One extremely interesting quirk since the launch of Marriott Bonvoy has been the one brand exception that does not require (and I know that “require” is a term very loosely followed by actual hotels) Bonvoy Platinum members to be upgraded into a standard suite at the time of check in if available. For Ritz Carlton, you needed to be Titanium or higher.
While for a loyal RC guest it may have driven them to acquire Titanium over Platinum, it was also very confusing for guests, no doubt leading to a lot of frustration.
So it’s great news that Platinums are now eligible for this benefit.
Two caveats:
- Titaniums and Ambassadors still obviously have upgrade priority. More and more, especially since the addition of Platinum status to the Bonvoy Brilliant credit card, I see hotels half full of Platinums and higher. So this doesn’t mean you’ll actually ever GET that suite 😉 And of course despite terms requiring it if available, many hotels skirt the policy and you won’t know what a standard suite is (the app will show suites for sale but it doesn’t mean any are the base level suites which is all that is required by terms).
- You still won’t get lounge access (no elites do) at Ritz Carlton. These are carved out because they are exclusive spaces with significant investment by the property and with a significant upcharge. FWIW, Fairmont does the same exclusion for Platinum members where they have lounge access across Accor, but not at Fairmont, unless you are the top, top Diamond tier.
HT: Loyalty Lobby
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