BlakeTraveler

Might we add Ritz-Carlton Rewards to the Marriott Rewards title/link under hotel programs since they are linked, but still two distinctly different programs? It's a little confusing right now with everything in one pot, but the board title only saying "Marriott Rewards."

hhoope01

You might want to ask this on the Talkboard Topics forum. Recommendations for forum creations/removals/name changes/etc is one of the main things they do.

For what its worth, I think there is some merit the idea and definitely worth getting it infront of the TB for discussion.

bdschobel

Two good ideas. I did the move.

Bruce
Marriott Rewards Moderator

hhoope01

For some background info (as I'm not sure how much the various TB members normally follow the Marriott Forum.)

The Ritz Carlton brand (RC) is owned by Marriott. This makes the RC brand similar to the St. Regis brand for Starwood or possibly the Waldorf Astoria brand for Hilton. Toward the end of 2010, Marriott announced that RC would have its own Rewards program. Basically that Rewards program is the same as normal Marriott's Reward program, but with a "different" front end. Points are the same, earnings are the same and members can even switch between the two programs almost at will. The only major difference is that having an RC program allows them to target RC members with ads and promos differently than Marriott Rewards members.

If anyone wants to see any of the major RC threads in the Marriott forum, check out the RC section on the Marriott FAQ sticky thread. It has links to a number of the various discussion threads around the RC program and its relationship with the Marriott Rewards program.

With that said, we do tend to see from time to time questions concerning the RC program (due to a lack of understanding of what it is and its relationship to the Marriott program). Also, there is a Luxury Hotels forum that some could easily go there to ask about RC as some of RCs major competitors (i.e. Four Seasons) is listed there. Note that there is probably nothing wrong with someone asking a non-rewards RC question in the Luxury Hotel forum, but the Marriott/RC forum would definitely be a better place for any Rewards program questions.

By adding RC to the Marriott forum title, it could help direct persons to the correct forum for questions about the RC program.

I did entertain for a bit the thought of suggesting an RC "sub-forum" under Marriott's program. But while there are some questions/comments/posts specficly concerning the RC program, there aren't necessarily a lot of those (as compared to the Marriott specific volume of posts) and the answers to most questions is "its just like the regular Marriott program." So given there isn't a lot of specific RC only traffic and most of the answers tend to be the same for both programs, my thoughts are that a sub-forum would be too much.

So to keep things simple a possible name for this forum might be "Marriott and Ritz Carlton Rewards".

bdschobel

Alternatively, perhaps:

"Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton)"

Bruce

hhoope01

Your much smarter than I.

SkiAdcock

As a Marriott forum regular, that makes the most sense to me.

What he said!

BTW - hhoope01 did a good job summarizing the Marriott/RC situation, and I agree w/ him that there probably aren't enough RC threads to justify a sub-forum. So bdschobel's suggestion is a good one.

Cheers.

BlakeTraveler

Great feedback everyone. Given that the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program is linked to Marriott, but still a completely separate rewards program, I think "Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton)" would not be a proper title and in fact insinuates that the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program is a subset of Marriott Rewards (which it is not).

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program has entirely different point redemption level than Marriott Rewards and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is a separate legal entity entirely.

My vote (for what it's worth): "Marriott Rewards & Ritz-Carlton Rewards"

Kagehitokiri

or marriott / ritz carlton rewards

points are exactly the same, and benefits are pretty much the same

awards have always been possible, so thats not a change, and actually cost was increased

not sure how many people will start staying because of points earning

hotel discussion would really be best in luxury hotels forum, other than status recognition, and benefits via travel agent etc are better than status offerings

tcook052

Actually TB only handles forum creation or disolution and simple name changes can be handled by forum moderators and SanDiego1K as has been established in other recent name change requests on this board:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18238206-post9.html

bdschobel

Let's see if we get more feedback, then I'll make a request.

Bruce

Kagehitokiri

SanDiego1K said something similar in luxury hotels forum (i believe thread on changing description is still stickied) including saying that she would make the change (forum description) not TB

MSPeconomist

I like the Marriott/Ritz Carlton form of the title.

However, my argument to add RC to the forum name is to make clear that RC material now belongs under Marriott, not Luxury Hotels. AFAIK StRegis reviews are in SPG, not Luxury, Waldorf-Astoria in Hilton, Park Hyatt in Hyatt, although the comparison threads belong in Luxury.

Even if it will initially be small, it might make sense to have a sub forum for RC as it's easier to do this from the beginning than to sort it out later when the need becomes apparent.

Kagehitokiri

lux hotels forum is always comparison...

if this wasnt discussing moderation, id comment further...

kcaluwae

+1