You are correct "The Challenge" still exists. I thought I would make Plat. easily in 2003, but had to take some extended time off to care for a sick relative. The short story was that I didn't call the MR line but instead responded to that "Thank you from Bill Marriott, Jr." message at the end of last year and asked for my Platinum status to be extended. Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards.

I apologize that you were unable to stay the required amount of nights in 2003 to renew your Platinum status. We had and will receive many requests such as yours and have put into place a few options to help our members keep or renew their current status.

The first option we made was that we offered the members who contacted us that we would lower the required amount of nights needed from 75 to 70 for Platinum members who fell a little short. Not all members were able to stay at least 70 nights and so this option did not work for all, but was most appreciated by many.

Secondly, if members were unable to stay a minimum of 70 nights in 2003 and their account is downgraded in February of 2004, for 50,000 points, members may buy back their Platinum status. The status would be valid for all of 2004. If members choose the buy back offer, it would be a final, non-reversible action and the points would not be able to be given back. This option is only available after the account is actually downgraded in our system in February of 2004.

Thirdly, as you know, the Platinum level requires 75 nights per year. This means that Platinum level members stay an average of 18 nights every 3 months. If your account is downgraded in 2004, due to your past achievement of the Platinum status, we can make an exception and only require your account to have 18 Elite nights within a 3 month period in 2004, instead of the required 75 nights in the 2004 calendar year, to renew your Platinum status.

We would like to thank you for your loyalty to Marriott and hope that one of these exceptions will help you continue to be a Platinum member even though you were not able to renew the Platinum level with the set forth requirements.

Sincerely,
Marriott Rewards

Needless to say I chose option number three and am working on night number 25 as I write this. Their follow up response noted that they saw all of my future reservations and would keep an eye on my status so it wouldn't downgrade when it normally would. Also, I recieved new Plat. credentials a few weeks ago.

Hope this helps someone.