Apr 27, 2016, 10:15 am
Last edit by: mediator
Taste of Gold/Platinum
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
You are given gold/platinum status for 90 days, and you must complete a certain number of nights/stays to retain that status for the remainder of the year plus the following year. This promotion is targeted only.
Road to Gold/Platinum (a.k.a. Gold/Platinum Challenge)
Currently, this will allow you to move up one level with a shortened stay criteria. You have 90 days to complete 6/9 stays to receive Gold/Platinum status. If you do no qualify, you are eligible to start another challenge one year and one day after the 90th day of the challenge you just did. When you sign up, the MR CSR should tell you the date you are eligible to do another challenge.
FAQ
Q: What qualifies as a stay?
A: One paid night at a Marriott-brand (including Ritz-Carlton Hotels) hotel. Cash+points rate does not qualify. SPG hotels does not qualify (as of 03/2017). Some exclusions may apply, someone please help fill this in.
Q: Can I simply book multiple, consecutive one-night stays at the same hotel?
A: No.
Q: Can I jump between multiple Marriotts in the area?
A: Yes. As long as you book at least one night at each property. Special care must be taken if the Marriott properties are next to each other. They may share the same back-office. While you may book one night at each property on consecutive nights, which should count as two stays, it may only count as one stay. A call to Marriott Rewards should split them up correctly.
Q: Can I book multiple nights at different properties for the same night to get multiple stay credits?
A: No. Regardless how many different places you book for the same night, it all counts as one stay.
Q: Can I sign up for both Gold and Platinum Challenges at the same time?
A: No. Only one challenge per year.
Q: I'm Silver, can I do the Platinum challenge?
A: No. This is only a one-level promotion. You are only eligible for the Gold challenge.
Q: Can a non-elite do the Gold Challenge
A: No. Must be Silver.
Q: I just completed my 6th/9th stay. When should I see my new status?
A: Good job! Your new status should appear after your 6th/9th stay posts to your account.
Q: Can I book a meeting to get a stay credit?
A: No. You will only receive 10 night credits, not a stay credit.
"Taste of Gold/Platinum" promotion and Platinum challenge [Merged threads]
Sep 24, 2017, 4:26 am
#2401
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NRW / Germany
Programs: LH FTL
Posts: 186
Thanks! How does Marriott treat bookings for more than one room? Will they all count like with SPG?
Sep 24, 2017, 4:42 am
#2402
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: HH-D; MR-P/LTP; SPG-P
Posts: 849
Stay credits for 1 room (and not all properties provide 1 night stay for each night as the service apts and I think one other brand require 3 or 4 nights to get one nights stay credit) but points to a max of 3 (technically both reservation and payment must be solely yours)
Sep 25, 2017, 9:01 am
#2403
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NRW / Germany
Programs: LH FTL
Posts: 186
Thanks! Just signed up to the platinum challenge via phone. Challenge starts tomorrow and ends 31/12 I was told. Assuming a reach 9 stays here - how long will the status be granted?
Sep 25, 2017, 9:51 am
#2404
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Is Platinum status worth $400-$450?
I'm currently Marriott Gold (due to AMEX Plat) and have five planned stays within the next couple of months. The "Road to Platinum" challenge is nine stays within 90 days...so I could pretty easily spend an additional $450 or so on mattress run type stays to complete the challenge.
Is it worth the money to do that? In any given year I would spend 20 nights or so in Marriott/Starwood hotels. I think the value would be in the matching SPG Platinum but I welcome opinions from the Marriott/Starwood regulars as I'm switching this year from Hilton to Marriott/Starwood.
Is it worth the money to do that? In any given year I would spend 20 nights or so in Marriott/Starwood hotels. I think the value would be in the matching SPG Platinum but I welcome opinions from the Marriott/Starwood regulars as I'm switching this year from Hilton to Marriott/Starwood.
Sep 26, 2017, 1:46 am
#2405
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 335
I'm currently Marriott Gold (due to AMEX Plat) and have five planned stays within the next couple of months. The "Road to Platinum" challenge is nine stays within 90 days...so I could pretty easily spend an additional $450 or so on mattress run type stays to complete the challenge.
Is it worth the money to do that? In any given year I would spend 20 nights or so in Marriott/Starwood hotels. I think the value would be in the matching SPG Platinum but I welcome opinions from the Marriott/Starwood regulars as I'm switching this year from Hilton to Marriott/Starwood.
Is it worth the money to do that? In any given year I would spend 20 nights or so in Marriott/Starwood hotels. I think the value would be in the matching SPG Platinum but I welcome opinions from the Marriott/Starwood regulars as I'm switching this year from Hilton to Marriott/Starwood.
at both JW I was upgraded from the cheapest room to suite which have around $200 difference in rate and at the Westin was upgraded to the premium room which is only around $50 difference
so I would say I have enjoyed $450 in upgrade for 3 stays so far, not including the free breakfast at Westin which you will not get as a SPG Gold
Sep 26, 2017, 6:22 pm
#2406
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 79
I'm currently doing the Platinum 9 Stay Challenge. My wife will be travelling for a couple of conferences in the coming weeks. Would booking her room under my Marriott account count towards a stay eventhough I'm not physically there?
Sep 26, 2017, 7:25 pm
#2407
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Cheers.
Sep 27, 2017, 7:30 am
#2408
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
Also, keep in mind, if the stay does book to your account AND should MR have reason to audit the stay (say having reading a post on some random blog like FT), you could lose credit after it's too late to make it up. DO NOT PLAN on it counting and make sure you've EARNED the challenge.
Sep 27, 2017, 9:03 pm
#2409
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Is it worth the money to do that? In any given year I would spend 20 nights or so in Marriott/Starwood hotels. I think the value would be in the matching SPG Platinum but I welcome opinions from the Marriott/Starwood regulars as I'm switching this year from Hilton to Marriott/Starwood.
Oct 3, 2017, 7:10 am
#2410
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: Marriott Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Continental One Pass, AA Advantage
Posts: 2
I have done that with my husband. I book the room and add his name to the reservation. I have never had a problem and I always get credit for the stay.
Oct 6, 2017, 9:57 am
#2411
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 79
Taking Platinum Challenge at end of year
I just started traveling for business this week, so I don't have any status yet anywhere.
I'm pretty sure that by the end of the year I can get enough nights for gold between this year's work trips, earlier vacations, and signing up for the Marriott credit card.
Once I hit gold, I'm thinking I can apply for the platinum challenge in December, and then I would be able to complete it by the 2nd week of January. After that, I should be able to use it to get United silver and save myself a few months of not having any status at all.
You guys see any problem with the plan? Also - is it even worth the $85 fee from the credit card to get Marriott platinum and United silver early? I'm not sure the best way to work out the value.
My other thought, would be to take the gold challenge, have that knocked out in a couple of weeks; and then just get platinum the long way next year.
I'm pretty sure that by the end of the year I can get enough nights for gold between this year's work trips, earlier vacations, and signing up for the Marriott credit card.
Once I hit gold, I'm thinking I can apply for the platinum challenge in December, and then I would be able to complete it by the 2nd week of January. After that, I should be able to use it to get United silver and save myself a few months of not having any status at all.
You guys see any problem with the plan? Also - is it even worth the $85 fee from the credit card to get Marriott platinum and United silver early? I'm not sure the best way to work out the value.
My other thought, would be to take the gold challenge, have that knocked out in a couple of weeks; and then just get platinum the long way next year.
Last edited by flandery; Oct 6, 2017 at 10:03 am Reason: Added more detail
Oct 6, 2017, 12:43 pm
#2412
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,787
Just signed up for the platinum challenge. Since I have until the end of January to complete the challenge, I'm wondering if there is any advantage to do my 9th stay in Jan. Would that extend my status to the end of 2019? or would it be end of 2018 regardless of when I complete the challenge?
Since Marriott doesn't provide breakfast at resorts, it would be nice to get my status early since I was thinking of staying at some SPG resorts in the beginning of the year. But I don't want to do it if it would mean one less year of platinum.
Since Marriott doesn't provide breakfast at resorts, it would be nice to get my status early since I was thinking of staying at some SPG resorts in the beginning of the year. But I don't want to do it if it would mean one less year of platinum.
Oct 6, 2017, 1:25 pm
#2413
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
I would personally try to get Plat sooner just so I can earn more points on my stays. I'd also get the Marriott card as I'd earn more points and can get status faster. The points you can get for signing up and meeting the spend requirement are also worth more than $85.
I can't speak to whether there are any problems with your plan, though, as I haven't done the status challenges before.
I can't speak to whether there are any problems with your plan, though, as I haven't done the status challenges before.
Oct 6, 2017, 3:16 pm
#2414
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
When I signed up earlier this week, the agent told me outright that it would expire in Jan 31 of 2019, once I hit the requirements.
Oct 9, 2017, 7:39 am
#2415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
Well, this is a tad annoying...
I sent an email about 6 weeks ago about status match to another program, and have patiently waited for the reply which came today declining the status match.
I was told about the Gold Challenge, literally 2 days after just completing what would have been 2 stays towards the 6 stays required for Gold... *Harumph*
I sent an email about 6 weeks ago about status match to another program, and have patiently waited for the reply which came today declining the status match.
I was told about the Gold Challenge, literally 2 days after just completing what would have been 2 stays towards the 6 stays required for Gold... *Harumph*