Ah now I called Marriott CS last week about this very issue and they said the status calendar year ends 31st December, then cut off date of 31st January to gather in any outstanding stays then 1st February is the start of the new status year. I have another promotion on my account which she said was part of an annual promotion given to all elite status holders to enable them to fulfill any gaps in that status year i.e. up to and including 31st December. She made it very clear to me that I needed to fulfill the night requirement this December if I wanted to keep my Titanium status (75 nights) or drop down to Platinum if I had completed 50 nights. There was no mention of a soft landing. Doesn't mean there isn't one of course or maybe she got it wrong but have to agree with margarita girl things are changing at Marriott so, who knows, but who wants to find out the hard way?.