Why don't you participate and report back to us what they said. Did anyone else get the invite? I didn't.

Cheers.

i don't blame him

its just a propoganda rally

I can't believe they will listen to one thing that doesn't benefit them (MR) or fit in their definition of "bend forward... err I mean enhancement"

I got the invite but am not interested in wasting my time.

Why don't you send him the link to this thread and he can see what we all think about the "enhancements."

It had to be about twenty years ago that American Airlines announced a change to the Aadvantage program wherein the net effect was award mileage devaluation.

There was a huge hew and cry and it couldn't have been much more than a month that Amercian acknowledged its error in judgment, apologized for it and rescinded the changes.

(Subsequenently they did make changes to the program -- some not too popular, but they did it without insulting the intelligence of their customers.)

No matter what else, I would hope that Marriott, at the very least, aplogize for it's attempt to con customers about the nature of the changes made, and provide reasons why they felt they had to strip MR of the unique features that made it so attractive a loyalty program for frequent guests..

I find it insulting that Marriott put out such an email. What did they think, no one would read the fine print? Oh that is right, one would need to read the fine print to find out that the program is going to devalue. Nothing inherient in the solicitation would even point out that their was a single negative.

:mad:

Points devaluation is a fact of life. As we pay increasing room rates, we earn more points each year. At some point Marriott has to adjust the redemption rates. I would prefer to see a more modest increase in points, even more often if necessary.

My objection with the new program is the huge increase (40-60%) to stay 7 nights in a category 7 or 8 hotel. I liked the old point structure better, the longer you stayed (up to 7 nights) the less it cost you per night. Now you pay the same nightly rate, unless you have a 5th night free. But 5 nights in a category 7 or 8 is still more than 5 nights was under the old program.

I think the majority of MR members do not benefit from the new features; no blackout dates and platinum bonus points. So for Gold members like me, there is nothing to get excited about here.

I have not learned of any plans to increase the number of points timeshare owners will earn when they trade their weeks for points.

I do not have any specifics on what kind of policing might be done. Currently there are quality controls that enforce availability for reward redemption. Sometimes they work and sometimes we find out from you guys when a hotel is not fulfilling its obligations to our members. I have seen the training that was sent to the hotels and what they are expected to is very clear. I would not rule the potential for learning curves though. Because hotels will be reimbursed at a much higher rate there is very little incentive for them to cheat the system.

Currently hotels are occasionally allowed to block the platinum override. There are no plans to change this. Since nothing is changing here I imagine you will have the same type of experiences, (good or bad) you have had in the past with this benefit.

Ira

Thanks for your response we will let you know what we find January 15th. :D

Oh, I have no doubt that the MC's are aware of what they will hear come January 15th if even one problem or error arises.

Disgusted 6 week MCVI owner
 

I bought all my weeks through Marriott and feel completely violated. Please remove the Marriott "family" photos from the sales offices and the implicit promise of good american christian values of TRUST which inspired me to buy.

Everyone seems very unhappy. Why didn't Marriott gives us more time to use the points we have been saving? Or start a two tier program to allow us to use "old" points on the original awards and new points in the "improved" program.
At least the airlines did this.......

LOL :D

The fact that Marriott makes money off PORN should have given you a clue about their values.

And just for the record... I am for PORN ^

Why would they care? Marriott already has your money.

Just booked my two weeks summer 2009 vacation and used 95% of my points.

Marriott is pi$$ing off its core members!
 

Marriott-the above represents the sort of customer your whole""values"marketing is aimed at.This is not some jaded new world hedonist(like myself :D)but an upstanding good citizen.

Are you sure you want to pi$$ these folks off?