Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - only a few nights away from Plat for 2003, what would you do?

I'm just several nights away from requalifying for Marriott Platinum. I've fallen ill recently and have stopped travelling for a few weeks.

Is it worth it to try to requalify or would you not bother?

I'm a HAPPY Gold Elite!

Am trying to be pragmatic, rather then greedy!


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[This message has been edited by classy (edited 12-05-2002).]

We are finding ourselves in the same predicament....with just a few weeks to go our night total now stands at 65. (Hilton and Starwood promos, $25 W Times Square deals, and Marriott award nights seemed to cut into our paid stays this year.)

With 5 nights of planned business travel ahead, we knew we'd still be a few nights short of Platinum. We'll be visiting relatives for the holidays and decided to book 2 Marriott nights at about $70 each to increase our nights.

We looked into booking Marriotts close to home, but unfortunately in our area its nearly impossible to get any nights reasonably.

We have decided to take the kids down to Washington DC between Christmas and New Years, finding a nice Renaissance for $99, and will make a mini-vacation out of it.

Didn't want to chance that we'd come up with 73 or 74 nights and NOT get the Platinum for next year. The bonus points for Platinums proved to be a big incentive for us to keep status. We r4eally feel that its worth it to try and push an extra few nights to be able to retain highest tier status for 2003.

Check Marriotts near your home to see if you might hit any rates that would make it worth your while.

Marriott seems to be more generous than most at allowing people who come close to retain their status. A friend of mine had been Platinum for a number of years, then had a year when he fell short. Marriott did not downgrade him.

Bruce

I'm in almost the same boat (67 nights to date)... except that my Plat card shows an expiration of 01/04, so I'm not sure if I need to worry or not. Thoughts?

-Zombie-

Zombie, you needn't worry. I would worry next year about getting 75 nights.

I think I'm going to get my needed nights - 4, by going snowboarding.

see also:

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum11/HTML/008945.html

Do you guys have knowledge of good Marriott properties near your favorite ski / snowboarding spots?

Thanks.