Platinum Guarantee Withheld
#31
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Central New Jersey (EWR, ABE, PHL)
Programs: Marriott LT Plat,SW, Hertz #1 Gold, Amtrak SP, jetBlue, et al
Posts: 953
It is an ARRIVAL gift, not a day after you arrive gift....i'd say give them an hour.....if they foul up...PAY up!
I started a thread about this to the MC and the reply was that there was no specified time...we suggested that by NOT enforcing a time basically negates the guarantee....meaning the hotel can say, when questioned..."well ms megtravels, what would you like..." as i am CHECKING OUT....
I started a thread about this to the MC and the reply was that there was no specified time...we suggested that by NOT enforcing a time basically negates the guarantee....meaning the hotel can say, when questioned..."well ms megtravels, what would you like..." as i am CHECKING OUT....
#32


Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,485
#33
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
An arrival gift means they make the "offer" upon arrival, not an hour or two later. If I order something that must be brought to my room, then I have no issues with it taking 30 minutes to an hours (unless I ask for it to be delivered at a later time.)
#34
Original Poster


Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
New Update... Marriott Customer Care (CC) has been very helpful. My highest praise to them. If you have any concerns in the future, they are the people to go to.
CC facilitated a telephone conversation with the Asst GM at the hotel. One thing that he stated was rather strange. He said that the Guaranteed Platinum Arrival Gift is not part of the $100 Guarantee. I checked my documentation while on the phone with him and stated that it is. I then called Marriott CC who confirmed that it is indeed part of the guarantee.
So far, top grades to Marriott CC... Will speak with the hotel Asst GM on Monday.
Stay tuned...
CC facilitated a telephone conversation with the Asst GM at the hotel. One thing that he stated was rather strange. He said that the Guaranteed Platinum Arrival Gift is not part of the $100 Guarantee. I checked my documentation while on the phone with him and stated that it is. I then called Marriott CC who confirmed that it is indeed part of the guarantee.
So far, top grades to Marriott CC... Will speak with the hotel Asst GM on Monday.
Stay tuned...
Marriott University of Maryland University College.
Some updated information.
The desk person who checked me in originally was at the desk last night. When asked about the situation, she said that she did ask me, and that I said points. When I noted that she did not fill out the usual form, she claimed that it was too busy at that time, and she filled it out later, not when I was there.
Yes.... very sad that an employee would act in such a way.
It will be interesting to see what Marriott CS does about this. I filed a complaint with them yesterday. Will keep everyone posted.
Some updated information.
The desk person who checked me in originally was at the desk last night. When asked about the situation, she said that she did ask me, and that I said points. When I noted that she did not fill out the usual form, she claimed that it was too busy at that time, and she filled it out later, not when I was there.
Yes.... very sad that an employee would act in such a way.
It will be interesting to see what Marriott CS does about this. I filed a complaint with them yesterday. Will keep everyone posted.
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,140
BTW - the very rare occasion I've gotten the $100 I've had no problems w/ the front desk honoring it.
Having said that, I'd be royally pissed-off if I encountered the lies that some have stated about being told I had requested the points at check-in if I hadn't.
Cheers.
#36
Original Poster


Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
The issue has been resolved. Marriott CC deserves all the credit. Do use their assistance if anyone else has a problem like this in the future.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,614
I add to the sentiment that the person on the desk is a human being. When you claim the $100, it might cost them their job. It might mean very little to those with high salaries and expense accounts, but it might mean alot to someone who is struggling to feed their family each week.
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,140
I add to the sentiment that the person on the desk is a human being. When you claim the $100, it might cost them their job. It might mean very little to those with high salaries and expense accounts, but it might mean alot to someone who is struggling to feed their family each week.
And the policy is Marriott's - presumably if they have to pay out, it's a reminder to the employees that there is a policy to follow. I'm rarely in a situation that requires a payout, but truthfully I'm not thinking about the employee's family when I am. And while some earn high salaries & are on expense accounts, not all of us do/are, so I'd say with regards to that speak for yourself.
I was in a situation where the $100 was paid this week - arrival card or what would you like wasn't offered at check-in nor a phone call later asking, so after 4 days I went down & requested the $100. The employee offered to still give me the points or arrival gift after he paid me, but I declined. I didn't think 'double-dipping' was fair - ie, take the $$ & the gift. And the $100 (well part of it) went back to the property, as I was actually honest on the honor bar form in the lounge

There have been times when I've been entitled to the payout & didn't ask for it because I like the properties/they've always been very kind to me, so it wasn't a big deal for me.
And we're all different - if I had turned away from the desk, realized it hadn't been offered, & returned immediately I would have reminded them of the gift/given them a chance, not been demanding the $100. I'm pretty easy-going on the entire process.
I also like what some FTers have done w/ the $100 (or $25 or $50) & that's donate it to charity.
Cheers.
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Apr 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm
#39


Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,485
I would hope that after your detailed posting and the hulabaloo in this thread that followed, you might be kind enough to share with us the resolution.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
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#41
Original Poster


Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
The "check" is in the mail for the correct amount. In other words, we arrived at where we should have arrived before this whole snafu began.
#42


Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,485
Thanks.
#43


Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,485
I add to the sentiment that the person on the desk is a human being. When you claim the $100, it might cost them their job. It might mean very little to those with high salaries and expense accounts, but it might mean alot to someone who is struggling to feed their family each week.
#44
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I think we need to avoid being seen as the "Ugly Platinum." In my experience, most of the desk folks at Marriott go out of their way to be polite and take care of elites. I've probably reminded desk folks a few times over the years about the points but would find it hard to seek the guarantee when an otherwise polite desk clerk forgot to ask me. There is a human on the other side -- and they're certainly going to get in some trouble based on the guarantee issue. I'll also note that the desk folks tell me its hardly worth asking since Plat's always (well almost always) take the points.
I'm not afraid to ask for the guarantee and have received the guarantee 3-4 times over the years because of room types.
I'm not afraid to ask for the guarantee and have received the guarantee 3-4 times over the years because of room types.




