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-   -   Marriott Platinum Challenge General Discussion Thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1928977-marriott-platinum-challenge-general-discussion-thread.html)

sch7458 Oct 5, 2018 3:49 pm


Originally Posted by countingmiles (Post 30282697)
Anyone experience booking at OTA (like hotels.com)? do these count?

That I believe won't ever count. OTA bookings don't even yield any points, or stay credits, and the majority of chain hotels would even refuse elite benefits on OTA bookings.
When a guest arrive having an OTA bookings, they are normally treated as an outsider. Is there a reason you need to book chain hotel on OTA?

countingmiles Oct 5, 2018 3:53 pm


Originally Posted by sch7458 (Post 30283551)
That I believe won't ever count. OTA bookings don't even yield any points, or stay credits, and the majority of chain hotels would even refuse elite benefits on OTA bookings.
When a guest arrive having an OTA bookings, they are normally treated as an outsider. Is there a reason you need to book chain hotel on OTA?

Thanks, yeah, after googling, several results say the same thing.
I am wanting to use hotels.com GC what I got at a discount.

Perhaps I can try to use the rate match.

sch7458 Oct 5, 2018 4:40 pm


Originally Posted by countingmiles (Post 30283562)
Thanks, yeah, after googling, several results say the same thing.
I am wanting to use hotels.com GC what I got at a discount.

Perhaps I can try to use the rate match.

Well sometimes I use OTA in a place where chain hotels are not present or when there's chain hotels that I'm not in (e.g. Best Western, Accor, Clarion...)
But my preference is of course chain hotels since I typically need flexibility.
Many chain hotels actually allow date change or unused travel funds on prepaid rate, some don't even charge my CC until the minute I checked in.
With OTA, you can forget that.

sch7458 Oct 9, 2018 4:41 pm

Just called Marriott CS in Germany, the "new" terms and conditions are:

- Award stay does count when at least 1 night is paid. (WTH?)
- Strictly during 90 days only, NOT 90 days + "bonus days" (if register after 1st of the month)

Viajero Millero Oct 9, 2018 10:40 pm


Originally Posted by sch7458 (Post 30297357)
Just called Marriott CS in Germany, the "new" terms and conditions are:

- Award stay does count when at least 1 night is paid. (WTH?)
- Strictly during 90 days only, NOT 90 days + "bonus days" (if register after 1st of the month)

What a mess. I'm starting to believe there must be a set of rules for each continent.

I called the Spanish-speaking line and the agent found out the Platinum Challenge was back when I told him it was back.

tygran37 Oct 10, 2018 12:51 pm

Yeah it's truly astonishing how badly the CSR's are being trained currently. It's almost like they are making it up as they go.

This is Marriott's promotion...it shouldn't be my job to figure out how to meet Marriott's terms of something they are voluntarily offering.

palmanfr Oct 15, 2018 2:03 am

Reading at this thread and I can see that this transition is just a big mess. Unbelievable.
Personally, I used to be MR Gold (from SPG Gold) before August 18th. I was told by email in June that I would be enjoying platinum benefits until the end of 2018. It appears that was a "mistake" (according to the CSR) but never received any correction email. Anyway, reading this thread last week, I decided to apply yesterday to the platinum challenge, as I have a 7 night award stay booked plus a couple of other paid nights. Called Marriott yesterday early morning, got an agent immediately. He was not very knowledgeable on that particular topic but managed to get the information. He registered me, and told me the challenge would be valid until the end of Jan 2019, but I cannot see anything under my promotions tab. I also asked him if award stays wee counting for this challenge and he replied to me yes, as long as the nights get credited to the account. I usually record all the calls on my mobile, but not this time as I was calling from skype. Am I supposed to see this promotion appearing under my profile? This is just a mess.

hindolio Oct 15, 2018 11:10 am


Originally Posted by palmanfr (Post 30316390)
...Am I supposed to see this promotion appearing under my profile? This is just a mess.

I do not believe anyone has posted that they see this promotion in his/her account. I, as well as others, have spoken with CSRs who can see this active promotion though.

Rusdude Oct 25, 2018 9:46 am

Just enrolled - took a few minutes and CSR knew exactly what to do.

Quick question -- my 90 days extend into January 2019 (CSR said "by January 31") but how does the elite status expiration date is calculated for the challenge?

To get the status for as long as possible, am I better off waiting until 2019 to get the last few nights (to have status in 2019, 2020, and early 2021) or would the expiration date be the same regardless (e.g. early 2020)?

Thank you!

flyou10 Oct 25, 2018 11:30 am

I just wanted to post that I had success with this. I completed my 16th night. It took about 2 days for my stay to post onto my account, then when it posted my status changed immediately to Platinum.

I was very happy with everything.

lincoln boy Oct 25, 2018 3:57 pm


Originally Posted by flyou10 (Post 30355352)
I just wanted to post that I had success with this. I completed my 16th night. It took about 2 days for my stay to post onto my account, then when it posted my status changed immediately to Platinum.

I was very happy with everything.

Did you do all paid stay? no award night?

flyou10 Oct 25, 2018 6:01 pm

All paid

gordonja Nov 1, 2018 10:33 am

Has anyone seen any data points yet on anyone successfully receiving Platinum status with award nights as pat of the 16 nights?

gordonja Nov 12, 2018 3:32 pm

I got the CSR at the Platinum desk to email me the terms and conditions today. She said that award stays prior to October 12th count towards the promotion, but award stays afterwards do not. :-(. When I read the terms and conditions (included below) it seems to me as if redemption stays would count if you registered for the promotion before October 12th. These are the terms and conditions that she sent to me:

Platinum Elite Status Challenge Terms & Conditions:
- This promotion is for existing members of the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG members - Registration is required - Existing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG members with base membership, Silver Elite or Gold Elite status are eligible for this promotion; members at Platinum Elite tier are ineligible for this offer. - Upon making 16 qualifying paid nights within 90 days of date of registration, participant will receive Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards or SPG Platinum Elite status for up to one year, based on their loyalty program affiliation. After the first year, Platinum Elite status will be retained by staying the required number of qualifying nights under the terms of the Marriott Rewards, The RitzCarlton Rewards and the SPG programs. - Paid nights at a qualifying rate count towards the promotion. Nights spent while redeeming an award are ineligible and do not count towards the promotion. - The batch process for redemption stays for all who registered prior to October 12th will occur on a monthly basis. - If member does not make 16 qualifying paid nights within 90 days of their date of registration, member will be changed to the membership level which corresponds to number of nights stayed: Member tier for 0-9 nights stayed, Silver Elite tier for 1024 nights stayed and Gold Elite tier for 25 – 49 nights stayed. - Nights stayed prior to enrollment are not eligible for this offer. - A 'stay' is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. - Credit toward this promotion is given for night stays with participating Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG hotels which occur within the earning period.

Starwood Lurker III Nov 13, 2018 12:17 am


Originally Posted by gordonja (Post 30422740)
I got the CSR at the Platinum desk to email me the terms and conditions today. She said that award stays prior to October 12th count towards the promotion, but award stays afterwards do not. :-(. When I read the terms and conditions (included below) it seems to me as if redemption stays would count if you registered for the promotion before October 12th. These are the terms and conditions that she sent to me:

Platinum Elite Status Challenge Terms & Conditions:
- This promotion is for existing members of the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG members - Registration is required - Existing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG members with base membership, Silver Elite or Gold Elite status are eligible for this promotion; members at Platinum Elite tier are ineligible for this offer. - Upon making 16 qualifying paid nights within 90 days of date of registration, participant will receive Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards or SPG Platinum Elite status for up to one year, based on their loyalty program affiliation. After the first year, Platinum Elite status will be retained by staying the required number of qualifying nights under the terms of the Marriott Rewards, The RitzCarlton Rewards and the SPG programs. - Paid nights at a qualifying rate count towards the promotion. Nights spent while redeeming an award are ineligible and do not count towards the promotion. - The batch process for redemption stays for all who registered prior to October 12th will occur on a monthly basis. - If member does not make 16 qualifying paid nights within 90 days of their date of registration, member will be changed to the membership level which corresponds to number of nights stayed: Member tier for 0-9 nights stayed, Silver Elite tier for 1024 nights stayed and Gold Elite tier for 25 – 49 nights stayed. - Nights stayed prior to enrollment are not eligible for this offer. - A 'stay' is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. - Credit toward this promotion is given for night stays with participating Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG hotels which occur within the earning period.

You are correct that redemption stays would count if you registered for the promotion before October 12th.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International

[email protected]


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