Has anyone had any luck reaching Caryn (the Omni FT rep)? I have yet to receive a response to my email. I would think that she would have seen my earlier post as well...very curious.

No response here.

I haven't tried -- I just contact the Loyalty Ambassador I always work with for just about any Omni/SG need I have.

Yeah, this sort of shady behavior is par for the course at Omni, in my experience. When you're *at* the property, everybody bends over backwards for you and the staff is wonderfully helpful.

But, when you talk to the corporate folks, they seem to forget where they work. Nobody seems to actually know anything about how things work. Everyone is super nice and professional and can help navigate some of the different offers regarding rooms (aka - they're good sales people). But details of program specifics - especially when you do things that are out of the norm - are sometimes... lacking. Ditto with the PR surrounding the SG program.

The only 3 things I learned about the program is: Airlines miles are per stay, not per night, discounted rates not gotten through they're own website do not count and everything takes days (weeks, sometimes) to show up on the account.

I just stayed at the Omni in downtown Austin and have to say, was VERY impressive with the quality of service and attention to detal. Stayed on the club level was very much impressed with the food for Breakfast and the afternoon drinks and snacks. Much better then what I get at Sheraton. I need to start looking for a better chain of hotels when I travel.

In San Antonio at La Mansion it's a box of worry dolls and a plate of sugared pecans. The worry dolls are cute the first time; after 1 stay they are garbage to me. The pecans are awesome; I just do not prefer that much sugar on my teeth in one year, let alone one week.

After breaking up with Hilton Thelma and Louise style, I started staying at the Omni because La Mansion offers my company a rate equal to the government rate, which is the rate I cannot exceed. The staff are impeccable and they treat me like a superstarrrrrrrr. I get 1 night credit per night stayed (so no funky math for my reduced rate). Oddly, I stayed 2 nights at the Omni Austin Downtown-- 1 was a free night through the SG program, and the other I paid for, at $300+. I got 12 credits towards a free night (and towards my black status) from that one night. Odd....but I'll take it. That property in Austin is amazing by the way-- they really keep the riff raff out. No late night parties and dead hookers in your bathroom.

Frankly I think the SG benefits are nice. When I travel for business I don't want free drinks or lounges full of .........s or a $25 breakfast buffet of runny eggs. I just want plentiful bottled water (check!), friendly staff (check check!), and a simple breakfast in my room (at $4? check! check! check!). The unlimited ironing isn't bad, either.

Unfortunately, the management, at least at La Mansion, leaves a LOT to be desired. I have booked meetings there as well as stayed in the guest rooms; they are late with contracts (signing them 4 days before a meeting = not good), they nickel and dime you for EVERYTHING (to the tune of $4500 for internet for 30 people in a meeting. Holy cow!) Also, they have taken to contacting my company, rather than me, when there is an issue with my bill. I had an erroneous charge on my bill and requested it be removed, which the FD staff did without hesitation, and with a genuine apology for the mix up. But later, the manager saw that was removed, called my company and claimed that I was "expecting amenities from our corporate rate which weren't included in our negotiated package." ...? I guess rather than contacting me and risk the loss of my business (which is what he said when he talked to my company) he thought he could squeeze some bucks out of my company. He finally admitted it was a miscommunication and apologized to my company, but I have yet to hear a peep, and that is bothersome to me. So, I'm left wondering if I have to break up with yet another chain, or if I should give Omni one more chance.

Anyone have any idea how long it should take for the 500 miles for my stay to post at AA? It's been a month.

I had a January stay that took at least that long to generate airline miles. Omni is really slow; I'd give it at least 2 more weeks.

Well, at least we won't have to worry any more about how long it takes for airlines miles to post.

Received today (my emphasis):

These folks rank up there with Amtrak and other Hall Of Shame programs
Simply beyond stupid limiting choices in a hotel chain and program that already has such limited choices and opportunities for its guests
Pathetic
Thats as polite as I know how to say it

Does anyone have a discount or promo code for OMNI Mont Royal in Montreal?

I thoroughly enjoyed last night at the Omni Dallas convention area. My first stay at that property. As SG, I was greeted extremely courteously and professionally...and upgraded (without asking) to the Presidential suite. Wow! Too bad I was alone and it was just one night with a 6am departure. I did venture down to the lounge for dinner and received an equally impressive reception there from the bartender. When my order came out all at once, rather than soup first, she said my glass of wine was on here (I wasn't complaining about the soup, but she noticed it and made it right). The hotel is drop dead gorgeous and smells intoxicating - a hint of something wonderful wafts through the air. I stayed downstairs much too long chatting it up with other guests having a good time. My room was in perfect working order and spotless. Oh, how I wish I had more time there. Good news is that I have a 3 night stay booked for next month. I suspect even the regular guest rooms would be as enjoyable. Every staff member greeted me and asked me how my stay was going. Bravo!

*on her....

I have had a string of disappointments with the Omni's Select Guest loyalty program.

I am a Black Level member (highest status level) and am entitled to room upgrades (to a suite), but of course it has not been "available" since I attained status.

Even worse, every time I try to redeem a free night I am told that there is no room available on the night I request, even though the hotel website still shows rooms available for regular booking. I called to complain, but despite being a top-tier member, they would not do anything for me.

On paper the Omni loyalty program sounds like it has great perks, but in reality it does not meet expectations.

Thanks Ill keep on avoiding them. They were better before the new program that's the crazy thing!
And they ended FF miles which is like walking the plank blind folded when FFlyers have about a zillion other choices
So Sad