lucycan

Just checked in for my first stay at a RC since the big announcement.

When I checked in, I asked if they could explain the benefits I get being a Platinum Marriott member.

He said it was very simple. There are NONE.

Now I swear I have read about 100 threads on here and the MR site that state I would get 1000 bonus points at checkin plus room upgrade based on availability. I guess I am wrong?

So even though this hotel is 15% booked they refused to even consider an upgrade.

I called the Platinum line and they said "The Ritz is right, there are NO benefits to me".

Why the heck did they make all these big announcements? I guess ALL I can do is earn points here?

This link SURE makes it look like many of these benefits are available at RC:

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits.mi

I mean they call out the ones that are NOT available, so wouldn't that lead you to believe that the rest are??

aaupgrade

At which Ritz-Carlton are you? If it is one of the ones that does participate (read on for more info on that) then please let us know so we can be prepared if we visit that hotel, or instead prefer to avoid it. Also Marriott Concierge or other Marriott lurkers may actually be proactive and have a word with the hotel and get them straightened out. One can always hope.

The other reason I ask "Which Ritz-Carlton?" is that technically the statement you quoted as having been made by the Platinum line "The Ritz is right, there are NO benefits to me" is correct. The key word there being "Ritz" not "Ritz-Carlton". While this it may seem like a minor difference, it is actually quite significant as there are only two Ritz hotels (actually partner hotels) in the Ritz-Carlton chain, the London Ritz and Madrid Ritz, neither of whom participate along with other "partner" hotels like Bulgari. Nor do Ritz-Carlton Reserves, Destination Clubs or Residences participate. Basically only Ritz-Carlton non-partner "Hotels" participate with the sole exception of Singapore Milennia Ritz-Carlton. It is quite confusing, but at least Marriott does list these exceptions in detail in their T&Cs.

A complete list of earn and burn exceptions from Marriott is provided below:

This info may be found in #11 of the General Membership section of MR T&C at this link: http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi

lucycan

I am at the Ritz Carlton Denver.

SkiAdcock

Did I miss something? From the link you provided, it says this:

"You can also earn and redeem points at The Ritz-Carlton. Wherever you choose to stay, you can enjoy:

* Instant Redemption, so you can use your points whenever you want during your stay at participating Marriott properties in the US (except Hawaii) and Canada
* Member-only offers at hotels and resorts worldwide
* Bonuses and base points earned at all Marriott hotel brands locations
* Bonuses and base points earned at The Ritz-Carlton locations"

I'm assuming the bonuses are the traditional bonus points allotted to silver, gold, elite, which is just below the part I quote above in your link.

So confused on where you got the 1,000 points + room upgrade upon availability at Ritz Carltons (RC)? If you've got (or others do) a specific link to that offer vs 'reading 100 threads about this & on the Marriott site', you'd probably have a better chance of getting some gratification from Marriott and it would help to educate the rest of us so that we know what to reference.

FWIW - I've just assumed that staying at a RC will earn you points, but it will cost you a lot more than regular Marriotts to actually redeem the points because - it's a Ritz Carlton, not a regular Marriott.

Let's face it - the average Ritz customer isn't looking for a free upgrade due to the recently incorporated RC into the Marriott program. But it goes w/o saying the average Marriott elite is

I might be wrong, but didn't it used to be that we didn't earn any points at RCs, just could redeem them at a larger redemption point, so that's probably the bennie. I didn't actually look at all the details of the Ritz program because I rarely stay at Ritzs.

And speaking only for myself, if I am at a RC on the occasional stay, usually the room, bedding, toiletries, are better than the average Marriott, so I'm a happy camper.

Cheers.

ohmark

1,000 points is the welcome amenity for Marriott and Ritz platinums staying at Ritz. "1.Guaranteed Platinum Arrival Gift: Complimentary refreshments delivered to your guestroom or the option of bonus points added to your account. Available at all participating Marriott hotel brands. Marriott Vacation Club and EDITION offer only Platinum Arrival Gift 500 bonus points option. At The Ritz-Carlton, you will automatically receive an Arrival Gift of 1,000 points if you are a points-earning member or 500 miles in your preferred airline program on file if you are a miles earner. http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/elite.mi

Room upgrade at Ritz for Marriott and Ritz platinums and golds: "1.Free Room Upgrade: Club Level and Suites not included. Based on room availability at check-in and limited to a Member's personal guestroom." http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/elite.mi

I had no problem receiving the 1,000 point "welcome amenity" and the room upgrade (upgraded canyon view) at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain.

Very minor quibble: My own personal view is that it is a little disappointing not to have the choice of a real welcome amenity (as opposed to points) at RC.

mecca11

Thanks for this. Im about to head back to DC for my last trip of the year, and was debating forgoing my trusty crystal gateway and trying the RC Pentagon City.

Not a chance now.

socrates

Chicago is also not part of the "Ritz-Carlton" chain as it's run/managed by Four Seasons and not MI

ohmark

The quotes appearing in the OP's post are 100% wrong in that they fly in the face of the rules of the Marriott/RC Rewards program. If I was given such ignorant answers by Ritz/Marriott personnel, I would have done something about it.

francophile

neither is RC Montreal

aaupgrade

Good thing to know I guess. FWIW there is no RC in Chicago or Montreal according to Ritzcarlton.com, hence its absence also from my post and marriott.com MR T&C. Perhaps Marriott should add them to the list of MR T&C exceptions on their web site.

Thanks lucycan for the info on the hotel. FWIW, the only upgrade I can see you getting at the Denver RC is a mountain view instead of prairie view. Both I assume have city views; however I must admit I am not familiar with this property. As noted in a post above, and in the less than 100 threads you read (just a slight exaggeration on your part - there are probably a dozen or so), upgrades to a suite or club level is not a benefit.

As long as your MR number was on your reservation, you should get the 1000 bonus points (assuming you're Plat) and 10 pts per $ of room rate and your elite bonus. If your points don't post a week after your stay then call MR and they will take care of it; be prepared to fax in a copy of your folio. Even if your MR number was not on the reservation, you can still contact them and get credit for your stay. Please let us know if everything posts properly on its own, or if you had to call MR. Thx.

It sounds like their FD could use some training. Many FD people, even those at Marriotts, are oblivious as to what happens point wise to our accounts. Still they could use some training especially how to properly field the question about elite benefits. A well written letter to the hotel management and MR by you might benefit us all. Then again, proactive steps by Marriott Concierge and/or other Marriott lurkers may well produce the same results. One can always hope.

SkiAdcock

On-topic:

Thanks ohmark! Sounds like the OP got an uninformed desk clerk & should contact a manager re: getting the staff trained/up to speed. If the OP has access to a printer, maybe she can print out your post.

Off-topic:

There's an FTer that lives above the Ritz in Chicago (which itself is above Water Tower Place or next to it IIRC), and another FTer lives above the Four Seasons in Chicago.

Cheers.

bokeyes23

I recently changed my profile from a Marriott Platinum to a RC Platinum because I knew I had RC stays coming up. The hotels recognized my status, upgraded to the CL floor, corner room both times, all access to lounge. They treated us with the utmost service and were overly kind to my family.

The Cleveland Ritz we stayed at on my Birthday and it was a great experience. When we arrived we took the elevator up to the lobby, they greeted my wife n daughter by name (bellman have ear sets to communicate), then brought out a wagon full of toys for her to pick one out, very cute and nice. Had the room key ready, didn't even really have to "check in". Went to the room with a personal escort beyond the bellman and was greeted by the Lounge attendant on the way, she was very friendly and talked with us for a few min. We got to the room on CL floor, corner room very nice. Then we went to lounge to get some snacks. When we got back to the room there was a hand written note with all our names on it saying thank you for choosing the RC Cleveland for your Bday. We thought that was very nice, in the evening though we were in the lounge and came back to the room and there was chocolate cake with happy birthday on it from the attendant, very very nice gesture! We also needed some baby wash and they sent up a whole kit with baby wash, little bath toys and cover for the bath faucet, very cute. All and all an amazing experience, I have stayed at this hotel 4-5 times in the past 2 years, first time since the RC joined in on the Status/rewards game and It definitely had an impact.

The other RC we stayed at was great as well (prefer not to say where). They treated us to the CL floor with City View balcony room. The attention to service was amazing and they even had free parking for Hybrid Vehicles (thought that was nice). Also great recognition and service. Makes staying at Marriott's and Renaissance much more difficult! Now the Mrs. thinks every hotel should be like that, so Im not sure if it was a good or bad idea to stay there

Also have stayed at about 5 Marriott's since I "changed" to RC rewards and no one has said a word, treated the exact same as a Marriott Plat. Room upgrade in Oak Brook, IL Marriott so I wasn't on highway side and Top floor room at The Henry in Dearborn. Which BTW still has a Ritz feel to me. The hotel is nice and all, nothing over the top , but the service is equivalent to a Ritz (being an old Ritz I imagine many of the same people work there, don't know that, I'm assuming). The lounge attendants were extremely friendly and even bought a present after she left work and brought it later that night for my daughter (she has that affect on people ) Needed some Pepto one night and the front desk had the manager open the gift shop for me to get some after it was closed, just all around great service.

So that's been my experience with RC and Marriott since the new program was rolled out. I have nothing but great reviews and would recommend anyone stay at the Ritz Cleveland or Henry anytime they are in town!

pinniped

Simple question, and I'm sure it's probably been asked before: is there any reason why all Marriott Platinums (or Golds, or whatever...) shouldn't change their profile to become Ritz-Carlton Platinums?

Would that cause us to lose access to anything on the Marriott side, such as the ability to print out EEO certificates on Marriott.com or register for Megabonus promotions? (I seems clear that you lose nothing at Marriott hotels - you're still a Platinum.)

I don't stay at a lot of Ritzes, but if I was a Plat with them I might be tempted to throw 'em a weekend stay here and there. I know my wife loves RC...I occasionally see an RC at a reasonable premium above what I'd pay for a typical Marriott, Westin, or Hilton.

aaupgrade

I personally would be more concerned with my quest for LT Plat getting screwed up. With only about 200 nights to go, I should be LT Plat sometime in 2012.

lucycan

And I thought I DID by calling the Platinum line. They CONFIRMED what the front desk told me.

So both the hotel and Marriott are wrong. How does this happen?