As Marriott Concierge has stated, the buyback option has indeed returned, and it is now clearly stated that you can execute the buyback through April 1 2010.
After logging my account shows the following message:
Keep Platinum - buy back your status for reduced points until April 1. Click here.
Which will take you here:
Reinstate Your Level
As one of our valued Elite members, we understand that your travel needs vary from year to year and that occasionally you might not have the required number of stays to maintain your Elite status. But we know how important Marriott Rewards benefits are to you - so we are offering you a limited-time opportunity to buy back your status for 2010 using points that you may already have.
Here's all it takes to reinstate your level:
Points required to buy back Platinum status - 40,000 (a savings of 20,000 points)
Points required to buy back Gold status - 25,000 (a savings of 15,000 points)
Points required to buy back Silver status - 7,500 (a savings of 12,500 points)
Remember, if you don't have enough points in your account, you can always
buy up to 50,000 points every year.
This offer is valid through April 1, 2010 and allows only one level of buyback, which must match the Elite level you enjoyed in 2009.
Once your status has been reinstated, Marriott Rewards will send you a new valid membership card for your restored Elite level.
I really have to question weather or not elite status is worth the buyback. Marriott will gladly sell you 40,000 points at a cost of $500.
A member may purchase or receive as a gift a combined maximum of 50,000 points per calendar year.
• Points may be purchased in increments of 1,000
• Purchase rate is 12.50 (USD) per 1,000 points
• Points may take 24-48 hours to post to your account
Originally Posted by
Marriott Concierge
Hello everyone, sorry about the online "phantoms".
The Buyback offer has indeed returned for 2010. We had a small systems glitch and had to take the info down in order to apply the fix, but it will be back up this evening (or tomorrow -- still working through snow-closure issues at HQ). The promotion runs until April 1 so you'll have plenty of time to take advantage of the offer.
Alexander