Marriott solves SNA Suite availability problem

[jme]

I concur, rarely is anything really for our benefit no matter how they wrap it up!!

I have had the exact opposite experience in my 25 years of Marriott ownership (and thus hotel travel as a result).......
Of course I've only been Lifetime Titanium (or the equivalent) for the past 12+ years on the hotel side, and Chairman level in MVC,
but we have always been welcomed (many times with more than mere words), received many upgrades, and in general treated extremely well with a wide range of "extras".
These things have happened on a consistent basis on both the hotel side and the timeshare side,
and we feel very fortunate---- not only to have access to all that Marriott offers just by virtue of loyal ownership, but also to perks given above that.
I'm sure that a handful of posters in this thread alone would agree based on their lifetime experiences with Marriott.
Business is business, and Marriott, like all other similar companies in the hospitality industry, is no different in the things they must do to maintain their bottom line,
and I understand it. But at the same time I still appreciate greatly what we have experienced and the opportunities we will continue to have at our fingertips.

 

[Dean]

I have had the exact opposite experience in my 25 years of Marriott ownership (and thus hotel travel as a result).......
Of course I've only been Lifetime Titanium (or the equivalent) for the past 12+ years on the hotel side, and Chairman level in MVC,
but we have always been welcomed (many times with more than mere words), received many upgrades, and in general treated extremely well with a wide range of "extras".
These things have happened on a consistent basis on both the hotel side and the timeshare side,
and we feel very fortunate---- not only to have access to all that Marriott offers just by virtue of loyal ownership, but also to perks given above that.
I'm sure that a handful of posters in this thread alone would agree based on their lifetime experiences with Marriott.
Business is business, and Marriott, like all other similar companies in the hospitality industry, is no different in the things they must do to maintain their bottom line,
and I understand it. But at the same time I still appreciate greatly what we have experienced and the opportunities we will continue to have at our fingertips.

With most changes there are winners and losers, I see that as inevitable for even the most positive changes. For the most part the bigger changes to MVC over the years have been to my advantage. Abound, more resorts, 13 month reservation window, even dropping the resorts that were not up to standards have all worked out best for me. In part I think I've been fortunate and in part I've positioned myself to take advantage of those options. Certainly that requires a certain level of commitment and $$$. I would consider the addition of Westin/Vistana as a neutral move, more competition but more volume for some of the places I like to go, mostly HI. However, there are no big plusses for me with that change as there were no new destinations that truly interest me. And those members of the other systems are likely in the same boat for the most part.

It could have worked out the other way though, esp since my original MVC purchase at HP came down to buying a Spicebush/Swallowtail week vs HP for exchanging.

 

[DanCali]

Hey, Insiders!
Exciting changes are coming to Suite Night Awards — beginning with a new name, Nightly Upgrade Awards! Soon it will be easier to access these exclusive awards and enjoy premium rooms or suites at the brands you love.
Starting early 2024, you can use your awards at five additional hotel brands — including The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Aloft, Element, and Protea Hotels. Plus, you’ll have nearly 20% more premium rooms and suites available for upgrades across all participating brands, with features like oceanfront views, balconies, and extra space.
With Nightly Upgrade Awards, you’ll have more opportunities to secure an upgrade for your stays in early 2024 and beyond.
You can continue to earn these awards through our Annual Choice Benefit and/or Brilliant Earned Choice Award programs, and any upgrade requests will be confirmed closer to check-in, starting three days prior to arrival.
To learn more, please visit: https://help.marriott.com/s/article/Article-35372

"Marriott solves SNA Suite availability problem" - may be overhyping these changes

It's nice that they are adding the Ritz but going from "Suite Night Awards" to "Nightly Upgrade Awards" is a huge downgrade in my view. This is most likely going to be like the Amex Platinum room upgrade for the Fine Hotels and Resorts "based on availability". In the 25 years I've had that card, and at least 1+ annual trips to Vegas, I never got a real suite upgrade in at least 15 years. The most likely upgrade is going from a desert view to a strip view, which I really don't value that much. Suites are always available, but upgrades are offered for (high) nightly fees. Doing this just gives Marriott more excuses not to upgrade to suites (which often are available, but upgrades don't come through) - they can just tell you that you didn't pick view upgrades that were available.

We'll see what kind of upgrades people get at the Ritz and other places going forward. I'd much rather have them add the breakfast at the Ritz as a benefit for Platinums and/or Titaniums. I just got back from burning two 80K awards (+ topoffs) at the NYC St. Regis. That breakfast-for-2 credit of $92 was great, and highly memorable (but SNA went unfulfilled, as expected).

 

[ljmiii]

"Marriott solves SNA Suite availability problem" - may be overhyping these changes

Sorry, I should have been clearer...I was joking about Marriott's solving *their* Suite availability problem not that of their elite members.

By removing "Suite" from the name, Marriott no longer has to deal with the neverending complaints about the scarcity of suites available to SNA (never mind the infrequent awarding of those suites). Problem solved!

 

[Bill4728]

I've had SNA requests denied a few times but received my titanium suite upgrades when I arrived at the hotel. One front desk manager told me that the SNA had more complicated redemption requirements so the hotels didn't like dealing with them. I hope this change doesn't result in fewer suite upgrades using titanium status.

I travel a lot both for business and vacations and have been a Marriott junkie for 25 years or so. My experience since the merger (and inclusion of the SNA benefit) is that I get upgraded every time at a large hotel regardless of brand just from being Titanium. It ranges from a better view to a suite. At Residence Inns I always get a 1BR or 2BR instead of a studio. The way that I've used my SNAs has been in hotels like the Autograph Collection properties. In those you may have a lot of different room configurations. I usually hold out with my "pie in the sky" requests until 5 days out and if nothing hits, I'll add more. I've only been denied one time, but I got upgraded anyway to a really good room. This experience has been the same whether paying cash or using points. I like that they added Ritz Carlton. I'm going to try out whether I can book with points and then get upgraded with SNA. Fingers crossed.

Thanks Guys

that info is good to know.

 

[daviator]

We recently returned from a trip to Europe. I requested a suite upgrade at 3 different hotels over 7 different nights. The bad news was I never was given a suite upgrade via the bonvoy suite upgrade program. The GOOD NEWS was at all three hotels I received a room upgrade because of my titanium status. This included a upgrade to a three night stay in a 1 bd suite.

i have had amazing luck in Europe. Not with SNAs but just with status upgrades. At one hotel in Eastern Europe, they had my name on a signboard in the lobby welcoming us, and we had a suite that was at least 2,000 sqft (the booked room was one of their smallest.) They really seem to attach a lot more importance to status there.

 

[claraj]

I don't stay at enough hotels (almost all my stays are at vacation clubs) to think this is a meaningful sample, but I have stayed at 3 Residence Inn's this year and it is the first time I've had Platinum status. I was not offered an upgrade for the first 2 stays. However, I decided to use 3 of my 5 Nightly Upgrade Rewards on my upcoming stay (checking in tomorrow) because I am staying with a larger group, and my upgrade came through just now. They did not give me the 2 bedroom suite that is showing available, but I did get a 1 bedroom suite that comes with 2 bathrooms and an ocean view. This is a nice upgrade from the studio with partial ocean view I was originally booked in.