Marriott Walking: Increasingly Frequent?
 

Almost a month ago I was walked from a Courtyard by Marriott. I met and complied with all the requirements for the Platinum Elite Ultimate Reservation Guarantee. After two weeks I had still not received the promised $100 check and two free night certificates. I faxed a reminder to the manager. I received the most curious reply. It included the statement: "In this day and age, we are encountering oversold periods on a more frequent basis and “walking a guest”, while uncomfortable for everyone involved, has become increasingly necessary."

Is this true of Marriott properties in general? This was the first time in over 25 years that I have been walked!

If this is true, I would expect this property to have been better prepared to fulfill the URG. I still have not received the compensation.

I had a coworker walked last night. Firts time it has happened to anybody work with or myself. Unbelievable thing is that it was part of an room block for a meeting that was being held on the actual premise. Wonder if they are going to charge me for not reaching me room block!

it is not true...not sure why someone would say that, it does happen at times but hotels do a better job of managing their inventory than the airlines do

The GM made excuses, and did not address your request, don't waste anymore time with him. Send your complaint and request directly to Bill Marriott's office along with a copy of the denial from the GM.

BTW, what CY is this so the rest of us can either avoid it or be prepared.

Thx.

Thanks, Socrates, for your wisdom. I thought it was an unusual way for the GM to make an excuse.

Aaupgrade, my request has not been denied per se. Along with apologies and excuses, the GM on 22 May, assured me I could expect the $100 and two free-night certificates by the end of May. That hasn't happened yet, but I wanted to give the GM a few more days before I make a noise about the walk, and the inadequacy of response by the GM.

I'm holding my response to the Marriott Customer Relations survey regarding this stay as well.

I'm not ready to disclose the property until the matter is resolved.

Thanks!

Is it really only $100 these days? Somehow I thought it was more (but I'm exhausted and too tired to research it myself right now)

It is $100 for limited service properties (RI/CY/FI/TPS). The cash amount is $250 for Marriott/JW Marriott/Renaissance. Also, the two room certificates at CY only apply for platinum members.

I know a lot of subjectivity comes into play, but how often does walking happen? Never had it done in the 10 years I've been doing business travel.

Tends to happen when you check in very late say after 11 pm.

And the hotel has consciously decided to sell your room AND charge you a no show night !!!

Given the taxi ride is about 40 minutes and I'll be flying in around 10:00 p.m.....wait, I'm flying Air Canada.....make that midnight....it'll be interesting to see what happens next week.

Just call ahead and tell them you are definitely coming.

I didn't get into the PDX Courtyard till 1am thanks to I-5 being closed to one lane (so at 10:00pm on a Friday the backup was 20 miles), but I called when I hit it and told them I was coming. Like Motel 6, they left the light on for me. ^

Only been walked once, for one night, at the San Diego Marriott and Marina during the San Diego Comic Con. They put me up at the Marriott Gaslamp.

It is _very_ rare for any property to walk a Platinum. The rather stiff penalties due the walked Elite guest will usually make a property pick a lower ranked guest to walk, should it be necessary.

Thanks for the advice. I actually wouldn't mind a walk on this one. I'm staying at a CY, with a regular Marriott about three blocks away (other Marriott costs a lot more, can't find anything on LNF) . I'm staying for three nights, which right now doesn't show availability. But if I try for just the first night, there is availability, so it doesn't look like the walk would be necessary.

Out of curiosity to see how they handle it, I'm not going to call in advance. Again, I've never been walked in 10 years of business travel, and most of them were at dirt level.

I've never been walked as a Marriott Platinum, or as a Hilton Diamond. The cash offer would be sweet though :D

JP