Warning: Marriott Bonvoy’s Broken System & Risky Account Cancellations
I am frequent traveler staying more than 60 nights per year at Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt. Of which, Marriott has the worst system.
BEWARE of Marriott Bonvoy program. The callous customer service does not live up to the brand image and feels like a scam.
Marriott at its discretion can cancel your account. Possible triggers can be
1. Your account does not have an email address
2. Your account has a corporate email address
3. You have booked more than one room for one night
4. Any other perceived issue.
Further, if the cancellation is not communicated to you by Marriott, you would continue to book under an invalid account with no recourse when you found out in due time.
-Shawn
IB
IBN
WARNING
WARNING: Unauthorised Charges and Zero Customer Support (1/5 Stars)
This review concerns a booking with Sonder at The Gilbert Hotel, Kensington, London (Marriott Bonvoy listing). The experience has been an absolute disaster, bordering on fraudulent, and demonstrates a complete breakdown of customer service.
The Problem:
I booked a flexible rate for August 2026. Instead of placing a temporary reservation hold (as is standard for flexible rates), Sonder immediately debited the full amount from my credit card.
The Cancellation & Refund Failure:
I cancelled the reservation via the app at the end of October (within the free cancellation window), and received official confirmation of the cancellation. Weeks later, the substantial debit has not been credited back to my account.
The Service Black Hole:
The most unacceptable aspect is the complete inability to contact anyone for assistance:
Phone: The provided UK toll-free number is unreachable from Switzerland. The standard UK landline number I was given also failed to connect.
Email: No direct customer service or hotel email address is available.
Global Line: The Marriott international freephone line is inaccessible from Switzerland.
Conclusion:
Sonder has taken a significant sum of money for a cancelled, flexible booking and has provided zero accessible channels to resolve the unauthorized charge or process the confirmed refund. This is not just poor service; it is a scam-like practice that has left a customer stranded and out of pocket. I will ensure I never use a Marriott-affiliated property worldwide again. Travellers, be warned.
KT
Karen T.
Westin Brisbane
I booked, and paid, fora tour through the marriot bonvoy website. The tour operator never showed up. After various attempts I finally got in contact with him. He said he no longer runs thois tour, and that the hotel never should have sold it to me.
I have emailed the Westin in Melbourne to follow up, and have not heard a response. VERY DISAPPOINTING!!! Do not book a tour through their website!!!
LC
Lee C.
Marriott Bonvoy New Orleans
I recently stayed in the Marriott Bonvoy in New Orleans. The hotel itself was fine, however, the customer services was atrocious. The staff in this hotel need some serious training or let go. I work in the travel, tourism and aviation industry and travel numerous times a year, this has to be the worst hotel manager I have dealt with. I checked in and received an upgrade, late check out, access to the M Club and $30 room credit. The following day I asked at check out if I could use the room credit to pay for valet parking and was told this would be fine. When we were checking out a few days later we were told that valet parking was a different company and the room credit could only be used for food and beverage. This would have been fine had we have been given the correct information, we ate in the hotel and could have used the credit for that, however, we paid for the meal. We asked to speak to the manager and when she arrived was so rude and dismissive. She snatched the bill out of my wife’s hand started to walk off and my wife followed her. She turned and told my wife to stop following her. We explained that if we had been given the correct information we would have paid for the meal with the credit, why would we not have used it. The manager was insistent that she would not do anything about it. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone, over the 5 days we stayed in the hotel we met several people that complained about rude staff and poor customer service. Do not stay here, it will ruin your trip, there are plenty of other hotels in the same location, try them, we have and we will return to them and not use Marriott Bonvoy again in New Orleans.
BR
Bridgitt
Marriott does not fulfill their promotion promises!
I complete an application for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card through Chase. The Marriott website had a promotion that if I completed the application for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card I would receive $400 e-gift card. Unfortunately, I never received the e-gift card. When I called Marriot customer service phone number, the representatives were rude and unhelpful. They insisted that Chase issues the e-gift card. When I called Chase, Chase insisted Marriott issues the -gift card. No one wants to issue the gift card, but both agency agrees I should have received it. What is a customer suppose to do? Neither company wants to take responsible for the e-gift card, but I have a bill. This is a classic example how big business treats their customers. The lack of caring and problem solving on the behalf of a customer is non-existence. This was the switch and bait tactic that big businesses have been using for years to take advantage of their customers. I expect this from Chase but not Marriott. Marriott needs to live up to their promotion and pay for the room I booked and issue the remaining balance of the gift card.
CH
Chris H.
My stay was excellent; great receptionist, too.
My stay was excellent. This was in Milton Keynes and I was checked into the hotel my Medina who could not have a better job; she was incredibly happy/friendly and her assistance and personable personality were what we wished every hotel reception would provide. The room was very clean and exactly what this doctor needed.
AS
Adam S.
DECEIVING AND UNTRUSTING
DECEIVING - UNTRUSTWORTHY
Called to book a stay using points. Was told additional payment was required. Im based in Melbourne, and booked a melbourne stay. Advised it was $212 and $322 was taken out as payment. Officer apologised and said opps its US not AUD. I asked for this to be cancelled and refunded. Was advised it will be refunded within 5 business days. Turns out the officer made me buy additional points (which i had no knowledge about) and therefore is now unrefundable. They scam you in the most deceitful way possible. Illegal to say the least. Reached out numerous times and yet to receive my refund. Had the general manager get involved and without hesitation although he did help to get me clarification, proceeded to wipe his hands clean to say out of my hands. Nothing to do with us…
DO NOT TRUST !!!
MI
Miranda
Just Don't!
Do not, I repeat, do NOT book with Marriott Bonvoy! I booked a hotel stay in one of their properties & six days before I was supposed to check in, they sent me an email canceling my reservation. I reserved my hotel in April for a stay in October & with basically no notice or explanation, they canceled & left me scrambling to find a place to stay. When they did respond, the reason was a "booking complication". When pressed, they said they overbooked. Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE!