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]
Aug 2, 2010, 11:48 am
#121
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
Here's what I did to get the Platinum Challenge:
1) Log into the Marriott site with your account.
2) On the bottom footer, where it says "customer service", click on the online communication / email link.
3) Choose a category of Elite Services.
4) Provide your details about why you want the challenge / should qualify.
Note: If you request the Gold challenge, it's a 12 night minimum instead of 50. If you want the Platinum challenge, then it's an 18 night minimum. Keep in mind it's 18 nights once the status kicks in, so your current eligible nights don't count towards the elite challenge.
1) Log into the Marriott site with your account.
2) On the bottom footer, where it says "customer service", click on the online communication / email link.
3) Choose a category of Elite Services.
4) Provide your details about why you want the challenge / should qualify.
Note: If you request the Gold challenge, it's a 12 night minimum instead of 50. If you want the Platinum challenge, then it's an 18 night minimum. Keep in mind it's 18 nights once the status kicks in, so your current eligible nights don't count towards the elite challenge.
Aug 10, 2010, 9:49 am
#122
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 73
Challenge Plats treated differently?
I am currently a Diamond at Hyatt and am trying to switch over to Marriott as it is more convenient for my current travel. After emailing MR, I was offered instant Plat status and an 18 night in 90 day challenge to maintain through Feb 2012. I checked in yesterday for my first stay and the front desk agent barely mentioned my status. I'm not a snob by any means but he also neglected to mention that I have access to the Concierge club or where it was located(I had to ask a colleague where it was). Furthermore, I believe that I have one of the smallest rooms in the entire hotel. I took a look at my (Gold status) colleague's room and it was easily twice the size.
Could this treatment be a result of being a challenge Plat as opposed to a "real" Plat? Could it be because I have never stayed at this property before?
I am not entirely satisfied and got much better treatment at Hyatt as a Diamond(on top of the standard amenities, they knew my name and said hello every morning).
Should I say something on checkout?
Thanks everyone
Could this treatment be a result of being a challenge Plat as opposed to a "real" Plat? Could it be because I have never stayed at this property before?
I am not entirely satisfied and got much better treatment at Hyatt as a Diamond(on top of the standard amenities, they knew my name and said hello every morning).
Should I say something on checkout?
Thanks everyone
Aug 10, 2010, 9:55 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Are you actually a Plat? Or are you on a challenge (meaning that you'll receive Platinum status after 18 nights)?
Usually when companies do status match challenges, you don't have the status until you actually complete the challenge. As this was your first stay, my guess is that you aren't actually a Platinum as yet.
Usually when companies do status match challenges, you don't have the status until you actually complete the challenge. As this was your first stay, my guess is that you aren't actually a Platinum as yet.
Aug 10, 2010, 9:59 am
#124
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 73
I am actually a Plat until Nov 30. I need to complete 18 nights by then to maintain it until Feb 2012. The front desk agent mentioned my status as a Plat by saying "I see your Platinum status" but that was the extent of it.
Aug 10, 2010, 10:38 am
#125
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: AMEX PLT, AA PPro, Spire AMB
Posts: 1,617
Challenge platinums are immediately Platinum and if the 18 nights aren't completed, they drop down to their Gold (pre-challege) level. I don't think that hotels can see whether or not you are a challenge platinum - I finished mine at the end of July and throughout my stays did not have an issue.
Your issues probably are more based on occupancy, the fact you stayed in one property only (so far) and rate paid maybe? I've had comments at hotels where I've scored low rates and they did comment on it. Not sure if this affects upgrades.
Your issues probably are more based on occupancy, the fact you stayed in one property only (so far) and rate paid maybe? I've had comments at hotels where I've scored low rates and they did comment on it. Not sure if this affects upgrades.
Aug 10, 2010, 11:12 am
#126
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
But I do agree that the room differences could be because of occupancy levels, length of stay, or even when you checked-in (note that if a hotel has a limited number of larger rooms, if they were all handed out before you checked-in or not cleaned yet, then you might not get one where someone else did.)
If you are unsatisfied with you room type, I would suggest asking to talk with a manager and let them know. Its possible that while a better room wasn't available when you checked-in, one now might be available.
And it is concievable that different front desk agents have different levels of competency, training, emotional maturity levels, etc. Which could mean you had a new agent and they didn't know to upgrade you, forgot to, or just didn't know how, etc. That does not mean it was OK for that person to not get you the upgrade, but if you talk with the manager, s/he might be able to figure out what happened and make sure the agent get the training needed, or whatever change needs to happen.
Aug 10, 2010, 11:33 am
#127
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 73
But I do agree that the room differences could be because of occupancy levels, length of stay, or even when you checked-in (note that if a hotel has a limited number of larger rooms, if they were all handed out before you checked-in or not cleaned yet, then you might not get one where someone else did.)
However, I don't think it is excusable to forget to mention the access to the Concierge lounge. IMO, that is one of the most important amenities for Elite members. This being my first stay in a Marriott, I honestly wasn't sure whether or not I had access until I asked my colleague what floor it was on and tried my room key in the elevator. It seems like this is something that all front desk agents should know to mention.
Aug 10, 2010, 11:42 am
#128
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAMM & PLT; UA Gold, DL Silver, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 1,591
You are granted Plat and have to stay 18 nights within 3 months (a bit more actually) to maintain it for the next program year. I was on a challenge but did not meet the requirement as I jumped to SPG and Hyatt for the AA promotions.
Aug 10, 2010, 12:54 pm
#129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
associates can only see what your status is at time of check-in, they can not see how you earned the status or how long you will have it for
Aug 10, 2010, 1:31 pm
#130
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Can they see lifetime nights or number of nights so far this year? That might cause some difference in the approach to the customer.
Aug 10, 2010, 1:38 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
Typically a hotel will be most loyal to their regulars (ie a plat staying 30 times in a year will be upgraded before a plat who's never stayed at the hotel before...but that plat who's never stayed will certainly be upgraded before a gold who's stayed 40 nights at the hotel)
Aug 11, 2010, 2:57 am
#132
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,447
I'm a Plat Premier and my experience is that check in can be very hit and miss, ranging from almost dismissive (sadly all too frequent) through mechanistic to being welcomed like a long lost friend.
I guess I only get told about upgrades and exec lounge less than 50% of the time, so if you haven't been, then it's down to the agent, not your status.
FWIW, I'm tracking my upgrades here which gives you an idea of the range of welcomes at different hotels (or even the same hotel on different days).
I guess I only get told about upgrades and exec lounge less than 50% of the time, so if you haven't been, then it's down to the agent, not your status.
FWIW, I'm tracking my upgrades here which gives you an idea of the range of welcomes at different hotels (or even the same hotel on different days).
Aug 11, 2010, 5:34 am
#133
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
It sounds like maybe you didn't receive your platinum amenity, which entitles you to $100 (at fs properties), if you claim it before checkout.
Aug 11, 2010, 6:13 am
#134
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
Checkin time can have alot to do with what room you get. I've stayed at the same hotel and gotten a better room Sunday night than Monday night. It just depends on what's available.
Aug 11, 2010, 7:59 am
#135
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,597
Typically a hotel will be most loyal to their regulars (ie a plat staying 30 times in a year will be upgraded before a plat who's never stayed at the hotel before...but that plat who's never stayed will certainly be upgraded before a gold who's stayed 40 nights at the hotel)