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]
Jul 25, 2012, 5:22 am
#721
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
If you were on a nights challenge, they may have changed the challenge while you were in the process of completing it.
In that event, if you had 6 separate stays during your challenge period, call them back and advise that you found out about the change in the offering and that had you been on a stay challenge, you would have succeeded -- I assume you would have, of course.
If that is the case, ask them to make this one time exception.
In that event, if you had 6 separate stays during your challenge period, call them back and advise that you found out about the change in the offering and that had you been on a stay challenge, you would have succeeded -- I assume you would have, of course.
If that is the case, ask them to make this one time exception.
Jul 25, 2012, 7:34 am
#722
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: A/E Plat,A/E Plat.AP,Taca Gold,KLM Gold,MPolo Gold,Marr. Gold,C.Club Gold,A.Gold Infinate,Em.Exec,
Posts: 41
Great idea. Thanks! I'll let you know how I make out.....just hope the agent is having a good day.
Jul 25, 2012, 7:44 am
#723
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
What do you mean by "misinformed front desk" in regards to this issue?
Jul 26, 2012, 9:00 am
#724
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: A/E Plat,A/E Plat.AP,Taca Gold,KLM Gold,MPolo Gold,Marr. Gold,C.Club Gold,A.Gold Infinate,Em.Exec,
Posts: 41
This happened twice in two days. Friday, call me old fashioned but I like to call the hotel directly if I'm in the area. I was Gold (challenge) at the time, introduced myself, requested a room, informed hotel was full due to an event. Rather surprised I booked another hotel I have Gold with. Saturday, thought I'd try the same Marriott, informed hotel was full but this attempt was told the Courtyard had vacancy. Courtyard is not my first choice but being on a challenge, I called. That agent told me they only had one room available and was kind enough to tell me it wasn't a great room and I should try the Marriott because they have open rooms according to her computer. Shocked to hear this I told her they informed me of no vacancies and that is why I called her hotel. At this point I decided to check my iPhone app and discovered an assortment of rooms available. I reserved a very nice room on line and received a confirmation number. Called the hotel just to be certain, they confirmed my room and were looking forward to my stay. When I arrived at the hotel I explained what had happened and was informed sometimes the computer program shows full but reservations are received online....they don't know why.....fact is, rooms were available while I stayed at another hotel. Had a good stay, staff was great.
Jul 26, 2012, 4:11 pm
#725
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 193
is there a time limit on using the challenging? e.g. once only? once in every two years?
Jul 26, 2012, 4:13 pm
#726
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Jul 26, 2012, 4:21 pm
#727
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 193
There's differing reports about whether the challenge is once in a lifetime. Normally status matches or comps are once in a lifetime, challenges usually once per 12 months. But like I said there are different reports out there. Try searching for challenge and you will see all the threads.
Good luck, and welcome to Flyertalk!
Good luck, and welcome to Flyertalk!
Jul 26, 2012, 4:23 pm
#728
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Jul 27, 2012, 9:50 am
#729
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 120
Well, I just made my challenge. Did platinum challenge in April, had until end of July to complete it. Did 19 nights in that time, although had to call in to get the last few posted in time since they were part of a group reservation which can take longer to post. The woman who helped post the last nights also saw the note about the "manual" challenge and marked me as successfully completing it -- was super friendly and helpful. I look forward to 1/2 bottles of merlot and the occasional upgrade!
Jul 27, 2012, 11:35 am
#730
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
In fact, even the annual cat 5 reward lost some of its shine for me as several cat 5 hotels on my radar migrated to cat 6 (Budapest, Lucerne, etc and Sydney from 6 to 7)
Jul 27, 2012, 2:08 pm
#731
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Now, I am positive that many of these new Cat 5's ought to fall back to Cat 4 if that statement is, indeed, accurate.
If so, not only will it validate that statement, it should permit many to use Cat 4 certs earned during this promotion, and later promotions this year, to stay at a previously favored property. @:-)
Jul 27, 2012, 3:42 pm
#732
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Yes, this is true. However, since they certs are good for 1 year and re-categorization is scheduled again for March or thereabouts, this will be a perfect way to test the excuse that many Cat 4's went up to Cat 5 because of many people exercising their MegaBonus certs.
Now, I am positive that many of these new Cat 5's ought to fall back to Cat 4 if that statement is, indeed, accurate.
If so, not only will it validate that statement, it should permit many to use Cat 4 certs earned during this promotion, and later promotions this year, to stay at a previously favored property. @:-)
Now, I am positive that many of these new Cat 5's ought to fall back to Cat 4 if that statement is, indeed, accurate.
If so, not only will it validate that statement, it should permit many to use Cat 4 certs earned during this promotion, and later promotions this year, to stay at a previously favored property. @:-)
But, I am not holding my breath on this one.
Jul 27, 2012, 6:28 pm
#733
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
since the Cat 1-5 annual free cert come from Chase Visa, and not Marriott, don't think Marriott has to much to say/control on this issue........... guess the proper venue for this is to address it to the issuing party, Chase Visa, but would NO objection to seeing this cert raised to a Cat 1-6.........
Jul 28, 2012, 10:53 am
#734
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 2.2MM LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,572
Does anyone know if II exchanges into MVCI properties (which count towards elite status) will count in the Platinum challenge as well? I'm considering doing a challenge, but most of my stays would be MVCI.
Jul 28, 2012, 11:53 am
#735
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Booking via II will not earn you MR nights/stays. Nor will booking MVCI stays via MVCI ownership time. You must book via Marriott.com/phone and pay eligible room rates.