Originally Posted by
ftrichard
Yes. That's why I use the term "de-risk" to this one-off situation. I would like to hear from people who have indeed got two Lifetime Platinum years credited for one year (the 9th year) earned following the final, 10th, year of their Lifetime quest when they have spent between 0 and 49 nights in that last, 10th, year.
I know what the T&Cs say. But I also don't know anyone who has tested that successfully (ie stayed less than 50 nights in that last year yet got credited the Lifetime Platinum year) and posted here about it. I mean, after 9 years of 50+ nights, it's not a great hardship to de-risk this event and ensure the count goes over 50 in that 10th year.
I agree with you. While the T&Cs "seem" to be clear that you earn an Elligible Status year in the year you attain status as well as the subsequent year, the sentence prior gives me pause.
"The calendar year in which a Member achieves Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, or Ambassador Elite Status, as described in the prior sentence, will count as an Eligible Status Year, in addition to each subsequent year that such Member retains the benefits of Elite membership Status."
This is ambiguous! Does it mean that you retain status from earning that status in the prior year or does that mean you need to retain status organically in the sunsequent year? It can be debated either way and certainly no clear.
I don't care to debate it one way or the other but it is enough for me to disregard what seems to be "to good to be true!" Especially since, as you say, there haven't be any datapoints where an Elite who didn't qualify organically in their 10th year was granted an Elite Status year. I will de-risk too which isn't difficult when traveling a lot.
I am currently at 8 Eligible Status years, 7 Platinum or higher with 724 nights. I have already qualified for Titanium in 2022 so my Platinum years will increment in 2023 to 8. In 2023, when I achieve Platinum or higher, that will be my 9th year which will increment in 2024.
I certainly don't expect my Platinum years to increment in 2025 and be granted Lifetime Platinum status with no more stays after attaining Platinum or higher in 2023
I will attain at least Platinum in 2024 to ensure that I pass the threshold comfortably. I will either be granted Lifetime Platinum in early 2025 or in 2024 when I reach Platinum Elite Status as was the case for achieving Lifetime Silver & Lifetime Gold when the threshold was met mid-year.
James