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]
#302
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,185
Gold challenge-gold perks-and Marriott metro center Washington dc
I'm going to call in for the gold challenge. During the gold challenge I'll be spending 2 nights at this hotel. I believe I'll be entitled to concierge lounge acces or breakfast. I'm staying 1/3/12 to 1/5/12 a Tuesday through Thursday.
Questions: What can I expect at this property? What is the breakfast like in the cl?
Thanks
Questions: What can I expect at this property? What is the breakfast like in the cl?
Thanks
#303
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
I'm going to call in for the gold challenge. During the gold challenge I'll be spending 2 nights at this hotel. I believe I'll be entitled to concierge lounge acces or breakfast. I'm staying 1/3/12 to 1/5/12 a Tuesday through Thursday.
Questions: What can I expect at this property? What is the breakfast like in the cl?
Thanks
Questions: What can I expect at this property? What is the breakfast like in the cl?
Thanks
#304
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,185
Thanks
So free breakfast in the lounge would really be worth the effort anyway. I appreciate the heads up.
#305
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,185
What about the concierge lounge in the evening?
What about the lounge in the evening at this property? I've noticed other threads describing various offerings in the CL in the evening.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#306
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: Marriott platinum
Posts: 296
I stayed at this property a couple of years ago on the weekend and the lounge was closed. It was open the last day of our trip but I recall the breakfast/evening offerings were pretty sparse. Nothing very memorable.
If you are doing the gold challenge specifically to get lounge access at this property, I'd wait and try another time when you'll be staying someplace else.
If you are doing the gold challenge specifically to get lounge access at this property, I'd wait and try another time when you'll be staying someplace else.
#307
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
Question re: gold/platinum challenge
I am currently a 2011 Gold (expiring 2/2012). Having tasted some of the good life of better-than-nominal-silver elite status, I am interested in this continuing. However, I won't end this year with 50 nights or anywhere really close to it.
I've seen posts about the gold 12 / platinum 18 challenge.
First, since I am still gold (i.e., through Feb 2012), would I be able to participate/initiate a challenge, since I know my status will expire in February?
As best as I understand it, if I want to do the Platinum challenge, I should call MR and assuming they let me do it:
-If I called in early/mid-January, I'd get through the end of April 2012 (i.e. 3 full calendar months plus any remaining days in January) to get the 18 nights, right?
-I'd immediately get Platinum status (including any related platinum perks/upgrades?) for the period regardless of whether I met the challenge (i.e., thru April)
-If I satisfied the challenge, I'd have platinum status through Dec 2012 and then the following year would have gold status through Dec 2013, right (soft landing)?
-Any types of rates not allowable in the challenge (government rate, other discount codes)? I assume free nights not included in challenge?
-Any other tips?
Thanks.
I've seen posts about the gold 12 / platinum 18 challenge.
First, since I am still gold (i.e., through Feb 2012), would I be able to participate/initiate a challenge, since I know my status will expire in February?
As best as I understand it, if I want to do the Platinum challenge, I should call MR and assuming they let me do it:
-If I called in early/mid-January, I'd get through the end of April 2012 (i.e. 3 full calendar months plus any remaining days in January) to get the 18 nights, right?
-I'd immediately get Platinum status (including any related platinum perks/upgrades?) for the period regardless of whether I met the challenge (i.e., thru April)
-If I satisfied the challenge, I'd have platinum status through Dec 2012 and then the following year would have gold status through Dec 2013, right (soft landing)?
-Any types of rates not allowable in the challenge (government rate, other discount codes)? I assume free nights not included in challenge?
-Any other tips?
Thanks.
#308
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: US CP, MR Plat, SPG Plat, HHonors Gold, National X
Posts: 917
To answer your questions, the best way i can:
1. You have to complete the nights in 90 days. I had a challenge last year and they didn't round it up to the end of the month (made it the last day).
2. Yes, given that you didn't have a challenge in the past 12 months. If you did, they can only provide a "manual challenge" that will yield you Plat when/if you complete it.
3. You will have status till February 2013. Soft landing is not a rule, but it is granted to members based on their past with Marriott. I wouldn't expect a soft landing, especially if i had earned my status through a challenge (Getting 2 years of elite status with 18 nights is a little bit greedy, don't you think..?? )
4. Have no idea about corporate rates, but my AAA rate worked just fine!! No award nights are taking into account and only actual nights count towards your challenge (i.e. can't do the event thing to get 10 nights).
5. Tips: You ll be Gold till the end of February 2012. So there is no rush to ask for a challenge, unless you have many stays scheduled in the first two months of 2012.
Good luck!!
1. You have to complete the nights in 90 days. I had a challenge last year and they didn't round it up to the end of the month (made it the last day).
2. Yes, given that you didn't have a challenge in the past 12 months. If you did, they can only provide a "manual challenge" that will yield you Plat when/if you complete it.
3. You will have status till February 2013. Soft landing is not a rule, but it is granted to members based on their past with Marriott. I wouldn't expect a soft landing, especially if i had earned my status through a challenge (Getting 2 years of elite status with 18 nights is a little bit greedy, don't you think..?? )
4. Have no idea about corporate rates, but my AAA rate worked just fine!! No award nights are taking into account and only actual nights count towards your challenge (i.e. can't do the event thing to get 10 nights).
5. Tips: You ll be Gold till the end of February 2012. So there is no rush to ask for a challenge, unless you have many stays scheduled in the first two months of 2012.
Good luck!!
#309
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
Nikolaos- Thanks for the reply. Very helpful. I'm thinking of doing the challenge early (even if it overlaps with my remaining Gold thru Feb2012) because that is when I know I'll be staying a bunch at Marriott-family hotels.
Actually, now that I think of it, do Ritz stays count towards the Marriott 12/18 challenge nights? I hope so! I had assumed yes, but if someone can confirm, I'd appreciate it.
Actually, now that I think of it, do Ritz stays count towards the Marriott 12/18 challenge nights? I hope so! I had assumed yes, but if someone can confirm, I'd appreciate it.
#310
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TX
Posts: 2,734
If you start a challenge on July 1st, 2012 and complete it, you will have Platinum until 2/2014. You get bumped up to Platinum the day you start your challenge.
Last edited by docr775; Dec 22, 2011 at 8:14 pm
#311
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
not always as there are 2-ways they do the challenge -- immediate or after you complete the requirements of the challenge........... but the big question is, why would you not start the challenge on 01 Jan??
Last edited by BKKLEE; Dec 22, 2011 at 8:52 pm
#312
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TX
Posts: 2,734
Just like airline status, if you do a challenge at the beginning of the year, you get status for the rest of the year. However if you do not fully qualify, you lose status at the beginning of the following year. For example: if you do the 12 nights required for a gold challenge between January and February, you will get gold status for the rest of the year, however you have to get your 50 nights by December 31st to keep gold for the following year. If you start a challenge in July, you get gold for the rest of the current year AND the following year. I signed up for a Gold challenge on August 1st of this year and completed it by the end of the month. My gold card expires 2/13.
#313
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IL
Programs: Marriott rewards Platinum
Posts: 20
You can do the challenges once every 12 months. Based on that here is my scenario which seems to be a good way to time it (I think)
I am in the middle of the platinum challenge (18 nights in 90 days). I started around Oct 17th and have until Jan 31st to complete.
After I complete it I will have platinum status until at least the end of Feb 2013. If I don't make the 75 nights in 2012 to keep platinum status, I would lose it March 1 2013. The key is that you can do the challenges once every 12 months. So if you don't make the status level following a challenge you can always restart the challenge after you lose it.
In my case if I don't make platinum in 2012 with 75 nights, I will re start the challenge in March 2013 when I would lose platinum status anyway. By timing it this way you should be able to keep whatever challenge status you go with fairly consistently (unless Marriott takes away the challenges in the future)
I hope that helps and if someone sees a flaw in my scenario please let me know
J
I am in the middle of the platinum challenge (18 nights in 90 days). I started around Oct 17th and have until Jan 31st to complete.
After I complete it I will have platinum status until at least the end of Feb 2013. If I don't make the 75 nights in 2012 to keep platinum status, I would lose it March 1 2013. The key is that you can do the challenges once every 12 months. So if you don't make the status level following a challenge you can always restart the challenge after you lose it.
In my case if I don't make platinum in 2012 with 75 nights, I will re start the challenge in March 2013 when I would lose platinum status anyway. By timing it this way you should be able to keep whatever challenge status you go with fairly consistently (unless Marriott takes away the challenges in the future)
I hope that helps and if someone sees a flaw in my scenario please let me know
J
#314
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Platinum,Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 215
Just like airline status, if you do a challenge at the beginning of the year, you get status for the rest of the year. However if you do not fully qualify, you lose status at the beginning of the following year. For example: if you do the 12 nights required for a gold challenge between January and February, you will get gold status for the rest of the year, however you have to get your 50 nights by December 31st to keep gold for the following year. If you start a challenge in July, you get gold for the rest of the current year AND the following year. I signed up for a Gold challenge on August 1st of this year and completed it by the end of the month. My gold card expires 2/13.
#315
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 3
Sorry for the newbie question, but is it common practice for MR to award a challenge any time it is requested? I am currently silver, but I have every night until the beginning of February booked in a Marriott hotel, so I was hoping to call tomorrow morning and be given a platinum challenge to get those benefits for these stays. If I start one of the stays tonight, is it possible that they will give me the bonus points for that stay even though it will have already started when the challenge is requested?
Thanks in advance for all of your help
Thanks in advance for all of your help