Have I been Bonvoy’d?

[Beachclubmum]

Not sure if this is company policy or the result of an over zealous front desk clerk. WDYT?

We do lots of different Marriott stays (average 5 per month) and usually I’m the one checking in at the front desk. As usual today I set out my DL and Marriott CC used to make the reservation. DH was in the car with a migraine but front desk person insisted he had to present his DL since his name was the one used. He’s the default on the rewards account so that’s the name on all our reservations.

Have never had that happen before. We call in my dd’s name if she uses a room but she also doesn’t have the CC we use. Lots of times I’m checking in without DH there (either he’s arriving at a different time or he’s not with me at all). It’s never been an issue.

I was a little incredulous when front desk person said he had to be there; plus annoyed for him since he had a migraine. Is this really company policy as told to me? 2 nights ago I checked in at DS’s college town by myself with no issue as usual. Has anyone experienced this?

 

[Fasttr]

It’s likely the policy, but in my experience, rarely enforced as strictly as you experienced.

 

[pedro47]

It is policy, but in our travel over the last forty years, it is rarely enforced as the OP has the describe in their post.

 

[davidvel]

So the front desk required the person on the reservation to be the person who checks in with ID? This doesn't seem overzealous, but completely appropriate.

 

[tperez]

This happened to us once at an SPG property pre-Marriott merger. Now if we know my wife will be the one checking in we try and chat to make sure she's listed on the reservation.

 

[jewls]

I’ve had it happen a few times. So irritating!

 

[Fasttr]

That’s the problem with individual accounts. The ability to sign up for a joint account would be much more customer friendly for many of us.

 

[travelinmom]

My sons have checked in all over the world with a reservation in my husband’s name. I have been required to have the front desk call my husband to confirm I “was allowed” to check in. Other times I’ve had to have my husband come in from the car to confirm he is with me. I’ve raised it with Marriott multiple times. Marriott’s answer... edit the reservation to list both of us or make a note I’m checking in. I am all for joint accounts! Would also make it easier if something happened to one of us. Instead, we each have an account. It would be so much easier to have one joint account.


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[jabberwocky]

Benefits in hotel reward programs have been significantly diluted because of too many people getting elite status via routes other than actual hotel stays.

Going to joint accounts would effectively potentially double the number of elites and make it harder for those of us who actually earn status (mostly) the hard way to get properly recognized.

They said - I did like the old Fairmont hotels loyalty program where I could transfer specific certificates (free nights, suite upgrade, dining/spa credits) to my spouse for them to use if travelling by themselves. Unfortunately Accor destroyed that program so my stays there are zero this year and will be in the future.

 

[AlmostRetired]

What I normally do when I travel with one of my kids or my wife and he/she arrives first is add his name to the reservation with a note that he/she would be checking in first. This is not the case with you. I would have explained that my spouse was not feeling well and in the car. If they (the check in desk) wanted to go with me to the car, they could validate the information. If she/he didn't or wouldn't, I would have asked the manager to do this. I understand the need for rules but they should never be used as a an excuse for laziness. If one doesn't have the confidence that your employee can bend the rules under certain circumstances, better training is needed.

 

[Mr. Vker]

How is this possibly being Bonvoy'd? They verified the named guest was there. Perhaps it was a special rate or something. Ultimately doesn't matter-they just wanted an ID. Bonvoy'd refers to being denied or having something go wrong that shouldn't. Missing nights, points, etc. You were not Bonvoy'd.

 

[chunkygal]

I,too would like joint accounts. As it is we both have one and I transfer points to my hubbies acct yearly. Hope he doesn’t go first! He has 1mill points and when he gets back from his deployment I intend to spend them.
I have had that happen to me once, but since I have one of his cards as an authorized user they took that since the ressie was under that card, but love the suggestion of putting both names on reservation.