Is it possible that this is a new thing this year?

So...you are a new Gold qualifying in 2005, you get a luggage tag after you complete the qualifying stay.

Then the rest of us who were already Gold will get it later...

Just an idea... I have lots of luggage tags from various airlines and even Hertz (of all people...). It doesn't really matter to me whether Marriott sends me one.

Maybe they picked an obnoxious color in order to make the tag easily visible on a black bag on the luggage carousel?