Dec 10, 2018, 1:31 pm
Last edit by: SkiAdcock
Per StarwoodLurker, Insiders has not been shut down, but is experiencing technical difficulties.
Has 'Marriott Insiders' Been Shut Down ? - Answered: No, just tech issues
Dec 9, 2018, 2:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
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Posts: 5,234
Has 'Marriott Insiders' Been Shut Down ? - Answered: No, just tech issues
Obviously, FT has a better crowd but ... has Marriott Insiders been shut down?
I've tried a couple of times this week on different computers and it doesn't connect.
I've tried a couple of times this week on different computers and it doesn't connect.
Dec 9, 2018, 2:59 pm
#2
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
I’m a regular on Insiders as well as here and it’s been offline since Friday. I’ve no idea why, it’s certainly the longest outage I’ve known there in a decade...
Dec 9, 2018, 5:04 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Posts: 71,113
Heck, I've not been able to log in for months & actually had to have BrightlyBob post a post for me about a month ago re: the exec lounge sticky, so I wouldn't know if it was shut down/short term outage 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 7
Hi BrightlyBob. This is ArizonaTAG. It would appear that the website is down and the server has been disconnected from the DNS. I've asked Marriott if they know in an online Support Request to the regular Marriott website, but haven't heard back yet. Definitely the longest outage I've experienced from Insiders. Cheers!
Dec 9, 2018, 8:50 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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Posts: 21,170
It would be ironic if Marriott couldn't handle the criticism and cut and run from their own site, after previously cutting and running from FT 
Dec 9, 2018, 11:51 pm
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
Hi ArizonaTAG, good to see you here.
I can’t really see Marriott closing down MRI without any notice. I remember IHG used to have an insiders type site. I started lurking but within a couple of months IHG announced was closing and gave the membership notice so they could DM those they wanted to keep in touch with and download any particularly interesting posts. Then it went.
Is there an incentive to close down MRI? Well it has been taking a lot of heat recently but I think that’s part of Marriotts intention, if heat is being packed over at Insiders then it’s not being disseminated around the broader internet. Containment it seemed to me was always one of Marriotts drivers for MRI. On the other hand MRI has had to ban some members, some of which were very big dogs, Plat Premiers when PP meant top-of-the-tree-secret-handshake stuff. Ticking off those members could prove expensive to Marriott. Overall though I think there is more to gain than lose for Marriott with MRI, it has a strong core membership, lots of positivity for the brand, plenty of knowledge and all in an environment Marriott ultimately controlled.
Lets see, today is a working day, the first full working day since it went down. Something should happen even if it’s a holding page.
Oh, and SkiAdcock, you’re not the only one with logging on problems. I have helped a couple of others get back their MRI accounts, DM me if you want me to see what I can do when MRI reappears...
I can’t really see Marriott closing down MRI without any notice. I remember IHG used to have an insiders type site. I started lurking but within a couple of months IHG announced was closing and gave the membership notice so they could DM those they wanted to keep in touch with and download any particularly interesting posts. Then it went.
Is there an incentive to close down MRI? Well it has been taking a lot of heat recently but I think that’s part of Marriotts intention, if heat is being packed over at Insiders then it’s not being disseminated around the broader internet. Containment it seemed to me was always one of Marriotts drivers for MRI. On the other hand MRI has had to ban some members, some of which were very big dogs, Plat Premiers when PP meant top-of-the-tree-secret-handshake stuff. Ticking off those members could prove expensive to Marriott. Overall though I think there is more to gain than lose for Marriott with MRI, it has a strong core membership, lots of positivity for the brand, plenty of knowledge and all in an environment Marriott ultimately controlled.
Lets see, today is a working day, the first full working day since it went down. Something should happen even if it’s a holding page.
Oh, and SkiAdcock, you’re not the only one with logging on problems. I have helped a couple of others get back their MRI accounts, DM me if you want me to see what I can do when MRI reappears...
Dec 10, 2018, 9:23 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 7
Yeah, you're probably right BrightlyBob. Likely just an on-going saga of Marriott IT performance running things into the ground for Arne. It's Monday, 11am Eastern Time and the site is still down, so it isn't looking good for MRI. It could very well be that the Marriott Execs decided to pull the plug after all the blasting going on against Marriott on top of the IT department trying to get their arms around the Hack into Starwood. We will just have to wait and see, but might just be too much work for them to handle right now especially with the next round of merger issues to come their way on 31 Dec. I feel bad for Nipper as he had a Desert Tipple meeting set up for the 18th and unless folks downloaded his DM about it, they won't have his information/address for the meeting. Have a great Christmas! It is back to work for me....one of my clients hit me with some last minute work just before the holidays. Argh!
Dec 10, 2018, 10:04 am
#11
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
So many Christmases when that happened to me. Too early to say it won’t yet, as well, but it’s looking like a smooth run into the festive season for me. Happy Christmas to you and yours ArizonaTag...
Dec 10, 2018, 10:33 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
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Posts: 5,234
I can’t really see Marriott closing down MRI without any notice. I remember IHG used to have an insiders type site. I started lurking but within a couple of months IHG announced was closing and gave the membership notice so they could DM those they wanted to keep in touch with and download any particularly interesting posts. Then it went.
Is there an incentive to close down MRI? Well it has been taking a lot of heat recently but I think that’s part of Marriotts intention, if heat is being packed over at Insiders then it’s not being disseminated around the broader internet. Containment it seemed to me was always one of Marriotts drivers for MRI. On the other hand MRI has had to ban some members, some of which were very big dogs, Plat Premiers when PP meant top-of-the-tree-secret-handshake stuff. Ticking off those members could prove expensive to Marriott.
Is there an incentive to close down MRI? Well it has been taking a lot of heat recently but I think that’s part of Marriotts intention, if heat is being packed over at Insiders then it’s not being disseminated around the broader internet. Containment it seemed to me was always one of Marriotts drivers for MRI. On the other hand MRI has had to ban some members, some of which were very big dogs, Plat Premiers when PP meant top-of-the-tree-secret-handshake stuff. Ticking off those members could prove expensive to Marriott.
That being said, I don't frequent Insiders much. Seems to me that not to many companies run forums so wouldn't be surprised to see it shut down. On the other hand, if I was running a consumer facing company trying to drive incremental business from my best customers, it might be a good channel -- just like FT -- if I cared enough about keeping my best customers happy to make sure properties delivered on the program ....
Dec 10, 2018, 10:46 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite; UA MM
Posts: 325
Marriott seems to have lost much of its sense of customer service on the web. If the Insiders problem is an IT glitch, how complicated can it be to simply add a note on the Marriott home page or post something on social media.
Or could it be that the execs are just too busy trying to find ways to boost their year-end bonuses to take care of little things like the disappearance of a long time forum for customers..
Or could it be that the execs are just too busy trying to find ways to boost their year-end bonuses to take care of little things like the disappearance of a long time forum for customers..
Dec 10, 2018, 10:52 am
#14
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Our apologies for any inconvenience, but - as many of have already noticed - the Marriott Insiders web site is experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment. We are working to bring the site back as soon as possible.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International
[email protected]
Dec 10, 2018, 11:10 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite; UA MM
Posts: 325
Thanks for at least a belated response on Flyer Talk.
Why not post something on the Marriott home page for all those who don't search Flyer Talk for an answer to Marriott's glitches? This has been going on for a couple days or so based on my experience? When is the site expected to be back up. "As soon as possible" could mean anything from within 60 seconds to within 60 months.
Why not post something on the Marriott home page for all those who don't search Flyer Talk for an answer to Marriott's glitches? This has been going on for a couple days or so based on my experience? When is the site expected to be back up. "As soon as possible" could mean anything from within 60 seconds to within 60 months.