Originally Posted by PA Pilot

So I finally got around to calling Marriott and it was confirmed by the person I spoke with that the points used to buy back status are deducted from your current balance as well as your lifetime balance. Her words were, "It is treated as if you never earned those points." Just an FYI for those who weren't aware.

For me, I could buy 40,000K points to keep my status for $500. If I were to spend that same $500 points at a hotel it would yield 5,000 points. For the same $500 to maintain Plat status I will more than earn that potential 5,000 points in the 50% platinum bonus I would earn over the year. Plus, by buying the points I don't go backwards at all towards my lifetime platinum status pursuit. I'm currently 70 nights and 210,000 points away from qualification.