Here is what I would do based on the information provided. I would get to Hilton Diamond via Stay credit (28 stays needed) and would do this by hotel hopping.

Lets see 6 months at 4 weeks per month is 24 weeks roughly. It is also 72 total nights. Since you need 38 more nights for the next level at marriott that leaves you about 34 nights to get 28 stays at the Hampton Inn for Diamond status.

A likely scenario for me would be to stay at the HI on M/W evenings for the first 13 weeks and that is 26 stays plus the four nights you have (hoping that is over two stays at least) would give you your 28 stays and Diamond status which will help when it comes reward time.

I assume you have 12 nites to date at Marriott Properties this year based on your post. The M/W Hampton method also would give you 13 more Marriott nights (13 Tuesdays) during first 13 weeks leaving you 25 short of the next level as you stated earlier. From my math (someone should double check this) the last 11 weeks would net you 33 more nights at the FI or a grand total of 58 total nights which entitles you to Marriott Gold elite status and leaves you 17 short of Plat in case your project is extended or you get on another project with similar travel or just in personal travel. FYI Marriott does not qualify you for status on stays, just total nights.

Also don't forget to sign up at the Marriott for the AAA promo (which I don't think you will qualify for unless you have some F,S@, or Su stays) and the Marriott Silver program where 3 stays gets you a free weekend in cat 1 -4 hotels.

That is what I would do; but then again, I don't mind changing hotels.

Edited for math

[This message has been edited by TrojanHorse (edited 05-10-2002).]