Diamond to Gold
Sep 13, 2017, 11:49 am
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
NO, if one uses a match/challenge to get Gold, the requirements for Platinum are unchanged, 25 stays or 50 nights at SPG. It's not the case that you just need the incremental number of stays/nights.
Sep 13, 2017, 1:41 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,555
Worthwhile to ask since some programs are a bit looser on comps to their low tier than they are their high tier. Or have programmatic ways to get the low tier straight out of the box with a premium credit card.
Without that, doing two challenges can't really speed things up for you...unless you know some of nights 10 through 18 are going to be in places where finding a Starwood might be tough.
Sep 13, 2017, 2:04 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,096
My thought was that if one could get the SPG Gold comp, instantly match to Marriott Gold, sign up for the Marriott Plat challenge, do a quick 9 nights, match back to SPG Plat. Would work for someone who regularly does 1-nighters or is in a city where doing some hotel hopping is feasible.
The OP says he can meet the 18 nights in 90 days, so for him he probably doesn't have to try & jump through too many hoops.
Cheers.
Sep 13, 2017, 2:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Any current credit cards that give SPG Gold out of the box?
My original forays into SPG Gold were, I think, an Amex one year and then some airline status another year. I suspect the airline status was a one-time thing back when hotel programs were still small and growing, but I wonder if there's still an Amex path to Gold. (Other than spending $30k on the SPG Amex.)
My original forays into SPG Gold were, I think, an Amex one year and then some airline status another year. I suspect the airline status was a one-time thing back when hotel programs were still small and growing, but I wonder if there's still an Amex path to Gold. (Other than spending $30k on the SPG Amex.)
Sep 13, 2017, 6:05 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
I had no Marriott status last October. I applied for Ritz Carlton card and was instantly upgraded to RC/Marriott Gold. Called and asked for platinum challenge and then stayed 18 nights in a mix of RC/Marriott properties throughout December. Am RC/Marriott Platinum this year.
Sep 13, 2017, 7:38 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 285
I had no Marriott status last October. I applied for Ritz Carlton card and was instantly upgraded to RC/Marriott Gold. Called and asked for platinum challenge and then stayed 18 nights in a mix of RC/Marriott properties throughout December. Am RC/Marriott Platinum this year.
Sep 13, 2017, 10:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 334
Sep 20, 2017, 2:41 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,555
My understanding is that you can only earn 1 EQN per night.
Points for up to 3 rooms, definitely yes.
Elite benefits for all rooms, not guaranteed but often yes.
Separate EQN/EQS for each room, generally no.
Points for up to 3 rooms, definitely yes.
Elite benefits for all rooms, not guaranteed but often yes.
Separate EQN/EQS for each room, generally no.
Sep 20, 2017, 9:31 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 334
was referring to the SPG challenge where up to 3 room will be counted for the challenge
Sep 20, 2017, 10:26 pm
#25
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Also United Gold and higher gets you Marriott Gold
Sep 21, 2017, 7:32 am
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,555
OK. I've never done an SPG challenge, so if they have more generous rules for the challenge than for their regular elite qualifying, that's great. I'd want to make sure I was 100% certain on the fine print before I booked all those rooms solely for the purpose of the challenge.
Sep 22, 2017, 5:23 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 334
OK. I've never done an SPG challenge, so if they have more generous rules for the challenge than for their regular elite qualifying, that's great. I'd want to make sure I was 100% certain on the fine print before I booked all those rooms solely for the purpose of the challenge.