You probably read that over in the Hilton forum.:p All Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum members should have CL access regardless of the room type.

On PL stays, you have to be dilligent to ensure that your MR# is on your reservation in order to get benefits. There is another recent thread in this forum on the issues encountered with elite benefits on PL stays.

I've never stayed at the Los Angeles Renaissance Hotel, but I just might need to now. :D

Drew

I will agree that the main benefit of Gold status is the lounge access itself. IME, the vast majority of "upgrades" are standard rooms on the concierge floor, which gives you a robe, a better bath mat, and a shorter walk to the lounge. The room itself is no big deal. Suite upgrades are rare, even as a PLT.

If you stay at non-full-service hotels (CY, RI, etc), or if you stay over weekends when the lounges are closed, then status, while not quite useless, doesn't get you a whole lot.

Don't feel bad about not getting upgrades. Even as a plat, I don't get upgraded every time (shame on you, London Kensington Marriott).

As long as I have access to the executive lounge when it's open (not all are on weekends) I'm a happy camper. Right now that's a guaranteed bennie w/ Marriott.

Hilton is moving to a you have to be upgraded or paid exec level or you can't access exec lounge regardless of status model in a number of their properties, which is decreasing my stays w/ Hilton.

Also I'm not sure what CY has in terms of upgrades?

Cheers.

At CY they have suites available to upgrade PLT and GLD members. The suite types vary by location but most have a king suite or a suite that has two double or queen sized beds. These rooms have a fridge and micro with a separate living room area. Some of the newer CY hotels also have spa suites.

But per MR T&C even if they have suites available, they are not obliged to upgrade you to one. Different hotels may choose to do so, but by policy suites are explcitiely excluded from upgrade T&Cs. So if one doesn't get upgraded, as was the case of the OP, one really doesn't have a leg to stand on with regard to invoking the elite benefits guarantee.

You are correct, if you did not get a suite upgrade at a CY you would not be eligible for the elite guarantee payment of $100. I was just explaining the upgrades that CY has to offer. I can only speak from my past experience with the brand that we did upgrade PLT and GLD to suites when ever possible. I always feel it is the least we can do for our best customers. I would rather upgrade than have the nicer room stay empty. :)

Thanks :)^.

A Marriott CSR added my MR# to my reservation, and I was surprised I got a new confirmation email from Marriott? I haven't even booked via Marriott but via Priceline.. Strange, no? The thing is, there is a CC (Priceline's) number attached to the booking, which I obviously can't show at checkin. But, as this room is prepaid, I wonder if they'll need to see a CC upon checkin.. (last time I had a PL at a Hilton they didn't)

This sounds perfectly normal to me - the same has happened when I've added my MR number to Priceline reservations. I've always had to present a credit card at checkin but only for incidentals. The desk clerk has always said something like 'your stay is pre-paid' but has never actually mentioned Priceline.

I'd guess that they would need a CC for incidentals.

My experience with CYs is similar. While aaupgrade is correct that suite upgrades are excluded as a normal benefit, I have stayed only a few nights in a CY in the last 2 years where I wasn't upgraded to a suite room. In most every case I did have to ask about a suite upgrade, but CYs have been very good about granting them.

How long have the 2 airline programs getting folk gold program been around? I'd surmise that it's a bit too soon to say that the lounges are being overrun or all the upgrades are being taken by them. OVMV.

Cheers.

I know they would need my CC for incidentals -- but the problem is, there is a different CC number than mine in the reservation (one of PL's CCs), when I check my reservation online. Do you guys think this would be a problem?

I just stayed at a Renassaince in Washington DC, and got upgraded to a junior suite, and had club lounge access.