Bad system — annoying

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for coming here! 

The Marriott redemption system is so annoying…

I mean it has been my favorite reward system since day 1. I accumulated status and points on the platform.

However, when I tried to redeem the points, the system was driving me crazy.

First of all, trying to log in was a pain. I was asked to update my password which I did. I received and put in the online verification code and, to my surprise, I was directed back to the password update screen again. This time, I would just be looping on the same screen forever. In the end, I had to reset my password to log-in, even though I knew exactly what my password was.

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Secondly, they had “.com”, “.cn”, “.uk” sites and I was directed randomly among them with no logic that made sense to me. And I had to log in again every time I was directed to one of these sites and these sites did not seem to accept the same login. One time, I was even directed to the “.uk” site after I selected the merchandize and clicked “check-out” on the “.com” site. I was asked to log in, the login did not work and I had to start all over again.

Thirdly, the redemption screen was anything but intuitive. They apparently had preferred brands that they wanted their members to redeem points with. As a result, I only saw those 4 brands when I was at the redemption site, which made me think only those 4 brands were available. Only after I clicked in and explored the sites, did I realize many more brands were available. Isn’t this misleading? At least put a “More” or “See all” button beside those brands…

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Lastly, the system reflected the updates really slowly. I updated my personal particulars, closed and re-opened the merchandize site and browsed for another 5 minutes before I tried to check-out again. And I still saw my old address reflected on the order. [Follow-up: it still showed old address when I tried again after 3 hours!!!]

As a result, I spent 1 hour plus in the early morning fighting the system but was not able to redeem 1 single point. So all my points are still left there risking expiration.

Come on, Marriott. Fix this and stay as the favorite option for travelers. Do not neglect this only because this does not directly generate membership or revenue/profit.

Till next time!

Whatever happens is the best arrangement

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for coming here!

Whatever happens is the best arrangement!

I have heard this phrase so many times. 

Very vaguely, I thought it might make sense, but definitely would be more for comforting people.

Recently, I think I might have found a way to explain it logically.

This is how balance is always restored, through frustrations.

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1. Whatever happens is the best arrangement for individuals

If people are meant for something, frustrations provide them opportunities to get stronger. 

Frustrations also provide opportunities for others to witness their determination, commitment and improved capabilities, boosting people’s confidence in them to support them till they take their places in the circle of life.

Similarly, if people are not meant for it, frustrations provide them opportunities to realize that and pursue other things that they are meant for.

Frustrations also provide opportunities for others to witness their change of course, so that the people in the original track will stop wasting resources supporting them and the people in the new track might see their potential and start investing in them.

If there is really circle of life, then frustrations put people in their places.

And being in the wrong place is probably the most pathetic cause for certain failure.

So whatever happens is the best arrangement for individuals.

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2. Whatever happens is the best arrangement for systems

For a system to last, it needs stability above all else.

To maintain stability, rules are created.

And whoever does not follow the rules gets punished, which is a major source of “Frustrations”.

These frustrations again put people in their places and in turn, maintain the stability of the systems.

Call it scarifying the few for the benefits of many.

So whatever happens is the best arrangement for systems.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Summary

We do live in harmony, where the “best arrangement” is aligned among both individuals and systems.

Till next time!