And Another Bad Move by Marriott (EEO Elite Exclusive Offers)

[Michigan Czar]

My loyalty to Marriott is really coming into question and the EEO Elite Exclusive Offer "Enhancement" is the last straw!

It was posted by someone on Flyertalk that the next date range for the EEO certificates would be October 28, 2011 - January 15, 2012.

Well on September 21, 2011 the Marriott Concierge posted the following:

FALL BOGO For EEO's

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello all,

Due to a re-vamping of the Buy-One-Get-One Elite Exclusive Offers for stay and dining, the offers have been place on hold. There will not be any BOGO's for stays or dining offered for the remainder of 2011.

We will keep you posted on offers for 2012.

Kind regards,

Marie
__________________
Marriott Concierge Team
marriott.concierge@marriott.com

Marriott cannot figure out how to enhance the EEO offers for 2012 without eliminating the third batch of them for 2011. In the last two years we have taken numerous hits with the devaluation of Marriot Rewards Points, the "enhancement" of no blackout dates, the elimination of the Island hopper awards, the recent website "enhancement", the elimination of the all-inclusive awards and now the suspension of the third round of the EEOs for 2011.

I have been a loyal Marriott Rewards member for 15 years, earned 2.5 million points, stayed 900 nights and steered a lot of company business to them, but no more.

Even if they had offered the third batch of the EEOs in 2011 the duration had been reduced, see below for the past few years:


March 2, 2007 to June 3, 2007
June 29, 2007 to October 7, 2007
October 26, 2007 to January 13, 2008

March 7, 2008 to June 8, 2008
June 27, 2008 to October 5, 2008
October 31, 2008 to January 11, 2009

March 6, 2009 to June 7, 2009
June 26, 2009 to October 11, 2009
October 30, 2009 to January 10, 2010

March 5, 2010 to June 6, 2010
June 25, 2010 to October 10, 2010
October 29, 2010 to January 9, 2011

March 11, 2011 to June 5, 2011
July 8, 2011 to August 28, 2011
October 28, 2011 to January 15, 2012 - CANCELLED, due to "2012 enhancements"

I understand they have the right to eliminate benefits at anytime but to let others know the dates of the Fall batch and then pull that benefit a month before it is to start is just bad business! Marriott needs to wake up and send Ed French packing!

 

[dioxide45]

Let's just hope they do continue to offer the benefit. Though I have a feeling that their enhancements for the BOGO program won't be an enhancement for us.

 

[pwrshift]

I noticed that advance booking rates for Marriott hotels at the same dates and hotels of the previous years have seen dramatic increases in rates...some as much as 20-50% more for the hotels I book every year for my drive to and from my 4 week stay at Beachplace. Same thing for my hotel bookings to/from Manor Club. I suspect Marriott is going to create their own recession in 2012...sell your MAR stock now before the big dip comes for them. JMHO. More 'enhancements' to come no doubt. Coupled to MF increases for 2012 Marriott doesn't give a hoot for their customers...has JW retired??

 

[Michigan Czar]

Marriott Response

I sent Marriott an email detailing how they have cut numeroue benefits over the last two years and how disappointed I was that they pulled the fall EEOs to work on the 2012 EEOs. Here was their response:

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards.

Marriott constantly strives to improve its various customer service departments and programs. Therefore, please be assured that we have documented your comments for our development team to review. We truly do appreciate the comments you share.

Thank you for choosing Marriott.

Obviously they are not listening and do not care.

 

[flyboy0681]

I have been a loyal Marriott Rewards member for 15 years, earned 2.5 million points, stayed 900 nights and steered a lot of company business to them, but no more.

I've been a member since it was called the Marriott Marquis program back in the mid 80's and have accumulated roughly 5 million points, 1100 nights and am a lifetime Platinum (for as long as that lasts). I too have been dismayed over the "enhancements" introduced over the past two years. Most of all I'm put off at how they tried to spin it by saying the program is better than ever.

Let's face it, there's nothing we can do about it and they know it.

 

[thinze3]

Brian, they may be trending up slightly, but rates fell dramatically during the past two years. The CY in Fort Worth increased from $119/nt to $189/nt during my daughters 4 years in college there ('05 to '09). Because it was a Cat 2 at the time I would usually pay with points the last 2 years. 19K points vs over $400 for two nights. I think Marriott figured it out and changed the hotel to a Cat 3.

NOW however, the rooms start at only $119/nt. Maybe they'll change it back to a Cat 2.

I noticed that advance booking rates for Marriott hotels at the same dates and hotels of the previous years have seen dramatic increases in rates...some as much as 20-50% more for the hotels I book every year for my drive to and from my 4 week stay at Beachplace. Same thing for my hotel bookings to/from Manor Club. I suspect Marriott is going to create their own recession in 2012...sell your MAR stock now before the big dip comes for them. JMHO. More 'enhancements' to come no doubt. Coupled to MF increases for 2012 Marriott doesn't give a hoot for their customers...has JW retired??