Questions and Answers

Recently I had a huge problem with Sheraton Laval Hotel in Montreal.

I booked a meeting room at this hotel on Dec 27 for the first time. I know I’ll be rewarded 10 elite nights.

However, the sales department booked me a Suite room for meeting. The Suite 445 is listed under meeting/event venue on the website. So I tried to confirm with the staff to make sure it will be counted as a meeting event on my statement for 5 times! That person said yes every time.

By the day I arrived at the hotel. I confirmed again with the reception. Will it counted as a meeting room. The front desk staff said yes.

In the end, it showed up as a hotel stay on my account surprisingly! The hotel denied any wrongdoing and told me they cannot change the type.

I spent hundreds of dollars for re-qualifying for 2020 Platinum. Now it’s all gone. It’s not only about dollars, all the benefits and fun are also gone with it.

I really need help.

Mark, did you get a contract for booking the meeting room from the hotel sales department? That is the evidence I’ve used in the past

[QUOTE=”rickyw, post: 68038, member: 1436″]Mark, did you get a contract for booking the meeting room from the hotel sales department? That is the evidence I’ve used in the past[/QUOTE]
I did not get a contract. It was my first time, and I didn’t even know I need a contract. BUT I asked the sales agent the outcome, if this is qualified as a meeting type. And he said yes. Clear and sound.

I’m trying to get the hotel to sign me one for this case.

Hi Mark, sorry for your frustration. I’ve booked multiple business meetings and lunches over the last few years with Marriott, and would have issues getting the elite night credit too.

I just looked through my files and each meeting comes with a contract (since it’s booked through the sales department, not normal reservations). In addition, each of my receipts say “Meeting Room A – Banquet Charge” (or something similar).

If you haven’t already, I’d ask your sales agent to provide either of these, and that’s the evidence you should attach to your request to Marriott for the elite night credit. That’s worked for me many times…

[QUOTE=”rickyw, post: 68044, member: 1436″]Hi Mark, sorry for your frustration. I’ve booked multiple business meetings and lunches over the last few years with Marriott, and would have issues getting the elite night credit too.

I just looked through my files and each meeting comes with a contract (since it’s booked through the sales department, not normal reservations). In addition, each of my receipts say “Meeting Room A – Banquet Charge” (or something similar).

If you haven’t already, I’d ask your sales agent to provide either of these, and that’s the evidence you should attach to your request to Marriott for the elite night credit. That’s worked for me many times…[/QUOTE]
Thank you very much. If I get the evidence/receipts, do I email to Marriott Rewards or call them?

I always start with the Report A Missing Stay link on your account activity online. That way it creates a reference number. Calling sounds easy, but I’d rather have the (electronic) paper trail.

Good luck!

I think Marriott removed the 10 elite nights per first meeting room recently because too many people had “meetings” to get more elite nights. I don’t think there is much to do: there was a loophole, you tried, it didn’t work… it is not a “fraud” from the hotel, just a trick that didn’t work out.

[QUOTE=”alexcalifornia89, post: 68144, member: 6292″]I think Marriott removed the 10 elite nights per first meeting room recently because too many people had “meetings” to get more elite nights. I don’t think there is much to do: there was a loophole, you tried, it didn’t work… it is not a “fraud” from the hotel, just a trick that didn’t work out.[/QUOTE]

How is it a “loophole”? Isn’t it a stated benefit?

It was a stated benefit that went away as of January 1st.

I was giving the original poster the benefit of the doubt that he booked an actual meeting ;). But either way, his ‘meeting’ was in December, so the “loophole” was a stated benefit at the time. As long as he booked through the correct process, he should receive credit.

[QUOTE=”rickyw, post: 68148, member: 1436″]It was a stated benefit that went away as of January 1st.

I was giving the original poster the benefit of the doubt that he booked an actual meeting ;). But either way, his ‘meeting’ was in December, so the “loophole” was a stated benefit at the time. As long as he booked through the correct process, he should receive credit.[/QUOTE]

Understood… I rarely stay at Marriott properties and don’t follow all the changes to its program.

So it was a benefit that was too beneficial for the consumer so Marriott “Bonvoyed” it.

Ha, that about sums it up 🙂

A couple years ago, you could do it as many times as you’d like. Book a “meeting” and get 10 elite night credits. Some of the smaller Courtyards and such in more rural areas often would book you a room with lunch for $200. Then, about a year ago, Marriott said you could get the 10 elite nights, but only for one meeting per year. Now, zilch.

If I’m being honest, I booked a legit meeting a few years ago, realized how easy it was, and did book a pretty basic, unnecessary lunch meeting later on to get another 10 nights. So, over the years I think I got 50 nights – 40 from actual meetings and 10 from playing the game.

I wish Marriott would just put some sort of a minimum spend on meetings to still get the nights. To close the loophole, they’ve also pushed me (a legit customer) to just find a wework space and have lunch catered in…

[QUOTE=”OCTinPHL, post: 68145, member: 4556″]How is it a “loophole”? Isn’t it a stated benefit?[/QUOTE]
it is a state benefits yes and I am sure many people use it well. Also many people just spend the minimum time required with minimum food and drinks (or nothing) just to get the 10 nights credit. As the person mentioned, he just wanted to have the 10 elites night so if it worked out, good for him, if it didn’t work, well he tried, I would not complain more personally.

That’s probably also why so many credit cards removed some benefits (price protection, warranty, bag delay, etc…): when some people push it too much!