Marriott Platinum Challenge General Discussion Thread
 

Hi! Just learned today from FlyerTea (apparently a Chinese version FlyerTalk) that Marriott has platinum challenge available again. The requirement is 16 nights before 12/31 for platinum elite or 8 nights for gold. The information is posted by the Starwood Lurker there. I called Marriott a few minutes ago and the CSR confirmed that the platinum challenge does exist now (after initially saying there's no such challenge). The original post on FlyerTea says award stays also count, but the Marriott CSR says they have to be qualified paid stays, therefore I didn't sign up. (Was hoping to get platinum by using two 7-night TP certificates later this year but apparently not possible.)

Now reported on BA via GSTP blog. He claims he got his info from Marriott. Some further details to what was posted above;
Can do once every 3yrs
Do not need any elite status to enroll.


https://www.godsavethepoints.com/201...num-challenge/

Who on earth would be mad enough to do 8 nights for Gold?

The confusing part is whether award stays count. According to FlyerTea, Marriott CSRs in China are explicitly saying they do, while CSRs in the US insisting that only paid stays count. For people using their 7-night certificates, this challenge could be really easy.

Curious if status is granted during the challenge period, or only after the challenge has been met?

Words are you only get status after completing the challenge. So no Platinum benefits during the 16 nights.

Fresh DP here: Marriott CSR confirmed that 1) award stays do count; 2) no status during the challenge; 3) 90 days to complete (though I've read somewhere the actual deadline is 12/31). Asked for a confirmation email and was told it would come in 24 hours. Will share if that email entails further info such as official T&C.

how to sign up?

Ask if a successfully completed challenge counts as a year of status for lifetime status purposes....

Just call the 801 number and HUCA if necessary. Some agents know this program well while some may have no idea what you're talking about. Luckily I got one today who's really on top of it and immediately located the clause about award stays.

I just called in and was registered within 20 minutes, including wait time. The CSR was not aware of the challenge but managed to find information on it. The end date is 12/31/2018 and they gave me the option of stays or nights. When I inquired about how many stays were needed, the CSR did not know so I opted for nights. I will probably call back in a day or two to confirm everything.

Do a Platinum challenge from Platinum?

As for previous challenges, post #3 above says it can be done once every 3 years.

If the end date is 12/31, does a stay checking in on the 31st count? I would think so but if anyone has figure this out...

Awards stays DO count. This is different from past challenges.

I got a Marriott CSR to email me the full terms and conditions and they do count.

Were you able to get any confirmation? The rep told me I'd get an email but I got nothing, so I couldn't really find anything in writing confirming that I have been enrolled successfully.

Do you know what are eligible paid nights? I called Marriot and the CSO insisted that prepaid rates booked on the Marriot app would not qualify for the challenge. That struck me as rather odd. Also he insisted that it had to be within 3 months of the day I signed up, and not till 31 Dec 2018 as some others have reported.

Called in yesterday and the customer service rep initially was not aware of any Platinum or Gold Challenge. After a brief hold, she found information and stated the Platinum Challenge as:

• 16 nights
• Award stays count
• No status during challenge
• Challenge starts immediately and includes the remainder of month of sign-up plus 3 months

No email of terms and conditions available but she stated the challenge shows on my account (although I am unable to see it). Anyone with experience in going backtracking challenges after completion?

Nope/nada. I called back in and verified the challenge was on my account but they were never able to send me a confirmation.

I'm guessing 10 nights from a meeting event would not qualify ?

Here's the full Platinum terms. Gold terms are basically the same except 8 nights vs 16.

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.
- 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 10- 24 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.
- For a list of current Rewards participating brands, visit http://www.marriott.com/marriott-rewards/earn/hotels.mi
- For a list of current SPG participating brands, visit https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...categoryId=bra nd.ourBrands
- Stays at our exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton® , will count toward achievement. - Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member's nights.
- Nights spent while redeeming an award are eligible for credit toward this promotion.
- Marriott Vacation Club owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for credit. CEC Status Challenge Offers Terms & Conditions 3
- Elite benefits vary by brands and based on availability.
- Offer is non-transferable. Offer is valid for one-time use. This promotion is subject to modification, cancellation, or limitation at Marriott’s discretion, with or without notice.
A member can only register for this promotion once between September 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021.

Just registered for this. The CSR was familiar with it. She did tell me that SPG and Marriott accounts had to be combined to participate and she did that for me while I was on the phone. I logged in a few hours later and the merged points and information seem to be correct.

I'm thinking about doing the Marriott status challenge (16 nights in 3 months for Platinum). Questions...

1) If I start the challenge now and get my 16 nights by Nov. 2018, when would my Plat status expire?
2) If I start the challenge in Jan and get my 16 nights by Feb. or March 2019, when would my Plat status expire?

Thanks!

Trying to sign up my new assistant and the Plat line keeps telling me he is not eligible for the challenge because he does not have Silver status yet. Been told this twice by the same person (how often does HUACA the next day get the same person?).

I asked for a supervisor. 10 minutes later she said she could do it, but could not activate it until September 30. We have a trip starting on the 21st, so I pushed. First she said she could not start it earlier. Then she said she could start it on the 23rd (our last night), and then she said she could "back date" it to the 21st.

What on earth is going on here?! Has anyone else heard anything like this?

Note the line towards the end: "Nights spent while redeeming an award are eligible for credit toward this promotion."

Does the 90-days period actually mean 90 days or 3 months? If I remember correctly from my previous Starwood Challenge, I could choose freely which month I would like to start, but the starting date was always the 1st of the month.

I don't think that's the case. From various forums, CSRs have been either saying 90 days or until 12/31 (at least for people who signed up in Sep) and I'd rather play it safe and follow the 90-day limit. Haven't heard anyone mentioning the 1st of the month. I'm guessing Marriott isn't following SPG traditions?

I plan to follow strictly 90 days however i've had 3 different CSR's explain it as: you get the rest of the current month (the month you sign up regardless of if it's the 2nd or the 27th) plus the next 3 calendar months. I signed up a few days into September so the rep said I'd get the remainder of September plus Oct/Nov/Dec so for me it ran to 12/31. I have no idea if you wait till October to signup if running into 2019 affects anything or not.

Just called to sign up, 46 mins hold time till i got a representative. 16 nights stay by 12/31.

So I just had a recent 3 night stay where i paid points for 2 nights and cash for the 3rd. If I call in they should be able to tell me my progress on this challenge... right? Want to make triple sure they are counting the awards nights before i go and start mattress running.

I just signed up myself. Started today, I have until 12/31/18 to complete.

Took 20 minutes. The rep was very knowledgeable about it. I used the iPhone texting service. (Awesome service if you’ve never used it before). It is a great way to get things accomplished if you don’t want to sit on hold, or can’t talk because of where you are.

Just wondering... 3 differents rooms per reservation could be considered as a 3 differents stay?
Tks

Nope.

Quick (perhaps silly) clarification on the platinum challenge: Do all 16 nights have to occur during the 3 months challenge period or do you just have to accumulate 16+ nights total (including what you already have for the year prior to the 3-month challenge period) by the end of the three months?