RafKa

As an economist, you should know that loyalty programs are created to distort rational behavior. I have never worked for a company that strictly enforced choosing the absolute cheapest airfare/hotel room, and nor would I. Being accommodating to employees' loyalty program preferences (within reason) is often a "gesture" to make up for the downsides of business travel (i.e. time away from home, etc).

myko85

Same. Now that I no longer get elite night credit for multiple rooms, there is no longer any incentive for me to book multiple rooms at SPG hotels. When I travel solo, I still book SPG. If I travel with my staff, I book Hyatt (since total spend gets counted towards lifetime globalist).

ac/elite

Seriously?

escape4

I think in real life there is a wide range of possible circumstances where someone would book a room but not stay in the room. Depending at which end of the spectrum you are, it might be fine or not so fine. Your example above is one where perhaps the hotel might not be very willing to accommodate the guest, if it was me I would ask the guest who is that "someone" and why they don't book themselves. An even stronger example (and possibly the one for which the rules were designed for): if someone sells online the elite perks several times per year in a hotel in his hometown by checking in on behalf of a complete stranger for financial gain, indeed if I was the hotel GM I would object. And if I was Marriott, I would consider firing that customer.

But most likely, honest people who would only very occasionally book a room where they would not stay in, the circumstances could be fully understandable and likely to be accepted by the hotel. At least if I was the hotel GM, I would be more than happy to help out an elite member being transparent with me for examples such as these:
1. "Hey, my best friend is coming to town for my birthday party but unfortunately we don't have any more beds for him at home and I want to pay for his hotel room. Do you mind if I book the room and pay myself, but it's him who will stay overnight, not me?"
2. "Hey, I am staying across the street at a Hilton on a pre-paid rate for a conference I am attending, and now my wife and our newborn baby will join on this trip. We want to have two separate rooms and take turns to take care of the baby during the night and ensure that at least one of us sleeps, but the Hilton is full. Do you mind if I book a room at your hotel and I will possibly only spend half the night at your hotel, or depending how things go during the night, perhaps not at all?
3. "Hey, my two teenage sons need a room at your hotel with their other friends for an event they are participating in. I am already booked on a pre-paid rate at the Hyatt across the street but do you mind if I pay for my sons' room even though I will not stay overnight at your hotel myself?

Personally, for any of #1-2-3 and several other similar scenarios I would not feel what the guest is doing is "close to fraud". Nowhere near that. But if the hotel feels differently and they refuse the request, they are certainly entitled to do so.

Bottom line is that I think we agree that there are exceptions where it would be fine, where we possibly differ is in how often the exceptions would pop up. I think there are lots of exceptions where getting the night credit without staying there would be fine. If I was a hotel GM I would be quite liberal in that respect.

Since Marriott needs a written rule, they need to draw the line somewhere. The only way I can see the line can be drawn is by requiring the guest to physically check-in, not to stay overnight. And to not profit from any ill-advised scheme. But any room booked for a relative, friend, or co-worker, for something without financial gain, and if it's very occasional rather than repeated use, then no big deal in my humble opinion.

mgkelly

Also disappointed in this change....likely means I will just miss out on Plat this year

kaizen7

Starwood Lurker

Just as an FYI, if anyone had booked and completed any multiple room stays prior to August 18th at legacy SPG properties and only got credit for one room, you can now send your folios for the other one or two rooms to Program Services at [email protected] and they will consider these on a case-by-case basis. You should allow up to 10 business days for any corrections to be made.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International

[email protected]

Kara5930

I had booked and paid two rooms at Westin Sydney from 10th to 17th August (one day before the merge of the programs).
I received points for both rooms but elite nights credits only for one.
I sent an email to add the remaining 7 nights for the second room and got the following answer:
Hello Ognian,

"Thank you for your email.

We have reviewed the folios you forwarded to us as well as your loyalty account. While we understand that this stay was before the merger of our 3 loyalty programs, considering that the stay has been posted after the date, the new T&Cs would apply. Meaning to say, you will be eligible to earn points for both rooms but night counts for only 1 room - in which is the case now. With that said, we will not be able to amend the stay posting any further.

We hope you understand. Should you require any further clarification, please feel free to let us know.

Best regards,
ХХХХХХХХХХХ
Specialist, Social Media
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC
"
Am I entitled to the elite nights from the second room?

RogerD408

Yes, they are allowed to change the T&Cs at any time with/without notice. Personally I would push back and escalate this issue. Too many CSRs make up rules to fit the error and try to push us off. However, choosing your battles may be wise here. IF those 7 nights will make a tier change, then it would be more important and may get some consideration.

Starwood Lurker

Apologies for any confusion which I will have addressed internally, but the call to action in post #67 is to send this to the Research team at [email protected], not [email protected].

If Research says they can no longer do this, then - obviously - I was misinformed.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International

[email protected]

Kara5930

My mistake. I wrote to [email protected] on September 9 and 19, but there is no answer.