CCIE_Flyer

Depending on location, Prez Circle can indeed be quite nice. However, that's only a benefit of Ambassador status - not the 75-night Plat level.

damon88

ehallison

For me it would depend on how cheaply you can do it, and if there's any other benefit, e.g., a nearby city where you wouldn't mind spending a weekend with your sweetie before New Year's. Otherwise don't worry about it.

My husband is in a similar situation. He's lifetime PPE, but wanted to hit 50 nights for the SNA. He spent too many nights at Hilton & Hyatt in the last few months, and is now 1 short at Marriott, with no more work travel. We do have a quick trip planned for the last weekend of 2018, but I have a good deal at a Hilton with an Amex offer. It's sad that I value the $40 Amex savings for the Hilton vs 5 Marriott SNAs. I'm just skeptical that we'll be able to use them.

ftrichard

In effect it's one night because you will get to choose a free night at 75. If you pay for a couple of nights at a low end property then the cash value of the free night can be worth more than the two paid nights.

I would do it.

Not for the points because they're of minor value over the year but because (considering the neutral cost of getting the two nights) we don't know what's happening to the programme next year and if 75 nights will get a new name then we don't know if it get any new benefits or treatment. Who knows but given that you're so close I'd take the punt and find out when the new programme is revealed next year. You won't have lost anything material.

freeflyin

I am in a similar situation,although I will probably need 3 more nights to reach 75 and 5 more SNAs. I have been unable to use the initial 5,so it is doubtful I will attempt to reach the 75.
At this point, while I am thankful to be Lifetime Plat Premier, cash is now becoming more valuable to me,rather than chasing the additional SNAs.

ehallison

It would be nice if these were confirmable at the time of reservation. Up to the day before arrival isn't a great benefit. Which is why their theoretical value to me is $8/ea, I suppose.

JackE

I would do it for sure.

DFWsakp

I would do it too.
Just find a Cat 1 hotel nearby and make a dummy reservation for 15,000 points and you are all set.
As someone mentioned above, that it can give you a Free Night Certificate up to 35,000 points (or 5 SNAs). That itself is a huge thing and driver to do this.
I would have done it even if I had needed 3 nights.

stvr

This is a no-brainer, for sure. You spend 15,000 points on a Cat 1. You then earn 25% extra points all of 2019. So if you have a $150 room rate average, with 70 nights in 2019, that's 26,000 points. It pays for itself.

frank808

Actually free night choice is for a room up to 40,000 points.

jonisflying

I'm at 73 nights for the year, so I think I'm going to find a local cheap property and do it.

I chose the 5 SNA's at 50 nights and tried to use them on a recent trip to Hong Kong (at the Renaissance). It was nice that they let you choose the room type that you're interested in, and I went for The Dynasty Suite (from a studio suite). I got an email confirmation a couple of weeks before my check in and said that I got my upgrade. Well, it turns out I didn't. When I checked in, they offered me something between my studio suite and the dynasty suite. I declined. They called me in my room and asked if I wanted to use the SNA's and pay for a lower room rate, I declined that as well - I figured I still have 14 months to use them, I'll try again.

Well, when I got back from my trip I noticed that my SNAs had been applied to my stay so I called Marriott and tried to get them back. I've done this twice and no luck. I lost them. I'm a little frustrated about the whole thing.

darthbimmer

I'd do 2 nights to secure PP status, if I could do it either a) very cheaply for a phantom stay (where I check in but don't actually stay in the hotel), or b) at a modest price for a stay-cation type trip.

I'll note that "just book a Cat-1 on points" is not an easy option for a lot of people. Marriott's hotel directory shows that the nearest Cat-1 property to my home in Silicon Valley is 935 miles away. In fact, if you live anywhere on the West Coast, forget about finding a Cat-1 within hundreds of miles.


Map: Marriott Category 1 Hotels in United States

jonisflying

Yeah, I'm really thinking about it!

Here's a question - there is a local Courtyard that I can get for about $100USD a night, and it's close so I can swing by to check in. However, can I look for a cheaper place and check in via the app and never have to visit the property????

Also, @darthbimmer I love the thing in your signature!

Thats great!
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KRSW

Not that I would ever condone such behavior, but you might be able to find a sympathetic inexpensive hotel that would be willingly take your money even if you don't stay there... Or perhaps more you've stayed at frequently and have become familiar with the staff.

I just "pre-paid" for a Dr's office appointment which I plan on completing next month. There 's more than one way to skin a cat.

DFW DL

Question for the Ambassadors out there. I am at $19,700 spend for the year (135 nights)...is it worth doing a mattress run before NYE to get the additional $300 required for Ambassador status? I am LT PPE. Thanks!