I have the "Reinstate Your Level" option (buy it back with points), with the offer expiring on April 1st, when I am going to loose my current level? March 1st, March 31st?

Thank you

You should lose it March 1st.

Nevertheless, it won't make a difference what date you reinstate with points as the expiration in 2011 will be the same regardless.

So, the sooner you do it, the better, right?

How about the "12 nights challenge" they call it, they give you back your status if you stay 12 nights within 3 months?

Do they grant you the 2009 status during that challenge (in other word you keep your 09 status) or reinstate it at the end of the successfull 3 month challenge?

They grant you the status at the end of the challenge, not during the challenge, because of course they have no idea whether you would actually complete the challenge or not.

I believe you keep the status while you're doing the challenge, too, if you already have it. It was explained to me as a "Taste of Elite". There isn't too much taste if you don't get the status, at least temporarily.

Yes it is my understanding too, that you keep your status during the challenge, anyone would be able to confirm?

Thank you

Give customer service a call, and they would be able to confirm for you. That is where I received my information, but I only have one sample point. If you are going to stay 12 nights in the next three months, do the "Taste of Elite". If not, pay the 25,000 points and put off worrying about the status for an additional year.

Savannah2000 - If I were you I would make a few phone calls to Marriott Rewards & beg & plead for them to just renew your status anyway due to the Economy, etc...

My Marriott Elite status was unexpectedly renewed after I fell way short of re-qualifying. It was a nice surprise & I know several other folks who in the recent weeks found out that their status too was re-newed.

I feel like this "renewal period" (2009-2010) for Hotels & Airlines is like no other in (my young) memory with the economy taking such a turn for the worse. I would definitely recommend calling, writing & just plain begging before you even think about spending points you may not need to.

Care to elaborate some details on "I have the "Reinstate Your Level" option (buy it back with points)"? I'm curious what level & how many points, etc. I certainly respect your right to privacy at the same time.

I havenot been staying at Marriott property for 3 years but my SL status was still valid. So I guess they do not strictly implement the status expiry rules. But I am not sure if it is only for silver or for other tiers as well.

Thank you for your message

It was 22,500 to keep gold (but as in another thread, the offer disappeared recently, apparently due to an IT issue)

Yes I will call them again, about it.

Mines 25000 to keep Gold, both online on my Marriott page, and through an email they sent me (only had 9 nights last year)

Got confirmation from Marriott:

you KEEP your status during the challenge