Beware: Cost of key bracelet exchange

[gerryburguera]

Having a nice sized collection of old Marriott room key bracelets, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of new ones to exchange them. We arrived at Marriott Villas in Doral FL and asked to get the new ones in exchange for the old ones. They said there was a $3.50 charge for each exchange!

I protested explaining that MANY Marriott resorts have told me that when they became available they would be exchanged at NO CHARGE. The mgr was consulted and approved the no cost transaction.
This type of petty behavior really bothers me from a company who has always spoken about taking excellent care of their customers—especially the loyal ones.

New bracelets are identical except for a ‘04-2024’ label on the back. Original price is the same also: $10 each or 2 for $15, profits to the Children’s Network.

 

[PsuFrh]

Having a nice sized collection of old Marriott room key bracelets, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of new ones to exchange them. We arrived at Marriott Villas in Doral FL and asked to get the new ones in exchange for the old ones. They said there was a $3.50 charge for each exchange!

I protested explaining that MANY Marriott resorts have told me that when they became available they would be exchanged at NO CHARGE. The mgr was consulted and approved the no cost transaction.
This type of petty behavior really bothers me from a company who has always spoken about taking excellent care of their customers—especially the loyal ones.

New bracelets are identical except for a ‘04-2024’ label on the back. Original price is the same also: $10 each or 2 for $15, profits to the Children’s Network.

At Ocean Pointe last year, we too had to "exchange" our older key bracelets for the new ones. We charged the full amount: $10 for 1 or $15 for 2. Since we had paid the full price for the original ones we had as well as one we replaced a year before, we were not pleased to have to pay for new ones.

These changes should be uniform throughout the system and not different rules at each resort. I'll check at Ocean Pointe when we're there in March to see how they are handling it this year.

 

[dioxide45]

i’m not sure if the cost of the wristbands comes out of any proceeds that go to Children’s Miracle Network. If it does then charging $3.50 it’s not that bad considering it is more or less a charitable donation. Getting new ones for free is really just taking money away from children’s miracle network.

 

[SChiam]

For a charge of $3.50 with proceed going to Children Miracle Network, I feel badly for the Marriott staff who had to deal with petty entitled customers.

 

[davidvel]

For a charge of $3.50 with proceed going to Children Miracle Network, I feel badly for the Marriott staff who had to deal with petty entitled customers.

I agree and dislike that the manager gave in which only encourages this. I sincerely doubt that all these other resorts told them this as every time we exchanged we paid the reduced fee. Even if they had the current policy is obviously not to give for free. Total Karen behavior.

 

[dougp26364]

$5,000 for the timeshare (resale), $2,000 per year maintenance fees, arguing over a $3.50 exchange fee or $15 fee for two new re-usable
room keys…..priceless

 

[davidvel]

$5,000 for the timeshare (resale), $2,000 per year maintenance fees, arguing over a $3.50 exchange fee or $15 fee for two new resealable room keys…..priceless

With the fee going to charity.

 

[bazzap]

Do all MVC resorts actually make it clear that whatever fee they charge is a charitable contribution?
Relatively few owners in Europe seem to have these bracelets and they don’t seem to be offering them now at check in.
They even seemed a little surprised last week when I asked for our bracelets to be reprogrammed with our villa number.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jme]

For a charge of $3.50 with proceed going to Children Miracle Network, I feel badly for the Marriott staff who had to deal with petty entitled customers.

Amen!
Having those nice keys is a cool thing to have, and so what if you have to spend a wee minimal amount to get one?
We enjoy having several for our kids too.
IMHO, it's an "extra"....and only slightly more than ONE gallon of gas.
Sorry, 'scuse me......but where does this (complaining) stop?

And with the savings that some people get by not paying the TUG membership fee,
do they realize they can get several wrist band keys????
What a great country !

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Having a nice sized collection of old Marriott room key bracelets, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of new ones to exchange them. We arrived at Marriott Villas in Doral FL and asked to get the new ones in exchange for the old ones. They said there was a $3.50 charge for each exchange!

I protested explaining that MANY Marriott resorts have told me that when they became available they would be exchanged at NO CHARGE. The mgr was consulted and approved the no cost transaction.
This type of petty behavior really bothers me from a company who has always spoken about taking excellent care of their customers—especially the loyal ones.

New bracelets are identical except for a ‘04-2024’ label on the back. Original price is the same also: $10 each or 2 for $15, profits to the Children’s Network.

Folks; $3.50 is far less than the cost of a Resort hamburger. Where's the beef?

Pick your battles. Protest high maintenance fees instead!

Meanwhile, for a mere $15 you can become a TUG Member (instead of a "Guest"). Click on the blue bar above: "Join TUG!" Best $15 you'll ever spend.













.

 

[billymach4]

Just snickering and laughing

 

[Fasttr]

OP’s head may explode if he/she travels to HHI, where all of the MVCs are soon switching to yet again a newer band, even after recently switching to the newer 04-2024 bands. Apparently the super latest bands are more cloth-like vs rubber and have a longer/thinner RFID tag, which supposedly makes their usability much improved vs current ones (which can be a bit finicky at times).

 

[davidvel]

OP’s head may explode if he/she travels to HHI, where all of the MVCs are soon switching to yet again a newer band, even after recently switching to the newer 04-2024 bands. Apparently the super latest bands are more cloth-like vs rubber and have a longer/thinner RFID tag, which supposedly makes their usability much improved vs current ones (which can be a bit finicky at times).

I've seen those in FB posts. They are like the cloth ones for concerts and sports events. I might go back to the plastic card at that point, but have never stayed on HHI.

 

[dioxide45]

OP’s head may explode if he/she travels to HHI, where all of the MVCs are soon switching to yet again a newer band, even after recently switching to the newer 04-2024 bands. Apparently the super latest bands are more cloth-like vs rubber and have a longer/thinner RFID tag, which supposedly makes their usability much improved vs current ones (which can be a bit finicky at times).

I saw someone wearing one of those today at Crystal Shores. Or at least I think that is what they were wearing. Is there also a QR code on it?

 

[Fasttr]

I saw someone wearing one of those today at Crystal Shores. Or at least I think that is what they were wearing. Is there also a QR code on it?

Not sure.

 

[dioxide45]

Not sure.

I may have to stop by the front desk and buy one (or two). I didn't have them program our new ones as I usually forget to take them in with me when I check in.

 

[dioxide45]

I've seen those in FB posts. They are like the cloth ones for concerts and sports events. I might go back to the plastic card at that point, but have never stayed on HHI.

I recall them trying to sell me the cloth ones (really a elastic type fabric) at KoOlina (I think). I turned them down. Wyndham has similar ones and I really don't like them. I just use the the regular cards at most places now.

 

[davidvel]

I recall them trying to sell me the cloth ones (really a elastic type fabric) at KoOlina (I think). I turned them down. Wyndham has similar ones and I really don't like them. I just use the the regular cards at most places now.

We'll be at MKO in about a month and will see if someone doesn't report back by then.

 

[craigd]

Seriously? This site has hit rock bottom if this is what people are complaining about.

 

[dougp26364]

I almost always forget to take our old wrist bands and just buy a new pair. If the resort has a parking garage that requires key card access, then I’ll get one regular room key card to keep in the car. It’s generally easier than trying to manipulate my wrist key for the garage card reader.

When I look at the cost to get to the resort, either flying or driving, the cost of the meals, souvenirs and other expenses associated with vacation, a $15 charge where the proceeds go to charity seems to be the least of my worries. Plus, buying the room key bands probably saves the cost of replacing the regular room key cards that guest forget to return. About half the time, when we use those key cards, at least one doesn’t get returned because it accidentally gets packed or we just forget to take it out and leave it as we’re exiting the resort.

 

[jd2601]

We have a lot of both types of wrist key cards typically used them. Came back from Summitt Watch last week. Wrist band key worked very poorly. Front desk agreed they were very pick and suggested turning inside out to open doors. This worked slightly better but gave up and used traditional key cards. Typically find them very useful, especially when in the pool.

 

[amycurl]

We enjoy the bands, esp. for going to/from the pool, but agree that their usefulness seem hit or miss. They only worked maybe 50% of the time at Surf Watch when we were there back in Jan.

 

[jwalk03]

I almost always forget to take our old wrist bands and just buy a new pair. If the resort has a parking garage that requires key card access, then I’ll get one regular room key card to keep in the car. It’s generally easier than trying to manipulate my wrist key for the garage card reader.

When I look at the cost to get to the resort, either flying or driving, the cost of the meals, souvenirs and other expenses associated with vacation, a $15 charge where the proceeds go to charity seems to be the least of my worries. Plus, buying the room key bands probably saves the cost of replacing the regular room key cards that guest forget to return. About half the time, when we use those key cards, at least one doesn’t get returned because it accidentally gets packed or we just forget to take it out and leave it as we’re exiting the resort.

I buy new ones frequently as well. I think I have at least 10 of the old ones now. I really wanted to get the new ones at Grande Vista this past week- but they did not have any to sell unfortunately.

Agree on having a key card in the car for gates too! way easier than the wristband for that purpose- but use the wrist bands for basically everything else around the resort.

 

[rickandcindy23]

For a charge of $3.50 with proceed going to Children Miracle Network, I feel badly for the Marriott staff who had to deal with petty entitled customers.

This.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We just purchased the new fabric / elastic-banded keys at Ko Olina last week. I remembered to bring our old ones, but left them in my suitcase in the car at check-in. We had great luck with these, no issues with them not working anywhere. I found them a lot more comfortable than the older ones with the plastic bands.