Hello to the forum!

I am a lowly Marriott Gold member, but am piling up stays this year, so stopped by the forum to read up a bit. I will be calling for a platinum challenge shortly (thanks for the tips), but I have another question I haven't seen addressed in forum (I've read a few pages back, searched, etc.)

I will be coming to Chicago very regularly for the rest of this calendar year, at least. Probably at least 40 nights in the next 6 months. Not as many as some, I know, but more regular and frequent than I have ever been before (I tend to be one night here, two there)

I have heard from other frequent travelers with whom I cross paths that when you stay at one property enough, and on a regular basis like this is going to be, you can guarantee the hotel your stays in return for a negotiated stronger rate with the hotel.

I called sales at the Chicago mag mile Marriott and while they didn't laugh at me, they were not any help. Using the forum information, I figured out what the email address for the GM is and emailed. Heard nothing for 3 or 4 days.

Question for the forum...can this be done? Am I barking up the wrong tree? Do I need to go stay there and ask personally? I have never done this before and am not sure how to handle so thought I would ask the experts!

Thanks for any help, and I look forward to contributing on the forums!

WJS3