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]
Apr 9, 2013, 2:34 pm
#1396
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,844
There should have been an eMail acknowledging the challenge, what the requirements are, and the time period. If you did not get one, call MR and request a new copy be sent. Otherwise you are flying blind and if their system should hiccup, you might get denied it was set up.
so i said fine... thank you and hung up. I dont feel like marriott rewards people are "that nice" they dont make me feel "important" just my observation...
Apr 9, 2013, 2:54 pm
#1397
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
I'm in the midst of a platinum challenge that started a couple of weeks ago and goes until the end of June. 9 stays required. I also did a platinum challenge in 2011, when it was 18 nights in 90 days. Didn't get an email confirmation either time, nor did I know that this was something that was ever done. I'm interested to hear whether xuni4everx had success upon calling back. It amazes me how many different ways these are handled by different reps.
Apr 9, 2013, 4:04 pm
#1398
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,028
Sent back a reply confirming whether 2014 or 2015Update: error has been confirmed. It is til 2015, not 2014
Last edited by jmw2323; Apr 9, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Apr 9, 2013, 4:43 pm
#1399
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
Called they said no email. they said they never did that. the rep said you should have understood and discussed everything with the previous rep. and in the past 6 years they worked there they have never seen a computer glitch where someone completed their stay and didnt get their gold status...
so i said fine... thank you and hung up. I dont feel like marriott rewards people are "that nice" they dont make me feel "important" just my observation...
so i said fine... thank you and hung up. I dont feel like marriott rewards people are "that nice" they dont make me feel "important" just my observation...
I once had a CSR tell me the they "would never do what I was asking".
I requested a supervisor and was told she was a supervisor! I insisted I knew of what I spoke and she went away for several minutes and came back apologizing that she had just returned from maternity leave and hadn't caught up with her emails. Made the adjustments I was due and ended the call.Your choice now is to fly blind and hope everything works or try for a willing CSR on the next (few) calls.
Good luck.
Apr 10, 2013, 8:02 am
#1400
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,570
Called they said no email. they said they never did that. the rep said you should have understood and discussed everything with the previous rep. and in the past 6 years they worked there they have never seen a computer glitch where someone completed their stay and didnt get their gold status...
so i said fine... thank you and hung up. I dont feel like marriott rewards people are "that nice" they dont make me feel "important" just my observation...
so i said fine... thank you and hung up. I dont feel like marriott rewards people are "that nice" they dont make me feel "important" just my observation...
Apr 10, 2013, 8:18 am
#1401
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,844
I signed up for the plat. challenge last week and was told there is no email, it is just in the system. I was also told that my status would change to platinum the next day after the overnight system update. I am not worried about the lack of an email, in part because my status jumped to platinum the next day. My CSR was a male; if yours was a female, we have at least 2 consistent stories. I didn't read all the prior posts; did I miss stories about Marriott reneging on the challenge?
Apr 17, 2013, 7:31 pm
#1402
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
Gold challenge: Shot down, months later approved
A couple of years ago (2010, maybe?) I managed to get my wife Gold status with Marriott through some type of weirdo Chinese bank offer. She kept the Gold status for all of 2011 but then dropped back to Silver for 2012. Most of her stays have been with Hilton, but had 18 Marriott nights last year.
Her territory changed a bit this year (to one with more Marriott-family props), and plus I read that one could do a challenge again after a year, so I requested one for her. She was shot down, on the grounds that a person could only have one "challenge" upgrade. This is NOT what I've read on some blogs, but I didn't argue. It was my understanding that she could do another challenge after a year. As part of my upgrade request, I did send in a copy of her Hilton activity report, which showed her as a Diamond. This happened in early February.
Even though we had planned for her not to stay a lot with Marriott after the shoot-down, she ended up with six or seven stays in the first quarter for a total of nine or 10 nights. I just got through logging in to her "promotion central" area and saw that she was enrolled in the "Taste of Gold" promotion. I don't know how or why this happened, but thought I would share it. Perhaps there is some type of review process whereby people who are declined are reconsidered if they have a certain number of stays or something.
I have to confess that I am not sure she can earn enough nights to re-qualify for next year. Her night count for the year is 12 and she has 8 rollover nights. So she might make it one more year, but without the rollovers I'm not sure she can make 50 nights a year. Anyway, I just thought I would share my surprise, and see if others have had the same experience.
Her territory changed a bit this year (to one with more Marriott-family props), and plus I read that one could do a challenge again after a year, so I requested one for her. She was shot down, on the grounds that a person could only have one "challenge" upgrade. This is NOT what I've read on some blogs, but I didn't argue. It was my understanding that she could do another challenge after a year. As part of my upgrade request, I did send in a copy of her Hilton activity report, which showed her as a Diamond. This happened in early February.
Even though we had planned for her not to stay a lot with Marriott after the shoot-down, she ended up with six or seven stays in the first quarter for a total of nine or 10 nights. I just got through logging in to her "promotion central" area and saw that she was enrolled in the "Taste of Gold" promotion. I don't know how or why this happened, but thought I would share it. Perhaps there is some type of review process whereby people who are declined are reconsidered if they have a certain number of stays or something.
I have to confess that I am not sure she can earn enough nights to re-qualify for next year. Her night count for the year is 12 and she has 8 rollover nights. So she might make it one more year, but without the rollovers I'm not sure she can make 50 nights a year. Anyway, I just thought I would share my surprise, and see if others have had the same experience.
Apr 17, 2013, 7:43 pm
#1403
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat
Posts: 153
For the promotion (it has changed since the last time you did it.) Nights are irrelevant and only stays matter.
When does the challenge end?
Does she have any upcoming stays?
How long are those stays?
When does the challenge end?
Does she have any upcoming stays?
How long are those stays?
Apr 17, 2013, 8:29 pm
#1404
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
The promotion is stay based. It requires six "stays" between April 1 and June 30. When I checked in my wife already had one stay. She's actually at a Fairfield tonight and will be at a Courtyard tomorrow night, so she's halfway through the challenge with 2.3 months to go.
Most of my wife's stays are one-nighters. She does have a few two- or three-night stays, but they are rare. She is on the road.
When I wrote my original email to Marriott, I actually requested the Platinum challenge as well. There is no doubt that she could meet the nine-stay requirement, but she could never requalify. So I'm not upset that she didn't get it.
Apr 17, 2013, 11:07 pm
#1405
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat
Posts: 153
I guess I failed to provide the most relevant information!
The promotion is stay based. It requires six "stays" between April 1 and June 30. When I checked in my wife already had one stay. She's actually at a Fairfield tonight and will be at a Courtyard tomorrow night, so she's halfway through the challenge with 2.3 months to go.
Most of my wife's stays are one-nighters. She does have a few two- or three-night stays, but they are rare. She is on the road.
When I wrote my original email to Marriott, I actually requested the Platinum challenge as well. There is no doubt that she could meet the nine-stay requirement, but she could never requalify. So I'm not upset that she didn't get it.
The promotion is stay based. It requires six "stays" between April 1 and June 30. When I checked in my wife already had one stay. She's actually at a Fairfield tonight and will be at a Courtyard tomorrow night, so she's halfway through the challenge with 2.3 months to go.
Most of my wife's stays are one-nighters. She does have a few two- or three-night stays, but they are rare. She is on the road.
When I wrote my original email to Marriott, I actually requested the Platinum challenge as well. There is no doubt that she could meet the nine-stay requirement, but she could never requalify. So I'm not upset that she didn't get it.
I too asked for Platinum via a few avenues... China gave me the gold challenge but SLC gave me the platinum challenge.
It all comes down to who you get at the right moment.
Apr 18, 2013, 12:57 pm
#1406
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA, YVR
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Flying Blue Gold, BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 568
I completed the Plat challenge in early April. Called in twice to confirm that it was indeed completed and that the status was good til February 2015. Both reps said that they don't send emails, but I would receive my Plat card in the mail in the next couple of weeks.
Still waiting for the card to arrive...
Still waiting for the card to arrive...
Apr 19, 2013, 11:39 am
#1407
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: HHonors Silver, Marriott Silver,DL Silver,HG
Posts: 1
I am currently silver status at Mariott and I have some stays coming up and wanted to check out their gold status. I had read that you can request a Gold Challenge and gain that status after a few stays. I sent elite.member at marriott.com an email and got the following response:
I plan on calling, but has anyone heard of this being discontinued? I have never done a challenge.
I plan on calling, but has anyone heard of this being discontinued? I have never done a challenge.
Last edited by bcstar; Apr 19, 2013 at 11:42 am Reason: Didn't read previous post that answered question.
Apr 19, 2013, 9:05 pm
#1408
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat
Posts: 153
I completed the Plat challenge in early April. Called in twice to confirm that it was indeed completed and that the status was good til February 2015. Both reps said that they don't send emails, but I would receive my Plat card in the mail in the next couple of weeks.
Still waiting for the card to arrive...
Still waiting for the card to arrive...
Apr 20, 2013, 4:18 am
#1409
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,342
How should I contact Marriott? Using the generic mail form on the MR website or is their another email address I can better write to?