Marriott has just announced that they’ll be offering Platinum members complimentary suite upgrades in the Asia Pacific region effective immediately. The fine print reads as follows:

  • Complimentary suite upgrades are subject to availability for Platinum Elite members staying at participating hotels located in Asia Pacific.
  • Participating hotel brands in Asia Pacific include: JW Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott® Hotels. Hotel locations in Asia Pacific include: Australia, China (including Hong Kong S.A.R.), Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. In Japan and South Korea, suite upgrades may be limited and may be offered at the hotel’s discretion.
  • Complimentary Suite Upgrade: Generally, based on availability at check-in; in some cases, availability is determined later in the day. Limited to a Member’s personal guestroom. Upgrades include most available suite types, except Presidential Suites, Chairman Suites and other signature suites. For stays greater than 3 nights, suite upgrades are subject to the hotel’s discretion.

It’s interesting to note that these upgrades actually seem to be based on availability as opposed to at the hotel’s discretion (with the exception of Japan and South Korea), which is great news, since it means if a suite is available you should be able to get it as a Platinum member.

Even with this Marriott is still way behind the competition when it comes to elite benefits. Not only do they by far have the highest elite qualification tier for top tier status (75 nights), but their benefits are still lackluster. They don’t offer suite upgrades outside of the Asia Pacific region, they don’t offer Platinum members breakfast at resorts, and they don’t offer guaranteed late checkout.

Still, it’s a step in the right direction and they deserve credit for that… right?

(Tip of the hat to Mike)

Posted on August 6th, 2012 by lucky
Filed under: Marriott | 8 Comments »

  1. August 6th, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    Marriottrewards Programm führt kostenfreies Suitenupgrade in Asien für Platinum Member ein | Sven blogt… said,

    [...] zudem auch derzeit noch das höchste Hotel der Welt. (Review des Ritz Carlton Hongkong) Wie Ben von OneMailAtATime schrieb, durchaus eine Verbesserung des Programms. Die genauen Bedingungen finden sich hier: Terms [...]

  2. August 7th, 2012 at 12:11 am

    Carl said,

    to answer your question, no, not really.

  3. August 7th, 2012 at 12:45 am

    David said,

    It is great for us who live in Asia. Thanks!

  4. August 7th, 2012 at 12:48 am

    mohamed b said,

    Everything based on availability or hotel discretion is not real benefit.

  5. August 7th, 2012 at 2:57 am

    Kalboz said,

    This is awesome … who needs SPG any more!!! :)

  6. August 7th, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    dmodemd said,

    …and no weekend breakfast! What’s up with that? Who should I switch to for fall? Must have kitchen. Already Hilton Diamond. Should I do Hyatt House?

  7. August 8th, 2012 at 7:11 am

    lucky said,

    @ dmodemd — Tough to say. Are you already loyal to Marriott? If so might not make sense to switch right now if you need a property with a kitchen, since there aren’t any good promos with other programs either…

  8. September 16th, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    JP2 said,

    Just checked in to the SYD Marriott. Website shows several suites available, but as a Platinum member I didn’t get one. No real benefit I see so far.

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