Advantages of booking direct through Marriott?

[aussiedom]

I just recently acquired Marriott Gold status following their merger with SPG. I have made a reservation via their site for 3 nights in Vegas next August. Anyway, it seems I can get the same room under the same conditions for maybe 200 USD less than my current reservation. I have read with interest the thread about the 'Best Rate Guarantee' from a few months ago. Some good advice there and I will probably go through that process.

My question is what do you lose out on (as a Gold-tier member, for example) if you book via Expedia or some other channel rather than through Marriott. I assume you wouldn't earn Marriott points for the stay, but would they also not recognize your status for things like upgrades, late checkout, etc?

 

[nightelves]

Status are still recognised upon check-in they so you won't need to worry about that.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Status is rarely recognized unless you book direct.

The big Gold benefit with Marriott is breakfast so make sure the comparable rate includes that (assuming your BRG is denied); if your BRG is successful you will price match with something extra ...you'll get the breakfast and points and of course contribute to your status for the following year.

I just recently acquired Marriott Gold status following their merger with SPG. I have made a reservation via their site for 3 nights in Vegas next August. Anyway, it seems I can get the same room under the same conditions for maybe 200 USD less than my current reservation. I have read with interest the thread about the 'Best Rate Guarantee' from a few months ago. Some good advice there and I will probably go through that process.

My question is what do you lose out on (as a Gold-tier member, for example) if you book via Expedia or some other channel rather than through Marriott. I assume you wouldn't earn Marriott points for the stay, but would they also not recognize your status for things like upgrades, late checkout, etc?

 

[Haplo]

You would almost always book direct because you will get much more personalised stay (along with elite benefit), as booking direct means the hotel does not need to pay the 20% or so commission to OTA.

 

[leadman]

I have always booked direct because once you start gaining status you get upgrades and other benefits automatically. If you book via Expedia et al. they only recognise you on check-in and most good rooms could be gone. I've obtained Pt life, and I get personal emails days out before checking in making sure everything is ready, and I could not ever count the number of late checkouts I've had; JW BKK was fantastic recently right up to 9pm!