Platinum Challange: I just called MR and got on a Platinum Challange since IM Gold at this time since I have not traveled allot lately but IM going to be traveling allot for the next 3 months. So what is the normal Platinum Challange? IM Gold with 250 Night Stays right now.
Platinum Challenges are in theory "once in a lifetime." So consider if you want to get platinum this year. Also, are your 250 nights this year? You should already be platinum.
The actual challenge you are looking for is stay 18 nights in a 3 months.
Platinum Challenges are in theory "once in a lifetime." So consider if you want to get platinum this year. Also, are your 250 nights this year? You should already be platinum.
The actual challenge you are looking for is stay 18 nights in a 3 months.
So a Platinum Challange is "Once in a Lifetime" I want to get Platinum as fast as possible, I have not traveled much in the last 5 years but have maintained Gold by giving up 25K point each year, I was Platinum way back. I was offered the 18 Night Stays in 3 Months for the Challange. I have 250 night total lifetime which isnt much, but since IM going to traveling allot for the next year I figured Platinum would not be a bad option.
Programs: CO Plat, UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - Plat, SPG - Gold
Posts: 2,455
Quote:
Originally Posted by justus1900
So a Platinum Challange is "Once in a Lifetime" I want to get Platinum as fast as possible, I have not traveled much in the last 5 years but have maintained Gold by giving up 25K point each year, I was Platinum way back. I was offered the 18 Night Stays in 3 Months for the Challange. I have 250 night total lifetime which isnt much, but since IM going to traveling allot for the next year I figured Platinum would not be a bad option.
There's differing reports about whether the challenge is once in a lifetime. Normally status matches or comps are once in a lifetime, challenges usually once per 12 months. But like I said there are different reports out there. Try searching for challenge and you will see all the threads.
i had a challenge 16 years ago. no status now. i wonder if i can do another challenge.
Did they even have the Marriott Rewards program 16 years ago? I thought they changed the name to Marriott Rewards from the previous Marriott frequent stay program (I can't remember the name) in the late 90's or early 2000's.
I was Gold, and on a whim was calling MR for something unrelated and casually said, "Hey, can I have Platinum instead of Gold?"
I was informed they would enroll me in the challenge of 18 stays by Nov 30 and I'll have Platinum until 2013. In addition I was given Platinum within 2 hours during the duration of my challenge.
You may attempt the challenge on an annual basis per the MR agent. Call now and you'll get the remainder of August in addition to Sep-Nov to complete.
Damn shame I had 2 stays 3 nights before I called... They will not backdate at all.
FYI - called Marriott Rewards yesterday to inquire about a status match or platinum challenge. CSR said she had to ask a supervisor. Placed on hold while CSR talked to supervisor. CSR came back and told me such a program didn't exist.
Called back today and asked to be enrolled in a Platinum Challenge. CSR typed away for about 10 seconds and then told me I was enrolled. Don't see any indication on my account yet, but hopefully I'm enrolled. Should be able to do the 18 nights pretty easily.
Edit: My account was updated to Platinum status within a day or two and I have until Dec 31 to complete 18 nights to keep it.
Programs: UACO 1K,HHonors Diamond, PC Plat, SPG Plat, MR Gold
Posts: 453
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrEzE
FYI - called Marriott Rewards yesterday to inquire about a status match or platinum challenge. CSR said she had to ask a supervisor. Placed on hold while CSR talked to supervisor. CSR came back and told me such a program didn't exist.
Called back today and asked to be enrolled in a Platinum Challenge. CSR typed away for about 10 seconds and then told me I was enrolled. Don't see any indication on my account yet, but hopefully I'm enrolled. Should be able to do the 18 nights pretty easily.
I tried calling for it last week... was told it doesn't exist. Sent an email. Got response it doesn't exist but if I faxed or emailed statements showing my status with competing properties they may consider it. Sent screenshots of my HH diamond info, PC platinum and SPG gold and they replied with the Gold challenge. Not sure why they chose the gold vs a platinum challenge (apparently my 80+ nights ytd in 2011 wasn't sufficient to warrant platinum challenge)
The more I look to book rooms though the more I realize the marriott properties are consistently priced too high.. Work for a govt contractor and HHonors offers the govt contractor rates at most properties, whereas, Marriott is almost ALWAYS 10-20% higher on AAA and std rates then locally competing HHonor properties and does not offer a govt contractor rate and govt rate specifically excludes the govt contractors.
Throw in the fact the PC properties nearby are ALWAYS significantly lower and just not sure I'll be able to justify seeing the challenge through and going this direction.
Please realize that Marriott Platinum is fine for business--Monday-Friday stays--however for others the benefits aren't really worth it. I'm currently Platinum with Marriott--however I have no intention on re-qualifying--will accept Gold when my Platinum status expires on 2/12. Hyatt/Starwood/Hilton more suited to leisure travellers. Just my opinion--best of luck to all.
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, UA 2P, CO Silv, US Gold, WN A-List, MR/SPG/PC Plat, HH Gold, Nat ExecElite
Posts: 25,575
It seems like the current variant of MR came into being in the late 1990's. I remember one or two stays early in my travel life in something called "Marriott Marquis" (I think). But I know by the time I was using Execustay regularly (1997), I was earning MR points.
They hadn't yet formalized the 2.5 pts/$ or the 0.33 EQN for Execustay, but I seem to recall that we were comped a flat Gold status and given something like 5,000 pts/month as part of our specific contract. We were using them for about 20 units in a high-cost city...they were something like $2,200 per apartment...so almost in line with today's earning level.
Programs: AA Plat/1MM; Marriott/LoewsFirst/PC/SPG Plat; Hilton Silver
Posts: 7,637
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinniped
It seems like the current variant of MR came into being in the late 1990's.
I think your are correct. Before this time, Marriott had one program from their FS hotels (Marriott Honored Guest) and different programs for their non-FS hotels (FFI Club, CY Club, maybe others as well.) In the late 90's I think they consolidated all their various programs into one company wide program. At the time I had lifetime CY Club Gold membership and they used to send me free breakfast and free suite upgrade coupons all the time.
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"Those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know" The Sayings of Lao-Tzu
Programs: AS Gold75k, Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 83
I started a Platinum Challenge a few days ago on the 4th, the day I checked in for a 9-night stay. At check-in, the desk indicated I did not show as Platinum but when I explained I was on a challenge that started that day I was given lounge access. I finally had time to check my on-line profile today and it still shows me as a Silver.
My question, for someone who has had a challenge recently, did your profile show you as Platinum during your challenge? I just need to know whether I need to call in because something has gone haywire.