SPG Ambassador worth it?
Dec 5, 2017, 12:57 pm
#91
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Dec 5, 2017, 1:31 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
While we're talking Ambassadors, have any of you veteran Ambassadees even enquired as to whether there is an appropriate form of Christmas recognition? I'm thinking of asking my Ambassador to fwd a request to his supervisor, but it would be nice if I could offer some kind of Christmas thank you.
Dec 5, 2017, 1:55 pm
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
While we're talking Ambassadors, have any of you veteran Ambassadees even enquired as to whether there is an appropriate form of Christmas recognition? I'm thinking of asking my Ambassador to fwd a request to his supervisor, but it would be nice if I could offer some kind of Christmas thank you.
Dec 5, 2017, 4:08 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Platinum (100)
Posts: 517
No one really knows whether SPG calculates or tracks this, but I’m fairly confident they calculate and track some metrics along these lines.
It doesn’t matter what is spent at any one hotel necessarily as much as what is spent overall at many properties or over certain durations/the year. When tracking overall spend, it would be irrelevant the the cost differences between properties or at different times of year.
All that SPG would need to know is that a Plat100 guest has spent a lot of money at SPG hotels and therefore is likely to spend an overall high amount of money at future SPG hotels.
It doesn’t matter what is spent at any one hotel necessarily as much as what is spent overall at many properties or over certain durations/the year. When tracking overall spend, it would be irrelevant the the cost differences between properties or at different times of year.
All that SPG would need to know is that a Plat100 guest has spent a lot of money at SPG hotels and therefore is likely to spend an overall high amount of money at future SPG hotels.
Dec 5, 2017, 4:12 pm
#95
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,548
I've just hit 100 stays. Here's hoping for an incredibly wonderful Ambassador, so then I will do my best to keep staying 100 nights yearly. I'll be a Lifetime Platinum after reaching 25 stays in 2018. Should be doable within the first quarter. Yay!
Dec 5, 2017, 6:08 pm
#96
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: DCA
Programs: SPG Plat100, Marriott Plat, AS MVP Gold, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 5
Dec 5, 2017, 7:24 pm
#97
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Jan 18, 2018, 1:12 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: spg
Posts: 1
So far, not good
Based on my experience so far, not good. It’s actually a deterrent. Welcome email took more than 2 weeks, and my ambassador seems more interested in protecting spg and the properties rather than catering to my needs. Pretty much, I’m just going to bypass my ambassador and call the general ambassador line if I need help, IF I can’t solve it myself. It just takes more time emailing, getting preached by the ambassador on what I’m doing wrong (no, I know what I’m doing and I’m not doing anything wrong. I asked you to do something so I CAN SAVE TIME, but ok write long emails in response on policies and procedures that I know already, and begrudgingly do it like you are an old friend doing me a favor). Even tried calling 4 times, trying to see if I can talk on the phone and be personable (wait... isn’t this their job?) but haven’t been able to connect. rather than being a liaison, this feels more like calling a HP tech support, where they ask you to restart your laptop for the 100th time hoping for a different results. If it were up to me so far, improve the training for ambassadors or get rid of it.
Jan 18, 2018, 7:25 am
#99
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 53
I second that often I get better help when talking to the general ambassador line rather than my assigned ambassador. Largely, the whole thing seems like fluff to me. I even switched ambassadors, and don't really feel like things even improved at all.
Jan 18, 2018, 10:13 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
I have over the last year or so voiced my thoughts on the Ambassador program and how it is very poor specially when compared to how it used to be! It is only fair then that I say on my stays so far this year things are looking up and also the general interaction is better! Time will tell if things continue to improve but certainly an upturn from where things were!
Jan 18, 2018, 11:04 am
#101
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: SPG
Posts: 41
I have had pretty negative / neutral Ambassador experiences so far. Maybe I just have had bad luck. Getting 75 nights was a more useful benchmark for me in terms of getting extra points. This year, I may simply get to 50 with SPG and try to go for Hyatt for the rest of the year.
Jan 18, 2018, 11:52 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 428
I've had very good experiences with my Ambassador, I hit the 75 night mark in Q3 last year and she has been extremely helpful in bookings using my corporate rates, suggesting SPG properties (including Marriot's) when I go international which are close to my offices and client locations. I absolutely have no issues with my ambassador and have great interactions. Not sure if I'll hit 75, but I will certainly give it a run again this year.
Jan 18, 2018, 1:49 pm
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I've found the ambassador service (when I had it from 2012 to 2016 inclusive) to be useful, but it really depends on which ambassador you get. The key is to find one you like and stick with them, as they get to know you better and your preferences.
Jan 18, 2018, 7:02 pm
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I've had very good experiences with my Ambassador, I hit the 75 night mark in Q3 last year and she has been extremely helpful in bookings using my corporate rates, suggesting SPG properties (including Marriot's) when I go international which are close to my offices and client locations. I absolutely have no issues with my ambassador and have great interactions. Not sure if I'll hit 75, but I will certainly give it a run again this year.
Jan 19, 2018, 4:13 pm
#105
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 428
My apologies... I was well over 100 nights last year of course.