Apr 27, 2016, 10:15 am
Last edit by: mediator
Taste of Gold/Platinum
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
"Taste of Gold/Platinum" promotion and Platinum challenge [Merged threads]
Sep 4, 2013, 4:33 am
#1681
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Europe
Programs: AY Gold, A3 Gold, UA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 482
I don't completely agree, you only get the perks when you are at a hotel, so if someone doesn't stay at Marriott there is no extra cost for giving them status. They are not there to use the lounge nor they could pass their membership onto someone else so they could use the perks - so what's the big deal.
Sep 4, 2013, 7:36 am
#1682
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I also wonder if feedback from property owners (who in many ways are MHI's customers/clients) who were watching swelling elite ranks had any sway-- after all, those welcome points for Plats and the new weekend breakfasts (or points in lieu of breakfast), as marginal as they may be, do add to the property owners' costs.
Sep 4, 2013, 7:48 am
#1683
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
A friend reported they were not able to offer any sort of challenge for any status. They agent apparently said they have discontinued all challenges until further notice. So targeted offers and special exceptions notwithstanding there is no challenge of any sort available at the moment.
Sep 4, 2013, 9:25 am
#1684
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
However, in this case, Marriott was offering something that lasted for a quarter of a year, could be timed with ease, and could be renewed annually. Also, hotel stays are easier to plan because they are changed/cancelled with no penalties (whereas you generally have to be more serious and planned regarding flights).
As a result, it was too easy to just invoke the instant status right when you needed it most (even if that period of intensity wouldn't be enough to extend it), use the perks, and throw it away. I advised several people to do that in recent months, and they did it with success. Lots of upgrades, free breakfasts, and the like. One family was able to flood the lounge with friends at a wedding without being caught, and as they aren't seasoned travelers, they didn't recognize how rude their actions were.
As for transferring perks.... by the book, you're correct, but in practice, it's extremely easy to do. If you have a friend with Platinum, it takes very little effort to stay under their account even if they're not around.
Sep 4, 2013, 3:07 pm
#1685
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
Marriott rewards elite challenge hasn't been discontinued, the only change is that you won't get status until you are done with your challenge.
Sep 4, 2013, 3:23 pm
#1686
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Miami BCH., FLorida
Programs: AA:EXP, GLD:A.Argen., Etihad; Turk SIL:UA, VS; HOT.GLD:ClubC, Loews, SPG; PL:Ritz, Hil, IHG, BtW., R
Posts: 261
You are right... where is the loss for Marriott even is someone doesnt do 9 stays in 3 months...? Maybe he/she does only 4 stays, even as Platinum... he/she pays for her/his 4 stays, so Marriott still makes money... I agree its not much, not the big bucks, but still something.... I dont see the point... would they rather have no such income?
Last edited by bdschobel; Sep 6, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Sep 4, 2013, 3:43 pm
#1687
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA, IAD, BWI
Programs: National Parks Annual Pass
Posts: 316
I do think that offering the status upfront and allowing a challenge every year is a bit of a loophole.
But suspending it completely does make it a bit harder to switch. I want to move from Hilton to Marriott, in good faith, mainly because of the recent massive Hilton devaluation. But it makes it hard(er) when you have to give up the benefits (breakfast) for the duration of the challenge.
But suspending it completely does make it a bit harder to switch. I want to move from Hilton to Marriott, in good faith, mainly because of the recent massive Hilton devaluation. But it makes it hard(er) when you have to give up the benefits (breakfast) for the duration of the challenge.
Sep 4, 2013, 4:55 pm
#1688
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I do think that offering the status upfront and allowing a challenge every year is a bit of a loophole.
But suspending it completely does make it a bit harder to switch. I want to move from Hilton to Marriott, in good faith, mainly because of the recent massive Hilton devaluation. But it makes it hard(er) when you have to give up the benefits (breakfast) for the duration of the challenge.
But suspending it completely does make it a bit harder to switch. I want to move from Hilton to Marriott, in good faith, mainly because of the recent massive Hilton devaluation. But it makes it hard(er) when you have to give up the benefits (breakfast) for the duration of the challenge.
Sep 4, 2013, 5:07 pm
#1689
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
I'm doing the challenge now, although I took it with the intention of completing it and I will finish it tomorrow. Marriott got their money's worth from me, but I think a good compromise would be to award the status during the challenge but only after the first four stays are completed. That way you get rid of the people who sign up for it just for their short vacation, but don't end up turning away people who will put stays in during the long run. I am also doing the four night Hilton challenge and I can tell you that it's tough for me to bring myself to complete, because of the no status I'd rather be at Marriott.
Sep 4, 2013, 8:01 pm
#1690
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
When I called, they looked up my account and saw several upcoming reservations (missing one), which helped.
I got a very nice suite upgrade at the final stay, too.
Sep 4, 2013, 8:04 pm
#1691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
This was a number of years ago; Hyatt had just started Platinum Passport, and offered status to anybody with elite status in another program (hotel or airline). I faxed them my Marriott Gold card, and got Hyatt Platinum. Hyatt sent out coupons (remember paper?), one of which was for a United upgrade and status. I used that; United then sent coupon booklets to its status holders, one of which was for a suite upgrade at a Sheraton.
Sep 5, 2013, 2:33 am
#1692
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Programs: Accor Platinium,IHG GOLD, HILTON GOLD, MARRIOTT GOLD
Posts: 12
Dear Mr XXX,
Greetings from Guangzhou Marriott Rewards.
According your stay record, we glad to offer a “Gold elite”Challenge promotion to you, details as below:
Challenge period: Current month, plus 3 additional months
Participation can only be offered once a year beginning from the end date of first challenge period
This includes any promotional offers
Members must stay required nights during challenge period in order to upgrade the status:
Gold -- 12 nights
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
Thank you and have a great day!
Thanks & Best Regards,
Marriott Rewards Team.
Greetings from Guangzhou Marriott Rewards.
According your stay record, we glad to offer a “Gold elite”Challenge promotion to you, details as below:
Challenge period: Current month, plus 3 additional months
Participation can only be offered once a year beginning from the end date of first challenge period
This includes any promotional offers
Members must stay required nights during challenge period in order to upgrade the status:
Gold -- 12 nights
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
Thank you and have a great day!
Thanks & Best Regards,
Marriott Rewards Team.
Sep 5, 2013, 9:04 am
#1693
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
You are right... where is the loss for Marriott even is someone doesnt do 9 stays in 3 months...? Maybe he/she does only 4 stays, even as Platinum... he/she pays for her/his 4 stays, so Marriott still makes money... I agree its not much, not the big bucks, but still something....
Sep 5, 2013, 9:11 am
#1694
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Europe
Programs: AY Gold, A3 Gold, UA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 482
Sep 5, 2013, 11:27 am
#1695
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 36
As stated earlier, it looks like the Gold/Platinum Challenges are officially back at Marriott, and under the same terms as before, except you don't get the status until you meet the stay requirement. .. at least that is what CS just told me.