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]
Jan 2, 2015, 11:26 am
#2056
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
Switching from Hilton to Marriott
Being a hilton gold member for the past 4 years, I want to switch to Marriott but don't want to start from the bottom. Is there still a matching program? I can get the Marriott Card but that only gives Silver status and 15 nights towards Gold. That sucks, is there a way to get to gold quicker so I can start my bonus points quicker too?
Jan 2, 2015, 11:38 am
#2057
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Jan 5, 2015, 2:59 pm
#2058
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NJ, Bay Area CA
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 162
I think you will retain play through 2015.
I gained plat through the challenge in the first half of 2011 and it lasted through Jan 2013 IIRC. Two soft landings and later I am currently silver as a result of the challenge almost 4 yrs ago.
My elite night count always showed something strange and would change seemingly at random.
I gained plat through the challenge in the first half of 2011 and it lasted through Jan 2013 IIRC. Two soft landings and later I am currently silver as a result of the challenge almost 4 yrs ago.
My elite night count always showed something strange and would change seemingly at random.
Jan 6, 2015, 6:30 am
#2059
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Hi All,
I completed the taste of platinum challenge in 2014 and enjoyed all the benefits this past year, I am wondering if that status holds true all through 2015 as well. My profile online still reflects I am a Platinum elite (but does not indicate when that is thru), and even shows I already have 20 nights on my 2015 Nights Detail. Can someone clear up when my status will/should end, and why it already shows I have 20 nights?
Also, I do not currently have any Marriott CCs open
Thanks!
I completed the taste of platinum challenge in 2014 and enjoyed all the benefits this past year, I am wondering if that status holds true all through 2015 as well. My profile online still reflects I am a Platinum elite (but does not indicate when that is thru), and even shows I already have 20 nights on my 2015 Nights Detail. Can someone clear up when my status will/should end, and why it already shows I have 20 nights?
Also, I do not currently have any Marriott CCs open
Thanks!
Jan 10, 2015, 8:08 pm
#2060
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: EWR/SNA/SUN
Programs: United 1K; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 499
Being a hilton gold member for the past 4 years, I want to switch to Marriott but don't want to start from the bottom. Is there still a matching program? I can get the Marriott Card but that only gives Silver status and 15 nights towards Gold. That sucks, is there a way to get to gold quicker so I can start my bonus points quicker too?
Jan 11, 2015, 3:32 am
#2061
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
Make sure you have your reservations booked before asking for a challenge as they do check your account. If they say no HUACA. Ask for the taste of gold as you get the benefits during. Road to gold you get benefits after you complete the challenge.
Jan 11, 2015, 3:36 pm
#2062
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AA Exp, Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum RA, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 318
I had customer service give me a hard time about doing a Platinum challenge. I had a lot of nights in Q4. I went from zero for the year to 55 nights. When I was around 40 nights in Marriott added a Gold promotion to my account without me requesting it. I attained Gold on nights on my own. When I requested a Platinum challenge they refused because they stated that I already had the Gold promotion. I .....ed a bit that I had never requested Gold and also attained it on my own. Begrudgingly they offered Platinum after 9 stays in 90 days.
Jan 22, 2015, 12:47 pm
#2063
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Continued Gold for a Year--Comped
A little over a year ago, Marriott presented me with a Gold challenge, which I accepted and I subsequently earned Gold through 2/15.
Today, I received a 'Welcome Back to Gold' pamphlet in the mail, giving me Gold again until 2/16, and it mentioned specifically that I didn't have the proper amount of nights/stays/points, but were doing it as a gesture to a 'valued customer'. No new card was enclosed--they directed me to a website to print a new card (which is fine, I could care less about the physical card itself).
Don't get me wrong, not complaining! The only thing I can think of is that the majority of my stays are in Hong Kong during trade fair time, and I'm paying $250+ per night X 4 nights X 5 stays per year. I pick up the occasional Marriott stay here and there, mostly when the convention I'm attending is at the Marriott.
(Yes, I am a UA 1K...I get Gold automatically, but since I had earned it through Feb 2015, I still haven't tried to link my accounts--I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I didn't know if there were any internal differences between Marriott-earned Gold and UA-earned Gold...So I've left it alone thus far).
Anyway, is this a common thing? Can I expect more years like this, should UA and Marriott dissolve the partnership?
Today, I received a 'Welcome Back to Gold' pamphlet in the mail, giving me Gold again until 2/16, and it mentioned specifically that I didn't have the proper amount of nights/stays/points, but were doing it as a gesture to a 'valued customer'. No new card was enclosed--they directed me to a website to print a new card (which is fine, I could care less about the physical card itself).
Don't get me wrong, not complaining! The only thing I can think of is that the majority of my stays are in Hong Kong during trade fair time, and I'm paying $250+ per night X 4 nights X 5 stays per year. I pick up the occasional Marriott stay here and there, mostly when the convention I'm attending is at the Marriott.
(Yes, I am a UA 1K...I get Gold automatically, but since I had earned it through Feb 2015, I still haven't tried to link my accounts--I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I didn't know if there were any internal differences between Marriott-earned Gold and UA-earned Gold...So I've left it alone thus far).
Anyway, is this a common thing? Can I expect more years like this, should UA and Marriott dissolve the partnership?
Jan 23, 2015, 2:49 am
#2064
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Yes as UA 1K your Marriott status is automatically renewed.
Jan 23, 2015, 7:09 am
#2065
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Yes, except Marriott doesn't know I'm a 1K...I've NEVER linked my accounts, due to, as mentioned above, already having Gold on my own. And I received the welcome packet this week saying, "You didn't have enough nights, but we're renewing you anyway".
...Just think it's a cool gesture, and will continue to book Marriott when I can (after Hilton).
I'm just curious if this is a common thing, and what led to them doing this nice thing for me.
...Just think it's a cool gesture, and will continue to book Marriott when I can (after Hilton).
I'm just curious if this is a common thing, and what led to them doing this nice thing for me.
Jan 23, 2015, 8:58 am
#2066
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Who knows why they did it? But Marriott doesn't distinguish between Gold from Marriott or UA, so there's no reason not to link your UA account in the future. They're not normally nice 2 years in a row.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 23, 2015, 9:26 am
#2067
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
For brevity, I left out the long, gory details. I've TRIED to link them--but gave up because it didn't matter. UA and Marriott auto-tied me to a dormant, never-used Marriott account that I apparently opened in 1999...When I've gone to the United-Marriott website, it lists an account number that doesn't resemble my active MR account. It says "click here if this isn't your account"...I do, and it tells me to call a number. I tried 4 times last year to get this issue corrected, and every time I told it would be. Marriott merged the two accounts and said that the old number should disappear "in a few days"--FOUR TIMES.
This prompted me to check again just now, and sure as &$(*#, the Rewards Plus website shows the dormant account. I'm afraid if I do click to merge these, that it will invite trouble down the road.
That's the real reason I haven't merged the UA/Marriott partnership. Thankfully, I haven't had to!
Jan 23, 2015, 9:32 am
#2068
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Thanks Sharon...I figured as much.
For brevity, I left out the long, gory details. I've TRIED to link them--but gave up because it didn't matter. UA and Marriott auto-tied me to a dormant, never-used Marriott account that I apparently opened in 1999...When I've gone to the United-Marriott website, it lists an account number that doesn't resemble my active MR account. It says "click here if this isn't your account"...I do, and it tells me to call a number. I tried 4 times last year to get this issue corrected, and every time I told it would be. Marriott merged the two accounts and said that the old number should disappear "in a few days"--FOUR TIMES.
This prompted me to check again just now, and sure as &$(*#, the Rewards Plus website shows the dormant account. I'm afraid if I do click to merge these, that it will invite trouble down the road.
That's the real reason I haven't merged the UA/Marriott partnership. Thankfully, I haven't had to!
For brevity, I left out the long, gory details. I've TRIED to link them--but gave up because it didn't matter. UA and Marriott auto-tied me to a dormant, never-used Marriott account that I apparently opened in 1999...When I've gone to the United-Marriott website, it lists an account number that doesn't resemble my active MR account. It says "click here if this isn't your account"...I do, and it tells me to call a number. I tried 4 times last year to get this issue corrected, and every time I told it would be. Marriott merged the two accounts and said that the old number should disappear "in a few days"--FOUR TIMES.
This prompted me to check again just now, and sure as &$(*#, the Rewards Plus website shows the dormant account. I'm afraid if I do click to merge these, that it will invite trouble down the road.
That's the real reason I haven't merged the UA/Marriott partnership. Thankfully, I haven't had to!
Cheers.
Jan 23, 2015, 9:42 am
#2069
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
As far as I know from my own experience, Status Challenge last 2 years. I did the Platinum Challenge in Jan/Feb 2012 and it said it will exp Feb 2014. And they also do a soft landing to Gold that exp Feb 2015. Will try to request Platinum Challenge later and see if they will accept me again 
Jan 23, 2015, 2:32 pm
#2070
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
I will do that. Again, still not panicked over it because I'm good until Feb of '16 now...But it may catch up to me again like it almost did this past year!