No, only eligible paid nights are counted, not bonus nights, not nights booked thru a third party.

Thanks for the info on this thread.. I e-mailed and asked for a challenge to Gold (missed renewing by 3 nights), and instead got offered the buyback of Gold for 25K points.. I decided to accept because most of my stays are at European properties and I enjoy the free eats and booze, as well as having a place to go to have a coffee while I catch up on e-mail..

I mailed and just received reply saying

"I am happy to offer you a conditional upgrade to the Gold Elite level, which will be valid through June 30, 2010; however, an updated membership card will not be processed until the following terms have been met.

In order to maintain this status, you must stay 12 paid nights between March 12, 2010, through June 12, 2010. This is a one-time offer, and these dates cannot be changed."

But as I log into my account right now, it still shows the previous status (Basic level) instead of Gold.

Anyone can help to clarify if I can only be promoted to Gold Elite after completing 12 nights within the required time period, or it is an IMMEDIATE upgrade based on my understanding? Thanks

Wow, this is a huge step for Marriott. They're usually so adamant about not status matching or allowing you instant elite status without having to stay a certain number of nights first (like 18 nights, and THEN you get elite, etc).

I thought they always gave you status during the challenge. They ran that highly publicized taste of gold promo last year, also.

Checked again and status changed to Gold Elite already. They must need some time to sync up the information within their system etc.

Thanks a lot for your information and this is indeed an awesome forum!

Sorry if these questions have already been answered; I searched and read everything I could find on status matches and challenges and wanted some advice on the best approach given my situation.

I am Hilton HHonors Diamond (> 110 nights last year, almost 40 so far this year). I expect to spend about 30 nights in hotels by the end of June for business travel. Many of these nights will be at Hilton properties to requalify for Diamond VIP and take advantage of their Q2 promotion, but I should be able to do at least 10 nights at Marriott during this period too. At this point, I am uncertain if my business travel will continue past June 30.

So, my first decision is whether I should ask for a Gold or Platinum challenge. I'm thinking Gold, since I won't be able to meet the 18 nights if my business travel does not continue in July, and it appears that Marriott is pretty stringent about 1) one challenge per year, and 2) the policy of meet the challenge or go back to your current level (basic for me). Also, since Marriott Platinum is tougher to achieve than Hilton Diamond, I'm not even sure that Marriott would consider me worthy of Platinum.

A related question is whether anyone has been given an either/or type challenge (i.e., 18 days for platinum or 12 days for gold), or if Marriott actually does grant status for a lower level than the one you challenge for based on the number of nights stayed during the challenge period (e.g., if I am doing a Platinum challenge and only manage 13 stays, will I get Gold?). I'm assuming that neither of these things happen, but figured it could not hurt to ask.

Finally, I was wondering if Marriott ever considered stays before the challenge was requested/approved. I'm assuming they don't, but again I was hoping that someone has had a different experience.

P.S. I realize that waiting until I get clarifiication on the my travel beyond June 30 makes sense, but I'm not sure how soon that is going to happen, and I am planning Marriott stays beginning this week and don't want to lose the chance to count those stays to meet a challenge.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[QUOTE]My first decision is whether I should ask for a Gold or Platinum challenge.....
- You should just ask for a Gold Challenge if you only have 12 paid nights by the end of July, not Platinum in your case

[QUOTE]A related question is whether anyone has been given an either/or type challenge ....

- No, if you ask for Platinum and you do not achieve 18 required nights, you will be downgraded to what you were before you asked for the challenge and not Gold.

[QUOTE]Finally, I was wondering if Marriott ever considered stays before the challenge was requested/approved.....

- No

P.S. I realize that waiting until I get clarifiication on the my travel beyond June 30 makes sense....

[QUOTE]If you ask for the challenge today, very likely (no guarantee), the period will be until July 31.

Thanks, So Pang!

FYI, for anyone else interested:

1) I sent my request through Marriott's website late this morning, and a got a same day response.

2) I was granted conditional Gold status with the requirement to stay 12 paid nights beginning April 13, 2010, through July 31, 2010 in order to maintain status through February 2012.

for anyone else looking into this, i just called the customer relations number on the marriott homepage and asked for a status challenge. the first operator bluntly refused and said it was against marriott's policy to offer any status matches as it was a 'loyalty' program and needed to be earned like everyone else. so, FT mantra in tow, i hung up & called back. second operator said 'let me look at your account.....*pause*....ok, i have you enrolled in the gold challenge, stay 12 nights in the next 3 months."

i asked "what's the platinum challenge requirements?"

"18 nights in 3 mos"

"deal. enroll me in that, if you would please"

"ok, no problem, thanks for calling"

just that easy. they didn't require any verification of status on anything other program, seems like a bargain way to get to platinum well ahead of the 75 nights i'll be spending there.

I am silver elite now, and just asked for a Platinum challenge. Simply sent an email that said "my friend recently completed one and I am looking to do the same." 24 hours later, I got an email back saying I was approved, have to complete 18 nights before Sept. 30. I did notice that my status has not changed in my account yet, though. I check in at a property tonight, so I'll be curious to see how they identify me.

I've got almost all 18 of my nights booked, so I'm looking forward to keeping my platinum until 2/12.

Hi, so havent seen this posted anywhere, and I'm guessing the answer is no. Is it possible to do a retroactive challenge? I've stayed 6 nights in the past 2 weeks, and will be staying another 12 in the upcoming 4, so it would be fantastic if those prior 6 nights could count.

Any history and/or thoughts?

Asked for a challenge one week ago, answer within the day with a confirmation required and starting date of the challenge 4-5 days after the initial request => don't ask for it one day in advance

Very efficient online CS.

I just registered myself at the following site to get upgraded to gold and a chance to extend it till 2012 if I stay 8 nights within the next 90 days.

http://www.joinmarriottrewards.com/hsbc/en/

Though it says hsbc but it has nothing to do with it. Here is my confirmation and good luck..

===============
Congratulations! You�re registered to receive complimentary Gold Elite status for 90 days and a chance to enjoy Gold Elite membership until February 2012 if you complete 8 nights within the promotion period.

As a Gold Elite member, you will benefit from:

Room Upgrade*+
Guaranteed Lounge Access/Free Continental Breakfast***
Guaranteed Room Type 1
Free Internet Access ++
Exclusive Offers
25% Bonus on Marriott Rewards Base Points 3
Ultimate Reservation Guarantee+
Priority Late Checkout*2
Stay 8 nights at any of over 3,400 hotels worldwide, as a Gold Elite member within 90 days of joining and enjoy Gold Elite status until February 2012!

Enjoy 15% discount on the "Stay for Breakfast" rate at participating hotels in China and Hong Kong until 28 February 2011, check-in on a Friday or Saturday, minimum 2 nights. Make your reservations on www.Marriott.com, click "special rates & rewards" and enter promotional code D57 in the "Corporate/promotional code" box. Or call 400 888 5551 and quote promotional code XXBV.