We've talked about it on this board for years that altho Marriott has the toughest requirements for status, its agents have the most leeway in giving the status to those who have fallen a few nights short.
I was given Black (now Gold) status two years in a row with 46 nights the first time and 48 the second simply by calling them and asking.

(Edited for clarity)

[This message has been edited by monitor (edited 11-14-2002).]