OK, here's the deal. I am in San Fran for the next 19 weeks. I stayed at the SF Marriott the first 2 weeks for a total of 21 weeks with 4 nights a week booked and 3 weekends. I got a nice rate for the customer for 209.00 a night for the first 2 weeks. The next few weeks the rate skyrockets and I am priced out (299.00). The SF Marriott(SFM) is walking distance to the office and it's in a good location. So I call the reservation line at the hotel and tell them that the new rate is 279.00 and the Grand Hyatt is 195.00 for my company. I ask them to match the rate so I don't have to switch to the Hyatt. They said no. I said no prob. I sent rewards an email explaining to them that I am Plat and would rather stay at the SFM then the Hyatt for the next 19 weeks. I explained to them that I estimated $15k in room charges for the next 19 weeks and they still didn't care. Is it just me or or they nuts. I would take $15k in revenue anyday then turn it away. I told them I would probably not come back to the SFM unless they changed the rate and I won't be checking everyday, etc. I am now booked at the Grand Hyatt through May(already a Plat member there too)and I asked Marriott rewards "do you really care?" because if that was my company I would take the rate match and through in a few perks to match. Oh well, any other stories or suggestions to get a rate match.

Welcome to FT

I have seen this reported many times on FT. Just because it makes sense to you and I, doesn't mean it will to Marriott. You can try contacting the hotel sales manager and see if they can help you out.

You can also try and get a LNF rate for all the nights you need that way you stay where you want and screw them in the end.. hopefully with a lower rate than what you originally proposed

You can post your LNF request for assistance here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=789113

I'm wondering if these are business decisions that Marriott has deemed too risky to be decided upon by CSRs. Understanding the ~$15K that was turned away, I'm wondering if Marriott has assessed the potential risks of entering into bad deals to be too great, when viewed at the macro level. Also, this type of decision-making would require much evaluation and thought, and probably not something that a CSR could implement if relying upon a set of standard operating procedures. The decision would be case-specific. Nevertheless, how frustrating. If you prefer the Marriott, then I agree with imverge that you should stop by and speak with the appropriate hotel manager.

The premise of this thread is that:

1. The two hotels are equivalent.
2. Marriott is "losing revenue" by turning away the OP.
3. Marriott isn't treating the OP well.

Perhaps the SFM is the better hotel (I don't know) and perhaps it has a very high occupancy rate. If so, they're losing $84 per night for a heck of a long time. If I were the GM of the hotel, even super-duper platinum status wouldn't be enough to match the rate and give up $11k (84 * 7 * 19) in marginal revenue.

Exactly. I would suggest the OP call the GM of the SFM to discuss with him personally. In fact, nearly every rate is negotiable, and rates over 30 days don't pay tax. I wonder if OP would be better off just booking a monthly+ rate regardless. But definitely suggest contacting the GM. The GM could easily make this happen in everyone's best interest (OP's, SFM, MR, though not Hyatt)

while 15K sounds like a lot the hotel has a ton of history and stats to backup their decision which I'm assuming in this case shows that they will actually make more than 15K in revenue during your stay - so basically what they are saying is by accepting your 15K they are guaranteed to make less revenue than if they had not accepted your revenue

Agree, call the hotel and talk to the GM directly if you are looking for a special rate for just your stay. However, if anyone else in your company expects to stay at this hotel in 2008, it might be worth while to negotiate a rate for your company by promising xxx nights a year. Perhaps you should contact the sales group.

good luck!

Well the company I work for has 20000 traveling professionals. All we do is travel and have a generous discount through corp travel with Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott and some Hyatt's. I will call the GM at the SFM at see what he says. I might as well earn my Hyatt Plat status for 2009/10 with the spring promotion for double night for status. I might switch back to Hyatt in general since drinks are for free in the club and my wife likes Hyatt better but i am racking up over 400k marriott points so it's tough to give up. I personally don't think our discounts are that good but they guarantee late arrivals, red-eye checkin's, and late checkout all guaranteed. I just found it abnormal to not rate match a competitive hotel for a Plat Member for an extended stay 3 blocks away.

If the hotel is full for the next 19 weeks at a higher rate then god bless em'. Then I am peanuts in that case and SOL. But it's not, I checked many weeks in advance and there are rooms available for like the next 11 weeks. So an empty room or a occupied room for 200.00 a night. I thought it would be an easy choice but what do I know.

Reservations agents generally don't have control over that type of stuff - you should be referred to the GM or the sales manager.