Originally Posted by
runningformqm
you could get the chase ritz credit card, which is rumored to come with the new plat status (at least for now)
According to
here, Ritz cardholders are only going to get new Plat (50 night a year status) after $75K is moved across the card with an $450 annual fee.
Originally Posted by
Alohashirt
I did read the FT thread on this: There's quite a bit of bitterness and flame throwing about whether getting elite nights through meetings is somehow "cheating." I can't see how paying for meeting space out of my own pocket to host a few board meetings is "gaming the system," but it's a chance I'm willing to take. I'd rather spend money this way than putting up $450 to get Hilton Diamond status.
It is a published program benefit. Anyone who gets mad over the "meeting loophole" is missing the point. It's like getting mad at the guy who bought 1.2 million air miles for a hair over $3,000 back in 1999, people who get mad about him are missing the point. If a program provides a cheap path to elite qualification or earnings, it's unsurprising that people will take advantage of it.
That being said, the word is rewarding events is remaining the same through August 1st, and may change after (rumors [unverified!] are that the first meeting may award 10 nights in a given year, and then only one elite night per meeting thereafter within a program year]). So if you intend to do so, be aware that it may not work out post Aug 2018. Of course, since the rumors are unverified, rewarding events may stay exactly the same.
With the SPG nights credit for up to 3 rooms at a time gone, and MR rollover nights counting twice gone + $3K spend/1 night getting sketchy (I suspect chase will eventually forcibly convert existing cardholders, not immediately), and the need for points for lifetime qualification gone, I strongly suspect rewarding events night bonuses will be changed before 2019 program year hits. Again though, rumors and speculation...