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]
Jun 23, 2012, 9:27 am
#631
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
Platinum Challenge - 5 Nights Needed
I am a gold member currently enrolled in a platinum challenge (April 1 to June 30) and have 13 nights thus far. I travel fairly regularly, but won't have any business travel scheduled for the remainder of the month.
Is it worth it to spend the money for 5 nights to obtain platinum status through Feb 2014? Is there any other way to get credit for "nights" ie. meeting rooms? I live in California so the cheapest rate is a 2 hour drive away. Is there a way to pay for the room without actually being present?
If I don't pay for the additional nights, when is the next time I can do another challenge?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Is it worth it to spend the money for 5 nights to obtain platinum status through Feb 2014? Is there any other way to get credit for "nights" ie. meeting rooms? I live in California so the cheapest rate is a 2 hour drive away. Is there a way to pay for the room without actually being present?
If I don't pay for the additional nights, when is the next time I can do another challenge?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Jun 23, 2012, 9:40 am
#632
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
make it happen. The 25% (gold) vs. 50% (plat) bonus, plus plat checkin bonus is worth it right there. My suggestion would be to make the res, go check in and then after the 5 nights go check out. You don't need to be there during the week. No other way to get eligible nights, meeting "nights" don't count. If you don't finish it, the earliest you will be able to try again is next year (not sure if it's 12 months from now or January, but I think 12 months from now).
Jun 23, 2012, 10:59 am
#633
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
yes, only the nights actually stayed will count.
however, shouldn't it also depend on whether the OP will cross the plat threshold during the remaining calendar year through natural stay patterns? qualifying through Feb 14 by the challenge of course could free up opportunity to level up in other programs too if OP's travel schedule allows it.
however, shouldn't it also depend on whether the OP will cross the plat threshold during the remaining calendar year through natural stay patterns? qualifying through Feb 14 by the challenge of course could free up opportunity to level up in other programs too if OP's travel schedule allows it.
Jun 23, 2012, 2:05 pm
#634
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
OP, I guess it comes down to how much is the 5 nights going to cost you? You're checking rather close to the 6/30 deadline.
I would have suggested doing some weekend stays at the cheapest Marriott brand you could find last weekend & this upcoming weekend, along w/ 1 weeknight stay. But if you can't get that, then how much are a mixture of weekend nights next weekend and some weeknight stays this week going to cost? Can you afford it?
In hindsight it would have been better to check sooner rather than close to the deadline.
What Plat gets you is 50% vs 30%, Plat amenity gift, room override & a bit of better success with upgrades. As Gold, you already have exec lounge access.
If you can afford it & plan on staying at Marriotts a lot in '12 & '13, then go for it. If you can't quite afford to do the stays in such a short period of time/$$wise, then stick w/ Gold & wait a year to do it again. I think it's 12-months from when you did the original challenge, although that one I'm not sure.
Cheers.
I would have suggested doing some weekend stays at the cheapest Marriott brand you could find last weekend & this upcoming weekend, along w/ 1 weeknight stay. But if you can't get that, then how much are a mixture of weekend nights next weekend and some weeknight stays this week going to cost? Can you afford it?
In hindsight it would have been better to check sooner rather than close to the deadline.
What Plat gets you is 50% vs 30%, Plat amenity gift, room override & a bit of better success with upgrades. As Gold, you already have exec lounge access.
If you can afford it & plan on staying at Marriotts a lot in '12 & '13, then go for it. If you can't quite afford to do the stays in such a short period of time/$$wise, then stick w/ Gold & wait a year to do it again. I think it's 12-months from when you did the original challenge, although that one I'm not sure.
Cheers.
Jun 29, 2012, 9:24 am
#635
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
I signed up for a challenge in last week of May, does Marriott email me to let me know when my challenge is successfully completed?
Also, will I have status until 2013 or 2014?
Also, will I have status until 2013 or 2014?
Jun 29, 2012, 9:47 am
#636
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: Marriott Plat Premier, IHG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, SW A-Pref
Posts: 17
Just called the Marriott Rewards main number to ask for Platinum challenege and was given it with a verbal that I am Platinum with IGH Priority Club. 15 seconds later, I was given the challenge with only a 9 stay requirement, not 18. I checked to make sure this was right and that I wasn't being signed up for the "gold" challenge and she confirmed it was the Platinum challenege.
Not sure if this was a fluke for me or if Marriott is reducing their requirement????
Not sure if this was a fluke for me or if Marriott is reducing their requirement????
Jun 29, 2012, 2:21 pm
#637
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
Jun 29, 2012, 2:48 pm
#638
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
Just called the Marriott Rewards main number to ask for Platinum challenege and was given it with a verbal that I am Platinum with IGH Priority Club. 15 seconds later, I was given the challenge with only a 9 stay requirement, not 18. I checked to make sure this was right and that I wasn't being signed up for the "gold" challenge and she confirmed it was the Platinum challenege.
Not sure if this was a fluke for me or if Marriott is reducing their requirement????
Not sure if this was a fluke for me or if Marriott is reducing their requirement????
Jun 29, 2012, 8:48 pm
#639
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 105
Call back until you get a CSR who will help you. I was told no and kept trying until I got a yes.
Jul 2, 2012, 7:01 am
#640
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Starwood Gold
Posts: 126
I had my 18 nights all planned out, mostly as part of two long stays, called this AM to sign up for the challenge was told 9 stays.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Jul 3, 2012, 12:16 pm
#641
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: Marriott Gold, USAirways Gold
Posts: 103
I had my 18 nights all planned out, mostly as part of two long stays, called this AM to sign up for the challenge was told 9 stays.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Jul 3, 2012, 12:26 pm
#642
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
I had my 18 nights all planned out, mostly as part of two long stays, called this AM to sign up for the challenge was told 9 stays.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Does anyone know if there is an option to hqve 18 nights?
If not, there's no way I will hit this and may instead look at the SPG challenge.
Jul 3, 2012, 3:06 pm
#643
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Programs: AirTran A+ Elite, Marriott Rewards Plat, Rapid Rewards A List, National Exec, USAir Div Mil
Posts: 323
I was planning on doing the Gold challenge because it would have been too close for comfort to get 18 nights in, but I think I can do 9 stays from Early August - end of November to earn Platinum status. My stays will be one or two nights max so this would benefit me quite a bit.
Jul 3, 2012, 7:21 pm
#644
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SLC
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 61
Finished the Taste of Gold challenge in June. I received my Gold card today, go thru 2/2014 as promised. Thanks Marriott and Flyertalk!
Jul 3, 2012, 7:23 pm
#645
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
think you'll find that MRs will only give you 1 challenge per year so once you choose IMO you're going to be locked into your choice...........
I was planning on doing the Gold challenge because it would have been too close for comfort to get 18 nights in, but I think I can do 9 stays from Early August - end of November to earn Platinum status. My stays will be one or two nights max so this would benefit me quite a bit.
Last edited by BKKLEE; Jul 3, 2012 at 7:29 pm