What? I'm not sure where you have been staying, but I have never experienced this at a Marriott.


There are many perks that I have received from Platinum that stands out from Gold.

• Late check-out (And when requesting....extra late checkout).
• Free Breakfast (many times even on weekends by simply asking when CL closed, I'm not sure they would do this for Gold).
• Upgrades.....upgrades may not always be better as Platinum, but they are more often since they are given to Platinum before gold and I suspect sometimes bettter.
• Platinum Override (Nothing like being able to get a reservation when availability is nil.)

Suites don't need to be included, but I have found that many times they are:

*My last upgrade was excellent: a top floor executive suite suite and balcony overlooking the Thames and Big Bend at the London County Hall.

*Another recent memorable upgrade (on two occasions) was to the largest suite at the Marriott Dalmahoy.

I'm a good Marriott Plat for a lot of years, but I've got to say that this is really the ONLY true Plat benefit over Golds that is worth a darn to me at least. This is however a fantastic benefit and almost makes it all worthwhile!

It is a shame that Marriott doesn't do more for Plats considering how tough the qualification requirements are compared to other programs. At the very least, there should be a bigger point bonus spread than "20/25/30%", which is just downright insulting.

I guess the customer service aspects from Marriott are good as a Plat, but honestly, I just hardly ever need CS interventions. I book all my stays online and I rarely have any problems at properties, and I'm a very low maintenance customer. FWIW, the only CS problem I can remember having in the last year was in using an EEO certificate in Long Island which the hotel totally screwed up and lost at check-in, then wouldn't believe me or even try to help me (the manager wouldn't even come up to talk to me), charged me for the night anyway and it took multiple calls to Marriott to get my money back. Based on my (only) experience in the last year on that front, I'd hardly cite that as a reason to go for Plat over Gold!

To note: It is striking how much better the upgrades are as a SPG Plat for my much fewer nights a year vs. Marriott. To the OP: You'll get much more bang for your buck if you can swing those extra 25 nights the right way into getting SPG Plat (or HH, or Hyatt, etc.) too, and carry Marriott Gold & SPG Plat. Remember the rule if you have a choice: One night stays to Starwood, multi-night stays to Marriott!

In summary, for my $0.02: I personally don't think Plat is anything too special over Gold. If you're already doing the nites, great. But it's definitely not worth any big effort.

When I had the override they quoted me the rack rate and not the company negotiated rate. I am not quite sure a room is worth the full rack rate :confused:

And then you have to remember that they will only take your full rack rate if and only if they feel like it and don't wave their magic wand to declare an "event" to which the overide is unavailable... :rolleyes:

--DD73

I guess my stays had been with the bad Marriotts:eek: After so many nights in hotels, it does not take much to figure out wrinkled sheets relate to sheets not being changed. Mid week through, I get crisp sheets? :confused:

Watch out for towels close to the sink, many a times I have found remains of makeup material that someone had wiped in the back of the towel.

Platinum overrides have always triggered a full rack rate for me. Not sure I can pass that onto my accounting folks...

Overall it has been a "plain vanilla" experience being a Platinum or none with Marriott. Nothing special is what I have found it to be.

On the other hand, I had spent some time with the Elite Hotels in Sweden:

1. Takes 18 nights to make it to Black status (highest)
2. Free Movies, Internet access, 150 Kroner per day meals voucher (covers an excellent dinner at the restaurant), newspaper, full breakfast (best I have seen)
3. Front desk folks recognize your status and go over and beyond to meet your requirements. Plus they remember you while you stay there.
4. The funny part of the whole thing is when checking in, they always query how one manages their lives when they travel so much (18+ nights) :D When I mention that Marriott requires 75 nights to reach top status - They think we are crazy to spend so much time on the road.

:D They always seem to have an event that triggers all rooms at your negotiated rate have sold out. Until I threaten to check-in to a Hilton or SPG they wave their wand and I get my negotiated rate.

What is the cost/worth of missing the trip altogether? :confused: If you are in sales or consulting, not showing up can have a much higher collateral cost.

I have used the Platinum Override on several occasions and even though the rack rate was quoted when the reservation was made, when I checked in I simply asked for my corporate rate and they would change it on the spot.

You would expect them to do you that favor when giving the override instead of waiting for check-in time and give the spiel of "I need to check with our revenue department if they would allow it", "My manager would have to be consulted" BS. The Marriott in YYZ gave me that spiel and made me call their revenue department to request the corporate rate. When revenue department did not return the call, I had to call the Manager since the front desk would not do it for me.

Most customers have corporate rates with other chains in the vicinity and they always seem to have availability. Plus it does not mean there are no other hotels in the area other than the Marriott for one to miss a Sales or Consulting gig :confused:

IN GENERAL, I actually find the rate quoted to be reasonable on the overrides. The rates are usually what I am paying anyway (I don't get any company negotiated rates unless it's some sort of special event/meeting). I know the rates at the hotels I frequent, and the override rates are usually pretty much the same. Another great example is a hotel that only has suite rates available at an outrageous price. The override will allow me to get a regular rate. This actually happens frequently at one property I stay at.

I would say I use the override about 10 times a year on average. It is the one Plat benefit I value tremendously.

I have used the override dozens of times & have never run into an "event" problem.