, London and some other properties.

Hope for the next "quarter" then.

Yep, looks like the London FS properties where the B1G1's applied in the past are gone, leaving only these Egypt properties this quarter as the int'l FS properties.
- Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort
- Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Beach Resort
- Taba Heights Marriott Beach Resort

The trend continues with these EEO's ... we complain that they're late to begin with, then when they do arrive, it's harder to redeem outside the US. :td:

[QUOTE=bigguyinpasadena] Seven weeks is a huge delay in a program that is supposed to be offered quarterly.If a quarter of a year is 12 weeks a lag time of over half that period is extreme in most opinions.My facts are backed by history and written policy.
QUOTE]

On the one hand I agree totally. I'm also disappointed to see the disappearance of properties outside the U.S.

While I'm a fan and loyal customer of Marriott, I do not consider myself an apologist for the company. What we need to remember is that the program is intended to be a way to say "thanks" to Marriott's customers utilizing unsold inventory.....while hopefully driving some measure of extra revenue in the process.

On balance, "warts and all", its still a nice perk. If this is "shoddy treatment", I'll take it! But puh-leeze, Marriott, could you do something about the gaps that occur between the effective lifespan of the sets of coupons?

Your answer may be found in post 132 on page 9 of this thread.

I'd be very surprised to see anybody booking a stay with these properties directly... Usually a flight-transfer-hotel package to Egypt can be found for about the same price as flight only. Many of my relatives/friends/colleagues have visited resorts there... Always a travel agent package, no exceptions.

Trying not to complain, but I can't imagine any property in the world where B1G1 would be less useful.