Originally Posted by iflyjetz

There are a ton of lifetime status threads here but I've got time tonight so I'll post specific answers to your questions.
1. Yes; you can google it and find all details on marriott websites.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.

Here are the general requirements:
12 years in the program
At least one year at the level you obtain (silver, gold, plat)

For lifetime silver (pretty worthless status): 600 nights, 1.4 million points
Gold: 800 nights, 1.7 million points
Platinum: 1000 nights, 2.0 million points

The only way to check your lifetime points is to call Marriott. I've kept track of them since calling quite a while ago; that's why I've got a running total on my signature. I should call again sometime to double check my point totals.

I use the Marriott Premier Visa as my primary card; that gets me more than 30K points/yr which is a big help on the points side of the equation.

Gold's a pretty decent lifetime level to hit; it gives you the bulk of what is offered by being a Plat. Since you've hit Plat, you're eligible for LT Gold.