Last edit by: mediator
Taste of Gold/Platinum
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
"Taste of Gold/Platinum" promotion and Platinum challenge [Merged threads]
#1591
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 940
So having been denied twice on the UK number I called the US number and got offered the 9 stay challenge. Excellent!
#1592
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Yes, I was wondering if that is why you were having an issue. They did ask some questions, but were very helpful. Now I just need to hope that there are enough marriotts in the locations I will be travelling to in order to meet the challenge and alleviate the need for a mattress run.
#1593
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
How to maximize value during marriot challenge
Signed up for the marriott challenge and I have an upcoming trip where I wish to maximize my rewards earning potential. I am paying using a chase freedom card (getting another CC is not an option). Is there any benefit to going through the Chase UR site to book the reservation? I know stays booked via third party websites do not count as they want you to book directly through marriott but I didn't know if that would be applicable to the UR portal given Chase's connection to marriott card.
There is currently a deal where you can get united miles for buying marriott gift cards. If I were to do this and then paid for my stays with these cards would I still get credit for my stays as well as MR points?
There is currently a deal where you can get united miles for buying marriott gift cards. If I were to do this and then paid for my stays with these cards would I still get credit for my stays as well as MR points?
#1595
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
I am in same situation. Decided would rather save money, and purchased $600 of Marriott Gift Cards with the 10% Amtrak bonus.
Would rather have $60 in the wallet instead of the 2,500 United points.
Purchased the Gift cards with the 2% cash back Barclays card. Then booked the rooms with Ebates to get 2.5% cashback. So all in, 14.5% off room rate, before AAA discount.
Would rather have $60 in the wallet instead of the 2,500 United points.
Purchased the Gift cards with the 2% cash back Barclays card. Then booked the rooms with Ebates to get 2.5% cashback. So all in, 14.5% off room rate, before AAA discount.
#1596
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Just got off the phone. Enrolled in Platinum.
Told the lady my story, I have 9 nights this year with Marriott, I am Silver, almost gold with Hilton, and platinum with Accor. She stated "based on the information provided, I can make the exception and enroll you in the platinum challenge, your status will be updated tomorrow.
Need 9 stays by Nov 30th... I have a number of trips coming up, so should have 4 in next few weeks, rest by end of Sept.
Woot woot, thanks guys!
Told the lady my story, I have 9 nights this year with Marriott, I am Silver, almost gold with Hilton, and platinum with Accor. She stated "based on the information provided, I can make the exception and enroll you in the platinum challenge, your status will be updated tomorrow.
Need 9 stays by Nov 30th... I have a number of trips coming up, so should have 4 in next few weeks, rest by end of Sept.
Woot woot, thanks guys!
Got the United Silver 2 days later. woot woot.
#1597
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 123
Probably a dumb question, but I am Platinum now because of the Platinum Challenge I did last year.. On paper, I will barely make Gold at the end of this year.. Can I do a Platinum Challenge again this year for status next year?
#1598
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 10,980
Nope. You need to first wait until your status drop back to normal. Then you can ask for Plat challenge again.
#1599
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 10,980
#1600
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
#1601
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, CX Gold (OW Sapphire), Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,476
Despite explaining that the reason I had a low night count was because I am a Hilton Gold, she didn't buy it. Gave up after being bored with going round in circular arguments. Will now try the US line.
Edit: US line sorted me out. Excellent customer services and make me wonder why I even bothered with the UK number. Went for the Taste of Gold - Platinum was an unlikely target, so went with something closer to what I could get.
Last edited by Jordan D; Aug 13, 2013 at 11:35 am Reason: Updated information
#1602
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 48
Marriotts Platinum Challenge
A quick question, is a ritz-carlton stay also qualified to fulfill the platinum challenge? Many thanks.
#1603
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
#1604
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 48
#1605
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 10,980