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Originally Posted by PhlyingRPh
(Post 11224194)
Interesting thought, but why would MR have given everyone and their dog Platinum for 2009, even those who stayed only a few nights in 2008 (but who had been Platinum in the past?).
Guess I need to get a dog. |
Originally Posted by joshua362
(Post 11227536)
The problem with most corporations is that enough is never enough. A fair return for the risk and assets invested quickly goes out the window when more bucks can be extracted at peak times when everything is going right. Then they get used to the greed and have to exceed the previous quarter's earnings to keep the stock market happy. So now they are holding on against hope and reluctant to return to a more normal pricing structure.
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At the end of the day, one just has to ask... Does staying at Marriott provide you with the best value? With the all the cutbacks, program "enhancements" and no real upgrades to be had... I'd say NO.
Personally...I have 5 nights with Marriott YTD this time last year I was at 17. FYI: Starwood has 12 nights vs. 2 last year I still may not get free breakfast or lounge access for all my stays with Starwood but I've gotten a suite each time ^ |
Originally Posted by flyerwife
(Post 11228458)
Guess I need to get a dog.
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Originally Posted by PhlyingRPh
(Post 11229937)
I don't get it.
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RPh & TH, I believe that Flyerwife is referring to the proverb, "If U want a loyal friend in Wash. DC, get a dog!" Meaning that nobody can be trusted not to stab U in the back.
Oh well, unlucky guess! :o per #22 below! |
No, PhlyingRph...I was actually referring to YOUR statement that Marriott had given Plat to everyone and their dog...
and as a 15 year Platinum member, I am being dropped to Gold....contrary to your belief that they gave 2009 Platinum status to everyone and their dog. Maybe it's just me..... :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by flyerwife
(Post 11230051)
No, PhlyingRph...I was actually referring to YOUR statement that Marriott had given Plat to everyone and their dog...
and as a 15 year Platinum member, I am being dropped to Gold....contrary to your belief that they gave 2009 Platinum status to everyone and their dog. Maybe it's just me..... :rolleyes: Yeah, now I get it. I was thinking about it, and the guys I know who were comped w/ Plat this year did stay at a lot of Renaisance, full service Marriotts and JW's in pretty high profile cities like London, Dubai and New York, so presumable high daily rates might have been a factor in MR's decision to give them another year of Platinum. It would be nice to know what unpublished criteria, if any, exist in such cases. |
I'm sorry that some people didn't understand the premise I laid out in the original post. Maybe I wasn't very clear, so I'll try again. And I'll also point out that I don't think this kind of reasoning is going on at Marriott HQ, but I was merely postulating that it would be quite a bold strategy if it was... Anyway, here's the premise boiled down:
1) Marriott has become saddled with lots and lots of low-margin customers who demand all kinds of discounts while at the same time demand all kinds of premium treatment. 2) The economy has turned sour and both business and leisure travel are going to be down for awhile. 3) Rather than compete with the other chains to try and keep the fickle loyalty of their nickel-and-diming clientele, Marriott sees this as a time for some house-cleaning. 4) They blatantly cut back services, or at the very least go back to strict adherence to the published benefits of the rewards program. At the same time, they hold room rates high, far higher than properties of similar quality from other brands in the same area. 5) The penny-pinchers take their business elsewhere, probably (hopefully?) for good. 6) Marriott deals with low occupancy, thinking they're on solid enough financial ground to ride out the rough times anyway. 7) In the meantime, they solidify a client base who no longer fusses over every little charge or complains about benefits they're not really entitled to anyway like free breakfast on the weekend. 8) As economic conditions improve, they can do things like roll out the Griffin Club. This further cements their reputation as the upscale chain of choice for sophisticated travelers. 9) Marriott comes out of the recession sitting pretty, offering a higher-margin product than any of their competitors. They laugh at Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood who now have to deal with all the guests who jump ship to save a few bucks. |
How can any organization with half a brain "enhance" their loyalty program with a significant point devaluation just as the economy is tanking like nothing we have seen in our lifetime?
Enough said. |
Jesus man, you've got to be kidding me. :p
I'm in the 2nd night of a two night stay at an empty Courtyard in Redmond because I have a client that is a "Marriott Guy" I did have 84 nights in Marriotts last year, but I'm off tomorrow to the W in downtown Seattle for less what I'm paying now for a motor inn in bum ***. Great business plan :D
Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
(Post 11231794)
I'm sorry that some people didn't understand the premise I laid out in the original post. Maybe I wasn't very clear, so I'll try again. And I'll also point out that I don't think this kind of reasoning is going on at Marriott HQ, but I was merely postula.ting that it would be quite a bold strategy if it was... Anyway, here's the premise boiled down:
1) Marriott has become saddled with lots and lots of low-margin customers who demand all kinds of discounts while at the same time demand all kinds of premium treatment. 2) The economy has turned sour and both business and leisure travel are going to be down for awhile. 3) Rather than compete with the other chains to try and keep the fickle loyalty of their nickel-and-diming clientele, Marriott sees this as a time for some house-cleaning. 4) They blatantly cut back services, or at the very least go back to strict adherence to the published benefits of the rewards program. At the same time, they hold room rates high, far higher than properties of similar quality from other brands in the same area. 5) The penny-pinchers take their business elsewhere, probably (hopefully?) for good. 6) Marriott deals with low occupancy, thinking they're on solid enough financial ground to ride out the rough times anyway. 7) In the meantime, they solidify a client base who no longer fusses over every little charge or complains about benefits they're not really entitled to anyway like free breakfast on the weekend. 8) As economic conditions improve, they can do things like roll out the Griffin Club. This further cements their reputation as the upscale chain of choice for sophisticated travelers. 9) Marriott comes out of the recession sitting pretty, offering a higher-margin product than any of their competitors. They laugh at Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood who now have to deal with all the guests who jump ship to save a few bucks. |
Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
(Post 11231794)
I'm sorry that some people didn't understand the premise I laid out in the original post. Maybe I wasn't very clear, so I'll try again. And I'll also point out that I don't think this kind of reasoning is going on at Marriott HQ, but I was merely postulating that it would be quite a bold strategy if it was... Anyway, here's the premise boiled down:
1) Marriott has become saddled with lots and lots of low-margin customers who demand all kinds of discounts while at the same time demand all kinds of premium treatment. 2) The economy has turned sour and both business and leisure travel are going to be down for awhile. 3) Rather than compete with the other chains to try and keep the fickle loyalty of their nickel-and-diming clientele, Marriott sees this as a time for some house-cleaning. 4) They blatantly cut back services, or at the very least go back to strict adherence to the published benefits of the rewards program. At the same time, they hold room rates high, far higher than properties of similar quality from other brands in the same area. 5) The penny-pinchers take their business elsewhere, probably (hopefully?) for good. 6) Marriott deals with low occupancy, thinking they're on solid enough financial ground to ride out the rough times anyway. 7) In the meantime, they solidify a client base who no longer fusses over every little charge or complains about benefits they're not really entitled to anyway like free breakfast on the weekend. 8) As economic conditions improve, they can do things like roll out the Griffin Club. This further cements their reputation as the upscale chain of choice for sophisticated travelers. 9) Marriott comes out of the recession sitting pretty, offering a higher-margin product than any of their competitors. They laugh at Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood who now have to deal with all the guests who jump ship to save a few bucks. 7. benefits not entitled too.. the ones complaining I presume are gold and plats who have earned the benefits 8. you will NEVER have an upscale chain as long as the Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, and Res Inn are part of the brand name.. never |
Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
(Post 11231794)
..... but I was merely postulating that it would be quite a bold strategy if it was... Anyway, here's the premise boiled down:
1) Marriott has become saddled with lots and lots of low-margin customers who demand all kinds of discounts while at the same time demand all kinds of premium treatment. 2) The economy has turned sour and both business and leisure travel are going to be down for awhile. 3) Rather than compete with the other chains to try and keep the fickle loyalty of their nickel-and-diming clientele, Marriott sees this as a time for some house-cleaning. 4) They blatantly cut back services, or at the very least go back to strict adherence to the published benefits of the rewards program. At the same time, they hold room rates high, far higher than properties of similar quality from other brands in the same area. 5) The penny-pinchers take their business elsewhere, probably (hopefully?) for good. 6) Marriott deals with low occupancy, thinking they're on solid enough financial ground to ride out the rough times anyway. 7) In the meantime, they solidify a client base who no longer fusses over every little charge or complains about benefits they're not really entitled to anyway like free breakfast on the weekend. 8) As economic conditions improve, they can do things like roll out the Griffin Club. This further cements their reputation as the upscale chain of choice for sophisticated travelers. 9) Marriott comes out of the recession sitting pretty, offering a higher-margin product than any of their competitors. They laugh at Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood who now have to deal with all the guests who jump ship to save a few bucks. 1) Lots and lots of low margin customers requesting premium services??? What are you basing that off of or even talking about??? Your own personal experience. That is a joke. People/companies choose on price all the time. It doesn't matter the reason for their decision. How many Silvers paying GOV rates do you think are causing a stink to get in the CL? I would venture nil. 2) Uh, duh 3) Nickel and diming clientele?? They are called customers. Any revenue above your variable cost should be sought after under all circumstances. 4) You didn't really say anything here. 5) So what if the penny pinchers move their business? Don't you get that if the hotels aren't full, less services will be provided in the future as less revenue can cover amenities. 6) No, no, no. They aren't looking for low occupancy. Their business decisions may lead them to low occupancy, but as my response to #3 said, any revenue above variable cost should be sought after. 7) Do you really think this is what Marriott thinks? Really? That they are trying to weed "fussy" customers out. PUH-LEEZE. A customer that complains to the front desk or over the internet < 1% of customers. 8) Upscale chain of choice? That is laughable. People choose Marriott most times because of the number of hotels, familiarity with the brand, and one is usually where they travel. Very rarely is the Marriott the best hotel in a city (Ritzs don't count). 9) Baseless comment. |
Originally Posted by flyerwife
(Post 11230051)
...and as a 15 year Platinum member, I am being dropped to Gold....contrary to your belief that they gave 2009 Platinum status to everyone and their dog.
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Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
(Post 11234283)
Knowing you, your passionate loyalty to this brand, and your advocacy for it, I'm stunned. You are exactly the customer Marriott should not downgrade in these tough times, as you finally may wander and sample other brands.
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