Originally Posted by
hhoope01
In general, this tends to be mostly a view thread with questions being asked in their own threads. But don't worry, it isn't an issue that you asked here. We can still answer.
1. Probably. I usually don't think the buy-back option is worth the cost, but everyone has different needs/likes. But I think you would be eligible for the buy-back, assuming they offer it of course.
2. Marriott would not add 50 nights to your account to get you to Gold. They would just make you Gold. IOW, you would need 75 more nights to get to Platinum status (not 25 nights.)
3. Is it worth extra time/money to get Platinum over Gold? I do think that Platinum is better than Gold, but it tends to be more "incremental". I wouldn't pay much extra to get Plat over Gold, but that is my preference. Gold's get upgrades and lounge access just like Plats do. Plats get more bonus points and some better guarantees.
4. I do believe you are correct. You would get the status for the rest of the year you achieved it and all the following year.
Thanks for the support mate
.
My thoughts...
#1 Right now, I wouldn't qualify or rather, don't need a status buyback right?
Reason: As I still have my Gold status and this expires only in Feb 2017. Technically, buy-back for me would be required once (and if) my Gold status expires in Feb 2017. Please correct me if wrong on this point.
Completely agree with you on #2 and #4. Thanks for the confirmation ^
#3 This might be a long story, advance apologies
.
Scenario#1 : No Platinum .. stick to Gold
Let's say I do not try for
Platinum upgrade. Since my current
Gold status expires next Feb and also because I do not have much travel/stay on my calendar this year, most probably, I would get a soft-landing/status-downgrade to
Silver next Feb/Mar
.
And I don't think I would have such a heavy travel season in 2017 that I would be staying 75 nights (not in my hands and I can't predict it). So, my options would be to either Buy-back my Gold status using 25k points (which I do have), which would be lost in the transaction
(or) be content with the Silver status. And the Gold status, I guess, is valid till Feb 2018.
Worst case, I would either have Gold or Silver status (<- relatively minimal benefits 
).
Scenario#2 : Try for Platinum and go for it 
Now, on the other hand, let's say I pursue 'taste of / road to Platinum'
(9 stays in 90 days) and somehow manage to get it done after June 2016. Per other members, that would get my Platinum status for the rest of 2016 plus 2017, maybe even till 2018 (per certain members). My options here would be to buy-back Platinum status with 40k points (or) stay content with the Gold downgrade.
Either ways, I still get to have at least Gold or Platinum for the next 3 years (rough estimate).
Your thoughts on this plan?
Thanks,
Monk