To Mattress Run or Not to Mattress Run...
Dec 8, 2018, 2:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
To Mattress Run or Not to Mattress Run...
...that is the question. Long story short, I had a trip planned to Australia and Japan (I would presently be in Cairns if that had come to pass) that went out the window for various and sundry reasons. Nothing too horrid blew up...except for my anticipated status with Starriott. I'm presently sitting at 63 nights posted with one outstanding and probably one or two nights over X-mas coming. Throw in the five for making Platinum and I need about four "forced" nights at a Marriott.
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
Dec 8, 2018, 6:25 am
#2
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
...that is the question. Long story short, I had a trip planned to Australia and Japan (I would presently be in Cairns if that had come to pass) that went out the window for various and sundry reasons. Nothing too horrid blew up...except for my anticipated status with Starriott. I'm presently sitting at 63 nights posted with one outstanding and probably one or two nights over X-mas coming. Throw in the five for making Platinum and I need about four "forced" nights at a Marriott.
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
Dec 8, 2018, 10:53 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LTP, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 53
I recently paid $62/night including taxes on a mattress run. You could always do one Rewarding Event if you havent taken advantage of that this year!
Dec 8, 2018, 1:22 pm
#4
formerly leemaj
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: California
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium and LTP, Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold, SW Companion Pass
Posts: 217
Maybe you could do a weekend trip somewhere not too far away? That way you can enjoy the room and location a bit. Just book 4 nights and leave after 2
Dec 8, 2018, 1:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
...that is the question. Long story short, I had a trip planned to Australia and Japan (I would presently be in Cairns if that had come to pass) that went out the window for various and sundry reasons. Nothing too horrid blew up...except for my anticipated status with Starriott. I'm presently sitting at 63 nights posted with one outstanding and probably one or two nights over X-mas coming. Throw in the five for making Platinum and I need about four "forced" nights at a Marriott.
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
As a practical, pragmatic question...setting aside the points earned from the stay in question (and I should be able to stack a brand or two out of this if I handle it well), how much should I consider as a "reasonable" amount to spend on 4-5 "useless" nights (either in cash or points) in exchange for the "bump up" to Platinum Premier? For reference, there's at least one Starriott in my area posting rates <$70/night, and at an entirely different hotel I can get five nights for 50k points (and, IIRC, get a few of those points back on declining housekeeping).
Dec 8, 2018, 3:28 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
Honestly, I assign a null value to the SNAs. Getting a suite rarely does much for me... an upgrade the other night was actually a mild inconvenience since it put me in a suite that was in the back end of Beyond. The free night is basically a "pull my ... out of the fire" card that I value at about 200 to 250, and I do expect to have at least 40 nights "programmed" for next year.
Dec 8, 2018, 4:22 pm
#7
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
The meat in Marriott is to be found at the 50-night Platinum level, the additional monetised benefits of Platinum Premier are really just the 2.5 extra points per $.
Lets say youre staying 70 paid nights next year at $100 per night, then your extra PP points are 2.5x100x70=17,500 points. I value Marriott points at a US cent each, so that’s $175. Of course getting to 75 nights this year also gets you a 40,000 point certificate that in all likelihood will redeem at 25,000 or 35,000 points, use it in a year or it vanishes. Let’s say that’s worth the same again. That’s $350 of value. I hence wouldn’t pay 50,000 points to get back just 17,500 plus that time-limited certificate and since money in my pocket is worth more than points in my account I’d not want to spend more than $300 to get there. Now if my average rate was $200/nt I’d be tempted to pay somewhat more than $300 on the mattress run, but if I was anticipating less paid stays then I’d be adjusting downwards.
I hasten to add that the calculation for mattress running to get to 50 night Plat is a very different animal. A full service night in a $200 European Marriott garners free lounge access worth ~$30, 1000 welcome points worth $10 and 2.5 extra points per $ over Gold worth another $5. That totals $45. In just one night! As a 95% Full Service stayer I would certainly pay a $500 mattress run to keep that, since I’d get my investment back in just 12 nights!
Lets say youre staying 70 paid nights next year at $100 per night, then your extra PP points are 2.5x100x70=17,500 points. I value Marriott points at a US cent each, so that’s $175. Of course getting to 75 nights this year also gets you a 40,000 point certificate that in all likelihood will redeem at 25,000 or 35,000 points, use it in a year or it vanishes. Let’s say that’s worth the same again. That’s $350 of value. I hence wouldn’t pay 50,000 points to get back just 17,500 plus that time-limited certificate and since money in my pocket is worth more than points in my account I’d not want to spend more than $300 to get there. Now if my average rate was $200/nt I’d be tempted to pay somewhat more than $300 on the mattress run, but if I was anticipating less paid stays then I’d be adjusting downwards.
I hasten to add that the calculation for mattress running to get to 50 night Plat is a very different animal. A full service night in a $200 European Marriott garners free lounge access worth ~$30, 1000 welcome points worth $10 and 2.5 extra points per $ over Gold worth another $5. That totals $45. In just one night! As a 95% Full Service stayer I would certainly pay a $500 mattress run to keep that, since I’d get my investment back in just 12 nights!
Last edited by BrightlyBob; Dec 9, 2018 at 2:12 am
Dec 8, 2018, 4:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
Marriott is a program that seems beyond rescue at the moment and in my experience even with as high a status as you can get and 150 nights a year they really don't care. I see nothing changing with this and as such I would invest nothing in ataining the extra status as I don't trust them to give you the benefits your meant to get or not devalue it at some point next year.
More than likely Marriott will not live upto your expectations of the effort to get the extra status so just save your money.
More than likely Marriott will not live upto your expectations of the effort to get the extra status so just save your money.
Dec 8, 2018, 6:01 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
It looks like my sister took care of this for me...due to Xmas shuffling, I'll be in DC for 3-4 nights organically at this point, and DC at that time is cheap. Two nights added to that is worth the cert alone.
Dec 8, 2018, 7:01 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Glad something came through for you. I'm actually in the exact same boat (sitting at 65 nights).
Based on this year it doesn't seem worth it but if they change the name it may actually lead to more discernable difference between Plat and PP/Titanium in which case PP/Titanium is more attractive.
Plus the free night for 75 could likely be redeemed for about the same amount as the cost for the extra 3-4 nights (cheap corporate rates near our office).
Based on this year it doesn't seem worth it but if they change the name it may actually lead to more discernable difference between Plat and PP/Titanium in which case PP/Titanium is more attractive.
Plus the free night for 75 could likely be redeemed for about the same amount as the cost for the extra 3-4 nights (cheap corporate rates near our office).
Dec 8, 2018, 11:02 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
And that's the thing: I realized that I've got a night in March in Toronto where I should get close to US$300 out of the free night (this is before I think I'll have a free CC night...this is a "downtown hotel" night in a week that's inexplicably expensive), so the math is particularly good. The extra 2.5 points are gravy (probably an extra few thousand airline miles on already extant spend) but otherwise that's the general calculation. Getting to about 10 airline miles per dollar spent is just nice.
All of this being said, thank you all very much for the input and advice.
All of this being said, thank you all very much for the input and advice.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:35 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Glad something came through for you. I'm actually in the exact same boat (sitting at 65 nights).
Based on this year it doesn't seem worth it but if they change the name it may actually lead to more discernable difference between Plat and PP/Titanium in which case PP/Titanium is more attractive.
Plus the free night for 75 could likely be redeemed for about the same amount as the cost for the extra 3-4 nights (cheap corporate rates near our office).
Based on this year it doesn't seem worth it but if they change the name it may actually lead to more discernable difference between Plat and PP/Titanium in which case PP/Titanium is more attractive.
Plus the free night for 75 could likely be redeemed for about the same amount as the cost for the extra 3-4 nights (cheap corporate rates near our office).
Have you done a meeting, I mean rewarding event, this year yet?
Dec 9, 2018, 9:01 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I haven't done a meeting. I was given to understand that the meeting thing is now a single-use Potion of Status Healing, so I'm trying to keep that in my back pocket. Otherwise, yes, I would totally have used it to schedule a D&D game or something similar.
Dec 9, 2018, 9:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA plt 2 mm, Marriott LTT, HH dia
Posts: 1,215
If you do a meeting, it might be good to do that sooner rather than later. Remember, the meetings that were held before August 18th, but posted after August 18th, were processed differently. Since the rules are changing now, it could be better for the nights from the meeting to post before December 31, and sometimes it can take a few weeks for the nights to post.
Dec 9, 2018, 10:56 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
If you do a meeting, it might be good to do that sooner rather than later. Remember, the meetings that were held before August 18th, but posted after August 18th, were processed differently. Since the rules are changing now, it could be better for the nights from the meeting to post before December 31, and sometimes it can take a few weeks for the nights to post.