When I stayed at the Marriott Midway in Chicago this weekend, I was greeted with a, "We sure do appreciate your being a Silver Elite Member."

Then nothing.

The upgrade I got at the San Francisco Marriott as a silver is indicative of that property's desire to give elites better treatment. I have not stayed their as a platinum or gold, but it appears that they are generous about giving elites upgrades from the posts of others on FT. As a silver, you should not expect to get upgraded in the same manner as a gold or platinum.

As a silver I have only been upgraded once in the US, on a weekend to C-floor. Other times when traveling with my co-workers who are Plat or Plat Premier, I could ask for lounge access and get it more often than not. But as others have said a smile will get as much as the silver card.

I've had pretty good luck with upgrades. I often get upgraded to some kind of "view" room, and I even get upgraded to the C-level about 5-10% of the time (most recently at the excellent Memphis Marriott East). Once in a blue moon, they give me b'fast coupons.

There's no discernable pattern (weekend v. weekday, high v. low occupancy, etc.).

A few times last year as a silver at the Hanover, NJ property I received Silver Elite coupons for a free in room movie. They were a nice bonus.

I also wonder if how many points you have or how close to being gold might be a factor coupled with the temperment / generousity of the Front Desk clerk. Again, no ryme or reason but I seemed to get CL access more when I got close and would actively ask for it.

How ever, one rule generally applies for me, if you count on it, or need it (for instance a suite when traveling with your family), I never seem to get it no matter how nice I ask or the comment I place in the record!

Spring Hill Suites in Seattle acknowledged me as a silver member and gave me a coupon for a free drink from their market.

We got breakfast included on our 4 night stay at the Renaissance Marriott NY Times Square without asking for anything! We experienced great staff and would return there in a minute!

Depends on the hotel. I've gotten lounge access without paying for it at some; and at others, they didn't want to give me lounge access even though I booked a concierge-level room! I like the 20% bonus, but that's all I ever count on.

Having been Silver, then Gold, and now Silver again, I can tell you that difference is stark. However, as a Silver, I have from time to time gotten Lounge access without asking (probably a slow week at the hotel), and got an upgrade at the Manhattan Beach Marriott in LA and the Atlanta Airport where I was spending 10 nights on a project.

At one hotel, they left that little slip in my folio that has all your points, recent stays, etc. One block on their said "Marriott Focus" or something to that effect, with "Yes" beside it. Have no idea what that means or if it means anything towards how you are treated???? Does anyone on here know?

Fairfax, VA Marriott gave me Lounge access. They also said that Internet access was free for Silver members - regularly $9.95/day.

I got a free full buffet breakfast for two at the Marriott Ontario Airport. I am not even a Silver, my brother is, who made the award reservation in my name. They treated me as if I was the silver member.

So am I safe to assume that of a Plat member made the reservation in my name, I would receive the Plat perks??

Only once upgraded as a silver. Felt great to have concierge level access!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...naissance.html

Free Concierge Lounge access at the Hotel Minneapolis (Autograph Collection) is a stated benefit at that hotel for Silver members.

I have stayed three nights in May at Marriott. I just completed a 10 night stay at a Marriott. Will I get the Silver 20% bonus for the points earned on my most recent stay, or only on future stays?