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Platinum Status in Eight Days and $800 - No Stays Required

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Old Dec 30, 2015, 10:18 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: rustykettel
Ten (10) Elite Nights are given for each meeting held in a participating hotel under the "Rewarding Events" program. See below for non-participating brands. Information about the Rewarding Events program may be found at https://www.marriott.com/meeting-eve...els/rewards.mi

The 10 elite nights per meeting are independent of any hotel rooms booked in conjunction with the meeting. In fact, no hotel rooms have to be booked as part of the meeting in order to receive credit for 10 elite nights.

Although the Rewarding Events webpage refers to room nights for meeting participants, the most important section is the one that states 10 Elite Nights, regardless if you or your guest is paying for it

In general, a written contract is required (or should be obtained). In many cases, the meeting is booked through a central Marriott group sales office instead of directly with a hotel. If booked through a central Marriott group sales office, there is a three-page contract that makes reference to the Rewarding Events program on page 2 of the agreement. A MR member number should be included in this area of the contract by the group sales office.

FAQs:

Q: What brands participate in the Rewarding Events program?
A: AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, Delta Hotels by Marriott, EDITION, Element, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Marriott, Gaylord Hotels, JW Marriott, LeMéridien, The Luxury Collection, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, St. Regis, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, & Westin.
Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites, & Marriott Executive Apartments do not participate in the program.

Q: How do I find a hotel that participates?
A: Click on the link to the Rewarding Events page and then in the "Plan" section of the page click on the "Find a Hotel" box. Enter the city you'd like to have your meeting in, purpose of event (Business) and then check the "I need meeting/event space" box. Enter the size of your meeting (2 attendees should work) and then click the "Find" box. Leave the start date and end date blank. A list of potential hotels will be shown. The smallest meeting room is not usually shown online --- you may need to call each hotel to find out which one has a boardroom or other small meeting room. Once you've found a small meeting room, then request a quote online.

Q: How quickly will Marriott respond with a quote?
A: Usually within a day or two --- and usually via email. The email should contain a telephone number of the group sales contact. Give them a call and tell them you'd like to follow up on the quote and you're interested in booking the smallest room available for a 2 person meeting for an hour. If they quote a price that's higher than you want to pay, ask them if they can get approval for a lower priced meeting (e.g., a recent quote was for $75 for an 8 hour use of a CY boardroom). They accepted a counter of $50 for a one-hour meeting in the room (plus service charge plus local sales tax). Urban hotels may charge significantly higher rates for meeting space than a smaller, less congested city.

Q: Is a contract required?
A: The terms of the program suggest "yes" --- although there are reports that 10 elite nights have been granted without contracts. A best practice would be to obtain a contract.

Q: How long do points and EQNs take to post after the event is over?
A: Generally, this takes 3+ business days. According to Marriott, it can take 15 business days. If you do not see anything post after 15 business days, contact the hotel before contacting Marriott customer support. The hotel has to be the one to post it.

You will get an e-mail with a subject line Your Rewarding Events Award has Posted: EVENT NAME

Q: Will the hotel know what I am talking about when I say points and elite night credits?
A: Probably not. They may know about the rewarding events points being 3x per dollar spent, but not always. Usually they know of only the Marriott system (Group Posting Tool) where they input how much you spent and when. This is done after the event and is usually authorized by the sales or general manager.

Q: The contract doesn't say anything about points, will I still earn them?
A: YMMV but so far all the electronic contracts from the website state it, but some fail to read it. The paper contracts usually talk about points, but some reports that they don't, but still post. Remember this is a Marriott Rewards benefit that the hotels don't seem to be footing the bill for.
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Platinum Status in Eight Days and $800 - No Stays Required

 
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Old Aug 5, 2018, 2:18 pm
  #2896  
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,016
Originally Posted by mgkelly
Booked a meeting through the website 28July - the folio they sent me doesnt have my MR number on there (yet I booked through my profile)...does this mean they havent processed it correctly.
No nights posted to my account yet should I hold on or start chasing?
probably worth calling the hotel tomorrow just to confirm. i've never booked without a contract, so can't speak directly to how that works--all my folios had my MR number on them.
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Old Aug 5, 2018, 2:30 pm
  #2897  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
Originally Posted by karenkay
discussed upthread, and also on the SPG site. i'm looking for a source for you, but this is correct info. you have to make status each year for SNA's.

edit to add: found a link to it on the marriott insiders site...would be an easy google search if you're so inclined.
Thanks. I guess I researched poorly because I misunderstood that part.. I'm curious what is the main reason people are chasing lifetime platinum status then? Breakfast? Possible upgrades? Sure you don't have to earn status ever year that will allow you to possibly qualify for upgrades, but you still aren't guaranteed to get one

Last edited by DealAddict; Aug 5, 2018 at 2:58 pm
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Old Aug 5, 2018, 3:22 pm
  #2898  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA plt 2 mm, Marriott LTT, HH dia
Posts: 1,215
Originally Posted by DealAddict
Thanks. I guess I researched poorly because I misunderstood that part.. I'm curious what is the main reason people are chasing lifetime platinum status then? Breakfast? Possible upgrades? Sure you don't have to earn status ever year that will allow you to possibly qualify for upgrades, but you still aren't guaranteed to get one
Well, every person will give you a different answer to that question. Over the years, when things go wrong when traveling, having status has helped me out a lot. Basically, it gets me priority service with the airline, hotel, and potentially the car rental agency. The shorter lines involved are a big perk as well.

But lately companies are charging extra for perks that used to be free to everyone. Many times people with high status still get those perks for free. My company has saved thousands of dollars because I get 2 free bags with AA now. With Marriott, they don't have to pay for my breakfast, which adds up. I flew on United for the first time in years, and they didn't have to pay for my bag fee on United because Marriott gave me United Silver status. When I go on vacation in Europe or Asia, breakfast can be a lot more expensive there. So that is something that saves me money. Finally, if I don't need to travel for a while, LT status prevents my Marriott points from expiring.

So in summary, I go for lifetime status because of the advantages it gives me when travel plans go wrong, and the money it saves by giving free perks.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 7:59 am
  #2899  
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
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Originally Posted by RogerD408
Your response does not address any of the issues posed.
Originally Posted by DealAddict
Not sure what you mean? I am using AMEX points to cover the cost of those meetings, so for me cost is not an issue (well, up to a reasonable amount, which is why I scoured for cheap meetings). given that LTP gives you annual suite night upgrades, it will be worth it...
Have you done the math with your LT nights? How many do you have, both before platinum was "purchased" (if you can) and now? If all they did was bump your status then you lost those nights to get you closer to LT status.

Also, as stated already, SNAs are only issued based up nights per year and not LT status. So only those stay over 50/75 nights a year will get SNAs regardless of LT status.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 8:08 am
  #2900  
xar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Starriott Plat Premier
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by RogerD408
Have you done the math with your LT nights? How many do you have, both before platinum was "purchased" (if you can) and now? If all they did was bump your status then you lost those nights to get you closer to LT status.

Also, as stated already, SNAs are only issued based up nights per year and not LT status. So only those stay over 50/75 nights a year will get SNAs regardless of LT status.
Hi Roger, Actually will i get SNA if i did get credit from 8 meetings done before Aug 18? (i.e +80 nights)
this should bump me from gold to plat & plat premier in the new programme.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 8:53 am
  #2901  
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Originally Posted by xar
Hi Roger, Actually will i get SNA if i did get credit from 8 meetings done before Aug 18? (i.e +80 nights)
this should bump me from gold to plat & plat premier in the new programme.
That is another unknown, it as been said that you must cross the tier, either 50 or 75 with stays in order to get the SNAs and that having more, even if caused by merging your accounts, that it would not work. Many are hoping that is wrong, but here we are dealing with a first-year-only issue so I don't hold a lot of expectations they will program for it. If it doesn't happen, you may be able to call in to get the SNA credit and after the first dozen or so calls MPG will find a way to do a special sweep. But lots of considerations, do they only do retro credit for MR accounts since they've never had the opportunity to earn SNAs. What about SPG members that now are over 50/75, and those that have already received 10 SNAa at 50? Should they also get another 5 for crossing 75 after the merge? The thinking is SPG members that got their 10 SNAs at 50 will get another 5 at 75, how is that fair to the MR members? Oh, and let's not forget about those that maintain separate accounts, should they be able to get 10 SNAs in their MR account and 15 SNAs in their SPG account? I think you can see the can of worms they have to deal with here.

Stay tuned as things develop and let's hope it works out to our benefit.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 9:08 am
  #2902  
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,670
Originally Posted by DealAddict
Thanks. I guess I researched poorly because I misunderstood that part.. I'm curious what is the main reason people are chasing lifetime platinum status then? Breakfast? Possible upgrades? Sure you don't have to earn status ever year that will allow you to possibly qualify for upgrades, but you still aren't guaranteed to get one
Platinum status is the new gold status. All of the basic pre-merger gold benefits like breakfast, lounge access, minor chances at free upgrades, etc... that's why.
The SNAs are nice to have but not a necessity in my opinion. You can always upgrade using points.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 1:22 pm
  #2903  
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Originally Posted by izzik
Platinum status is the new gold status. All of the basic pre-merger gold benefits like breakfast, lounge access, minor chances at free upgrades, etc... that's why.
I would say Plat status is the OLD Gold status.
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margarita girl is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2018, 4:16 pm
  #2904  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
Originally Posted by RogerD408
Have you done the math with your LT nights? How many do you have, both before platinum was "purchased" (if you can) and now? If all they did was bump your status then you lost those nights to get you closer to LT status.

Also, as stated already, SNAs are only issued based up nights per year and not LT status. So only those stay over 50/75 nights a year will get SNAs regardless of LT status.
I had only 45. It didn't seem to change with the purchase of Platinum status. I booked a ton of meetings though so I will still have enough for LT, assuming they post correctly.
DealAddict is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2018, 4:20 pm
  #2905  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
Originally Posted by izzik
Platinum status is the new gold status. All of the basic pre-merger gold benefits like breakfast, lounge access, minor chances at free upgrades, etc... that's why.
The SNAs are nice to have but not a necessity in my opinion. You can always upgrade using points.
Which hotels allow you to upgrade using points or do you have to do it over phone? When you book on marriott.com , you are typically required to pay a cash supplement, I've never seen an option to uprgrade with points, or very limited cases (i.e JW Marriott, Ritz). I know with Starwood, you can book suites on points, but you have to do it over the phone

Last edited by DealAddict; Aug 6, 2018 at 4:39 pm
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 7:53 pm
  #2906  
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PIT
Programs: AS Peon
Posts: 201
Alright, stupid question, but I have a hotel that has been working with me perfectly (responded same day to my email, set up 6 meetings no issue for super cheap, etc) so I don't want to screw this up. What am I supposed to put as "title" on the contract? Just "Manager" or something along those lines? I feel like a dumbass for having to ask but I don't want to give them a reason for not being able to confirm the meetings for this week...

Edit: And I'm filling out multiple contracts, each with different dates, etc. But they all have the same reference number at the top. And I only got one email for providing card info. Is this correct for still getting credited with 10 night for each meeting?

Edit again: Based on a comment earlier in the thread, looks like I need 6 unique reference numbers. Wonder how I can ask for that without being very obvious that I'm fishing for nights...

Last edited by emag_eh7; Aug 6, 2018 at 8:28 pm
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 8:13 pm
  #2907  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 502
Originally Posted by DealAddict
I'm curious what is the main reason people are chasing lifetime platinum status then? Breakfast? Possible upgrades?
ive been wondering that with amusement as i have watched this thread over the past couple of months. the lengths some are going (and spending in time and $$$) to get some powdered eggs and maybe a slightly larger corner room is insane. A serious traveler (someone who could really make the benefits worthwhile) would already reach plat each year on their own (that's if they havent reached lifetime already). The folks going for this just to use for possibly a few vacations each year...it just does not seem like a very worthwhile use of time and cash to chase this down.

Of course, i say all this as a lifetime plat. for several years at this point.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 8:50 pm
  #2908  
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
I did 2 meetings to jump from P to PP for 2019. Cost $250, and I'm likely to pick the free night for my 75night benefit, which I value around $200. So $50 for an extra 25% in bonus earnings and maybe a better upgrade rate? I'll break even at worse, I think.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 9:02 pm
  #2909  
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Originally Posted by swintec
ive been wondering that with amusement as i have watched this thread over the past couple of months. the lengths some are going (and spending in time and $$$) to get some powdered eggs and maybe a slightly larger corner room is insane. A serious traveler (someone who could really make the benefits worthwhile) would already reach plat each year on their own (that's if they havent reached lifetime already). The folks going for this just to use for possibly a few vacations each year...it just does not seem like a very worthwhile use of time and cash to chase this down.
Or those who spend time in hotels but would be unable to hit a spend threshold should that be incorporated (as was rumored to be in the mix for 2019). I'm sure spend levels, should that make it's way into the qualification criteria, would be higher than anyone is spending on meetings to gain LT status.
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Old Aug 6, 2018, 9:07 pm
  #2910  
xar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Starriott Plat Premier
Posts: 258
Thanks @RogerD408 for the explanation which give me a better understanding.

To recap on what I have done so far..
1. Got a nomination from a friend which gave me SPG Gold Status. ($50)
2. Matched my SPG Gold to obtain MR Gold.
3. Booked 8 Meetings to get MR Plat which should translate to the "new" Platinum Elite after 18 Aug. (with SNAs) ($800)
> $850

In retrospec, this looks like an "expensive" lesson for me. I should have done the following instead,
1. Sign up as a new MR Member.
2. Book 5 meetings to get MR Gold. (assume they all post on time) ($500)
3. Wait for 18th Aug which should upgrade my status to the new Platinum.
> $500

In case there are people lurking and still considering (FYI 10 days left!) dont make the same mistake as me.
xar is offline  


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