Originally Posted by
danola
As best I can figure, I'll be seven nights short of Platinum Medallion. Is it worth it to find some cheap hotel and get to 75 nights. I will have to spend around $700 to get there, is it worth it or should I just roll over the 18 nights to next year. What extra parks do I get versus Gold. I don't anticipate that I will ever get this close again...... comments/suggestions? Thanks
Best/cheapest option is the meetings method mentioned in post #2, above. You don't need to show up or do much else.
An alternative would be if you could *quickly* apply for, receive, and activate the Chase Marriott Visa. There's an offer for 50K points upon signup floating around, plus you have 15 nights per year (including once you activate).
If you already possess said card and you can charge $3,000 or more *quickly* (needs to post on a statement that closes before year-end) to it, every $3K will get you another night. If you are willing to absorb the 2%+ fee, you could prepay taxes, etc., and if you paid $21K+, that would cover you. As it seems you spend a lot at Marriotts, you could also use a current gift card promo for 10% off + Delta miles, or 10 Marriott points per dollar, stacked with a 4% cash back from
BigCrumbs (my ref link) to load up on some credit to use early next year, place the charge on the Chase Marriott Visa, and pick up $3K+ in charges that way.