I can't believe you'd change the USA Today plan and not make the internet free like it is at a Motel6. You've got bad info as this thread says ... listen to your customers, and keep them happy. We all know the papers are free as they need the distribution to get the ad rates. In addition, newspapers are made of recycled paper -- they don't cost you a tree either. Back to the drawing board on this stupid idea -- I want my morning paper.

Wake up Bill you are just being a cheap old man. I think this is a cop out and you are down grading your hotels it is a shame you allready charge at a few hotels to use the internet but now you will make us request to get the USA Today. I heard Hilton is keeping its USA Today program I will book with them from now on.

I've been a loyal Marriott customer for over 20 years because I've always felt the brand did the best job of putting customers first, but this decision is obviously more about green, as in money, than saving the planet. Getting USA Today at my door is one of the simple pleasures I enjoy when traveling. I updated my Rewards profile to request USA Today as sugggested with this new program, but I did not get a paper this morning. My next trip will be booked with Hilton.

While I prefer a newspaper a bit more substantial than USA Today, providing the option at check-in to receive or decline a paper delivery is good for the environment along with being good business sense. Going to on-line only doesn't help those of us that like to read a real newspaper at breakfast.

Good move, Mr. Marriott! For two reasons. One is that, as a professional communicator, I tend to prefer my news in meatier form (WSJ, NYT, WashPost) or the local press (Austin American Statesman). USA Today has always been sorta dumbed down for my taste.
But, I agree. We're all weaning ourselves from print -- particularly while on the road. I love the idea of having the choice.
BTW -- avid Marriott fan & rewards mbr. Love your people and your business model. Just tonight found your Blog. Great work!

I still want my paper and appreciate the option at a Marriott. But WHY not have the option for delivery at a Courtyard? I'm still paying $139+/night and I can't get the paper that you probably pay 25 cents for? You have a guy that delivers the check out bills and he can't drop the paper at the same time? just cheap!

Mr Marriot,
Speaking as visitors from the UK, who have enjoyed several stays at various Marriot establishments, I appreciate your comments concerning the delivery of newspapers. With respect sir, I would suggest that guests are asked their preference (delivery/no delivery, which publication) This way newspapers are not wasted, late risers could still look forward to the paper being there whenever they awake and guests are not being inconvenienced by having to go down to find a newspaper. Part of the vacation pleasure is not having to move from bed until ready.

I want to get USA TODAY at my door when I stay at Marriott, and dont want to have to ask for it. There are very few perks left when staying at a hotel these days, and being able to read the paper quietly in my room before I get dressed is a luxury I have come to expect at Marriott.

I understand why you are making the change, but disagree with your mention of offering USA Today's web link as a way to give guests access to news online. You would be doing your business guests a much bigger service if you would offer guests WSJ.com - a much better source for serious news.

I am totaly stunned by this news I have always loved my USA Today in the morning when I wake up with my breakfast. Now I will have to ask for it what the **** I want my paper by my front door I dont want to ask for it. I hate that some of these hotels allready charge me to use internet you guys need to wake up...

This sucks I will no longer chose to stay here 1st this is one reason why I chose Marriott is because I can have my USA Today every morning just like at home. I cant believe you would cut back and be so cheap when you get such a deal on the paper anyway. Hilton here I come!!!!!

We all should have seen this coming. Asking is a great idea. I love the morning paper - but as someone who works at a (competing) hotel, it is galling to see the waste (in yes, money - but also trees) due to 1/2 the papers just left by guests in the hallway.
Marriott is just being smart. Reducing waste on two fronts: financial and environment.

waters should not be $3.50

The majority of you people are spoiled brats who are unadaptive to change. You can still have your newspapers. Read the new plan again - you can still choose to have a newspaper delivered to your door! I am so glad I do not work in the hotel industry and have to listen to all the petty warbling about I'm platinum this and I'm Gold that. Me me me me me.

Dear Sir: I stayed at a the Marriott Riverwalk last week in San Antonio. Fine well run establishment. I was horrified that Internet service was not free for a room that I was paying $200 per night for. One of my colleagues who was staying at the Holiday Inn down the street was paying $99 per night with free Internet service. Why wouldn't this service just be free?

Mr. Marriott, I agree with your decision. Giving people who want a paper the choice to have one, and not delivering one by default.
I generally get my news online, but like to read the WSJ or USA Today when I'm on the road - just because I don't live in the USA and it is a bit of a novelty.
It looks like several of your commenters would like the paper delivered to their rooms.
I've noticed that there are papers available in the lobby when you have not been delivering them (I think some of this policy started some time ago!) and when they were delivered, there were generally no papers in the lobby.
To the one or more commenters that were talking about how it is hypocritical to be green and use LCD panels and the like - remember that life is a balance. One saves energy and resources where they can, but a hotel is a business. I'm sure they could save a lot of energy if people were in sleeping bags on the grass - and if these people really wanted to save energy, they would stay home - but there are certain things people expect when they stay in a hotel. A balancing act needs to be done with providing services, being as green as possible, and still providing a service that people pay for. And in general, Marriott seems to be doing a commendable job of it.

I still want my paper delivered to my room. There is always time on the train or plane to read. Please don't stop.

As a PP member, I would expect that I have earned the right to get my paper AT MY DOOR every night. I should not have to wake up, get dressed, get in the elevator and go to the lobby in the hopes of getting a paper. I am sure that there will also be cuts made in the number of papers the hotels get. I can see it now, a 100 room hotel at 60% occupancy will get 25 USAT and 10 WSJ delivered and if I am not there by 6 AM they will be gone.
You could at least have considered putting them at the elevator landings.
Incidentally, NEVER have I gotten my papaer of choice, which is whatever the LOCAL paper is. Please do not spin it as saving the environment.....it is yet another cost cutting measure. As a stockholder, former associate and supposedly valued MR elite member, I am appalled.

I have been a platinum member since the Honored Guest Award Days. I have watched the changes in the Rewards program and the recent changes have been difficult for both myself and all members. Those of us who have been very loyal and dedicated members have rarely had issues with Blackout periods and did not want the program to change. I also read the papers as soon as I rise in the morning both at a Marriott property and home. Please do not omit one of our last remaining benefits

Dear Bill: Many years ago when I began my
long-term relationship with Marriott it was because of the service and attention to detail. This current move is a direct contridiction to your book on customer service--yes I actually read it! On my recent stay at a Courtyard, one of my neighbors took my USA Today every morning and there were NONE in the lobby. I don't mind buying a paper, but not to read at lunch. If the non-premium hotels are going to place papers in the lobby, please have staff insure that every guest that wants a paper gets one. Thanks/hl

if marriott was concerned about the environment, they would not have uprooted so many trees when building the jw in san antonio. by the way, this is directly above our water source: the edwards aquifer. marriott's move is completely financial, DON'T BE FOOLED

I, like you, enjoy reading a real paper newspaper, but I understand why you are doing what you are doing. Although I enjoy seeing that USA Today outside my door in the morning, I am willing to look it up on line or go to the lobby and buy a paper.
Mike Grace

As a Gold member, I still want a USA Today AND a Wall Street Journal delivered to my room. I updated my profile and I can only choose one. Make it where we can choose ALL the newpapers we want.

Please read the Blog again,Mr. Marriott is offering the service, ''we are going to ask our guests if they want a paper delivered to their rooms, and if so, which one they prefer We will still receive great service.

I WANT the paper delivered every day. I love my morning paper.