I AM a stockholder and i still think it's crap!

Sure sometimes it's a sense of entitlement....but i PAID FOR every one of my nights not my company...ME! Thus...yes, I DO expect to be better treated, and to "get something" better than the person next to me who is a marriott nobody who got the same room for 45 bucks on Priceline.....otherwise, marriott isn't doing anything for ME---that it isnt doing for them!

a room is a room is a room...(unless it's a suite ,but 99% of the time they a) only have 1 bed andor b) aren't given to me,) so yes, throw me a bone...if *wood and Hyatt and Hilton can figure out how...why can't marriott!

Oh wait..that is called over achieving...:eek::mad:

One Marriott Drive
Washington DC, 20058

attn: JW Marriott, Jr (:rolleyes:)

i agree......

no and to quote the "spirit to serve" book which i basically have memorized...according to JW, Sr...Oatmeal is NOT negotialable...

(it's on the Karl Kilburg page....go ahead everyone in a FS..open the drawer, take it out, read it.....)

Oatmeal is cheaper than dirt,especially from Sysco or US Food...and it's good for you!!:)

Honestly, I care less about the availability of a hot meal in the CL and more about it simply being available.

A clean, well-looked-after lounge with the basic continental spread is perfectly fine by me. In the evening, same thing: if they can reduce costs by doing away with the cooking/heating equipment, that's fine. I might nibble on chicken wings if they're there, but I'd rather give that up than cut back on the entire lounge.

I too have been gravitating to more Hiltons in the past 2-3 months. I still find the occasional weekend lounge and when I don't, I don't have to argue or grovel for a continental breakfast certificate for the restaurant. I'm a Plat who did most of my 2008 nights at Renaissance Chancery Court. But now with my leisure (weekend) stays going to HH, I realize I have a better shot at Diamond than a Plat requal - so my business stays will soon follow.

There are still some really good Marriott managers out there that understand this and are willing to provide something to Golds/Plats when their lounge is closed. But it's a very sad state of affairs if corporate is pressuring them to not treat people well in order to save costs.

I repeat....

perhaps we should get a billboard someplace off I270 on the way to Bethesda and point that out in BIG GIANT LETTERS so the suits can read it???:D

To me, they are equaly important. A concierge lounge where breakfast consists of fixings a step down from Fairfield, and desert consists of a few cookies which are quickly taken and not refilled, is mostly worthless to me.

There is something I don't really understand. Why is Marriott Corporate forcing a race to the bottom of service. If a property can offer a better standard then why not allow it? I can understand requiring a minimum standard among properties that customers can expect, but requiring a MAXIMUM standard seems absurd to me. Can someone explain the logic to me?

Hmmm...there isn't any logic.

So...it boils down to money.

cut cut cut until you get massive complaints and/or mass exodus and THEN figure out why!?!?

some people are fine with a frozen sara lee danish, some think it's nice to have SOMETHING hot....i agre with ohmark- what's special about a CL in a FS when all they give you is breakfast from a FFI????? [and, BTW-FFIs HAVE a breakky sandwich!! - so you have to nuke it, at least it is THERE!!]

if i want a the aforementioned stuff, i will save the money and stay at a FFI...basically you get the same thing..a ROOM and some FOOD. (i have been in a couple FFis where they order pizzas and wings a couple nights a week and have beer and wine ... for free-oh wait, bet that stops..it's over achieving!)

in a FS hotel with cutbacks, where you SHOULD get SOMETHING for status, you get....Hmmm...a ROOM and SOME food, SOMETIMES! oh yeah, and internet for 10-15 bucks. In FFs, RIs, TPs [some, as they renew] and SHSs you get FED every day and internet is free.....Sooooo....

Maybe we should boycott FS AND CY!!!:confused::rolleyes::D

I'm lifetime platinum and platinum premier and except for two nights in Spokane - I've paid for all my nights. Two points:

(1) I think most folks are forgetting the main focus of the "rewards" program. I assume your experience is the same as mine. I recently received an update from Marriott in the mail. The number of revenue points I received was dwarfed by points received from platinum bonuses and other promotions. This is the central focus of the program. I recognize that some complain about redeption rate increases - this must be a function, though, of point inflation. Golds and platinums - those complaining about concierge lounge issues - are, I'm sure, still making enough free points to score decent stays.

(2) As far as the lounges go - I consider this far less significant than the points. As I've noted before, offerings at the lounges have - as a matter of fact - changed over time. They may do so again. In the meantime, it is a matter of money. You say that I haven't faced up to the main issue: why other chains offer elites better vitals than Marriott in their lounges.

Look, none of us have access to the corporate books of any of these companies. I only note, again, that Marriott in addressing the current economic 'meltdown' has cut at the bone (employee hours) as well as the fat (bacon and sausagel).

Perhaps you don't care to know what Starwood and Hilton have done as long as you get free breakfast on weekends. Maybe they've cut workers hours more than Marriott. Don't suspect that you'd really want to know that. Any more than Marie Antoinette cared to know the condition of the peasantry.

Y'all just naturally assume that, with many more "obvious" places to cut (only the 'bureaucracy' has been named - and I'll bet there have been cuts there, as well) all those "extras" we have become attached to should be continued.
Without access to the books, I don't see how you can argue this.

Loyalty goes both ways. In the main, Marriott has been loyal to its members. Now that the program has been "tweaked" in ways some perceive as to their detriment, its a rush by some to get status matches. Fine. Among all the problems in the world,grumbling about getting a smaller bottle of free water and losing out on free mouthwash just seems so insignificant.

as much as your comments are easy to rip.. this is your best yet

who gives a crap about all the problems in the world on a travel board.. i'm not here to discuss the worlds issues.. i'm here to discuss Marriott and them pushing me away

if i wanted to chat about the world.. i'll go to omni

the water.. its about the lounge primarily.. its about MR deceiving people by selling upgrades to the CL level while its closed.. its about stripping the lounges down to the bare bones when it is open

now go back to being a Marriott yes man :rolleyes:

Agree Agree

I have been a Gold and Platinum member since 1992 and this is really getting me down. I am one of those idiots that am loyal to the bone, and have been getting cabs to friends hotels lately who do get breakfast on weekends!

But Mr Marriott.... not any more!

Why should I pay the same rate (almost!), but not get any recognition for my Gold Card... most of my stays are at weekends, and this was the benefit I treasured most!

JUST FOR INFO EVERYONE..... MOST HILTON LOUNGES ARE OPEN AT WEEKENDS!

(No I dont work at Hilton!)

Here at the c-lounge on Monday morning, at the downtown Indy Marriott. Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, sausage links, pastries, bagels and breads, variety of juices, fresh fruit, waffle maker and mix, etc.

Last night (Sunday), the lounge presentation included miniature pizzas, cheese and cracker platter, vegetable and dip platter, fresh fruit platter, and mixed nuts. Fully stocked cooler included full size water bottles and soft drinks, and the usual honor bar. Desert consisted of fruit cheesecake and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies.

Also comped internet for rooms on the concierge level.

I don't apologize for bringing "cause" (as in "cause and effect" ) into play in this discussion. Even Marriott's strongest critics aren't arguing (at least I don't think) that Marriott is implementing changes simply to make their 'best customers' upset.

A couple more thoughts: If free weekend breakfast is what matters to you most, then, by all means, take your business elsewhere. (I had great bisquits and gravy at a Gulfport Ms Fairfield recently.) Still, many non elites stay at full service Marriotts on weekends so there must be something else going into the booking psychology - these properties must have other things (i.e. location, better pool areas, etc) going for them besides "breakfast." These non-elites could be booking at Fairfields, after all.

There are very good weekend bargains going on all over the full service Marriott universe. Once again, cause and effect. Now, I'm fairly certain that if Marriott did not distinguish between weekday and weekend rates - assuming that they could get a high enough occupancy rate - you'd still have your lounge open on weekends. Fair trade? I didn't think so. What is so wrong about simply applying the significant savings you get on weekends to breakfasts and - if you want - appetizers at the bar?

I believe that, without giving any attention to why these purported "downgrades" are happening and without giving any attention to the possible consequences of restoring all "benefits" until the business climate improves, complaints about losing this and that in terms of lounge benefits seem unjustified. In the past, lounge offerings have not been "static." When and if business conditions allow, prior benefits may well return.

Rln writes
"I don't apologize for bringing "cause" (as in "cause and effect" ) into play in this discussion. Even Marriott's strongest critics aren't arguing (at least I don't think) that Marriott is implementing changes simply to make their 'best customers' upset."
>>No-but you keep bringing this up as if there are these types of charges being made. :rolleyes:
Actually someone on this baord did suggest this was an evil plot to take over the hospitality world-but that was a very loyal Marriott supporter,and his suggestions were pretty much shot down.
"A couple more thoughts: If free weekend breakfast is what matters to you most, then, by all means, take your business elsewhere. (I had great bisquits and gravy at a Gulfport Ms Fairfield recently.) Still, many non elites stay at full service Marriotts on weekends so there must be something else going into the booking psychology - these properties must have other things (i.e. location, better pool areas, etc) going for them besides "breakfast." These non-elites could be booking at Fairfields, after all"

>>What is your evidence for this?I am guessing that the majority of weekend business at full service properties is there for reunioins,weddings,special events etc...yes-there may be Marriott elites there for these occassions but they are in the minority.My evidence is Marriotts offering of B1G1 for elites-available only at full service and only on weekends and only to elites.

"There are very good weekend bargains going on all over the full service Marriott universe. Once again, cause and effect. Now, I'm fairly certain that if Marriott did not distinguish between weekday and weekend rates - assuming that they could get a high enough occupancy rate - you'd still have your lounge open on weekends. Fair trade? I didn't think so. What is so wrong about simply applying the significant savings you get on weekends to breakfasts and - if you want - appetizers at the bar?"
>>Somehow other chains are not following suit-and surrviving.

"I believe that, without giving any attention to why these purported "downgrades" are happening and without giving any attention to the possible consequences of restoring all "benefits" until the business climate improves, complaints about losing this and that in terms of lounge benefits seem unjustified. In the past, lounge offerings have not been "static." When and if business conditions allow, prior benefits may well return"
>>I believe you are,once again,mistaken in your beliefs.

I also believe someone is having some fun with us with this circular logic game.
RLN is now on my ignore list :rolleyes: