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 8, 2012, 2:38 pm
#871
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: US
Posts: 562
JUST WONDER IF platium challenge still allows 18 days or 20 days (within 3 months) instead of new 9 stays?
i am gold currently
i am gold currently
Sep 8, 2012, 6:25 pm
#873
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
+1 (but don't tell this to anyone in SoCal or BOS)............
I wouldn't push this issue too much. Technically, you should not have earned any points since YOU were not there. The loyalty program benefits are for YOUR stays and not anyone/everyone you know. Yes, the properties do mess up from time to time and there are tricks you can pull to make it happen more times than not. However, you need to be present to properly earn points/stay.
Sep 9, 2012, 11:18 am
#874
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: HH Gold, IHG, Platinum, MR platinum, Hyatt boycotted
Posts: 18
Taste of Platinum
So I just got the plat challenge this week thanks to you all, and wanted to taste it this weekend with my first booking. I'm so unimpressed. We stayed at the Renaissance Club Sport in Walnut Creek, CA. The workout facilities were nice, and the decor was fresh, and the room clean, but it didn't seem like they really cared that we were plat. First night we asked if there were any suites avail for upgrade, they said no they were booked, but that tomorrow they should have some. Next day my wife asked, and the front desk person told her "it's Saturday" and gave her a blank stare. My wife was like, what does that mean? Can you check if there are any available suites? He made an incredulous face at her and said "It's Saturday, of course we don't have suites available." My wife is a sweet little lady and she smiled and walked away, but I can't believe she was treated like that. The first night they offered a crib which was nice and they forgot to bring it, even after two calls. We finally told them to forget it. Front desk staff was unfriendly at best. Restaurant staff was excellent though! Last day we asked for late checkout just to see what they would say. They said no. Go figure. Maybe this is just a bad first experience, but I'm not really impressed with Marriott Platinum. I'll give them one more shot then stick with Hilton I guess.
Now time to start booking. Quick questions--do you guys know if the Marriott CC spend counts toward elite stays?
Sep 9, 2012, 12:57 pm
#875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
So I just got the plat challenge this week thanks to you all, and wanted to taste it this weekend with my first booking. I'm so unimpressed. We stayed at the Renaissance Club Sport in Walnut Creek, CA. The workout facilities were nice, and the decor was fresh, and the room clean, but it didn't seem like they really cared that we were plat. First night we asked if there were any suites avail for upgrade, they said no they were booked, but that tomorrow they should have some. Next day my wife asked, and the front desk person told her "it's Saturday" and gave her a blank stare. My wife was like, what does that mean? Can you check if there are any available suites? He made an incredulous face at her and said "It's Saturday, of course we don't have suites available." My wife is a sweet little lady and she smiled and walked away, but I can't believe she was treated like that. The first night they offered a crib which was nice and they forgot to bring it, even after two calls. We finally told them to forget it. Front desk staff was unfriendly at best. Restaurant staff was excellent though! Last day we asked for late checkout just to see what they would say. They said no. Go figure. Maybe this is just a bad first experience, but I'm not really impressed with Marriott Platinum. I'll give them one more shot then stick with Hilton I guess.
The funny thing is that we got more Plat recognition at IHG hotels, than Gold at Marriotts - even though IHG Plat is easy to get.
Sep 9, 2012, 1:25 pm
#876
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bern, Swiss-o-land
Programs: M&M (LX/LH) Silver, Marriott Platinum, Accor Silver, AF/KL Silver, Swiss Railway
Posts: 791
Fast track to Gold status
I just logged into my MR account and I see that although I only recently achieved Silver status, I am now a Gold member.
Is this a promotion or can the status upgrade be based on behaviour other than nights accrued?
Is this a promotion or can the status upgrade be based on behaviour other than nights accrued?
Sep 9, 2012, 1:41 pm
#877
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Helsinki (Finland)
Programs: IHG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 468
My experiences this far have been quite similar but being plat is not totally useless anyway. Some properties might be very reluctant to give upgrades at all but same property may to totally allright with giving late checkout for instance.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
Sep 9, 2012, 2:02 pm
#878
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Pres. Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 561
Did you contact Marriott for the elite challenge? You will need to meet a certain amount of nights usually in 90 days to qualify. See here for more info.
Sep 9, 2012, 2:16 pm
#879
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bern, Swiss-o-land
Programs: M&M (LX/LH) Silver, Marriott Platinum, Accor Silver, AF/KL Silver, Swiss Railway
Posts: 791
Did you contact Marriott for the elite challenge? You will need to meet a certain amount of nights usually in 90 days to qualify. See here for more info.
Logged in today to the MR website and somebody gave me credit for an additional 39 nights. My yearly total-to-date is 11 nights.
Sep 9, 2012, 2:44 pm
#880
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Also strange. I now show as Gold too. Nights are correct at 28. I have 9 more nights booked for the 10th-19th and am registered for the megabonus 2012 promo. But never signed up for challenge or anything to get gold faster. Not complaining as I like it if it is true.
Looks like Marriott put me in for taste of gold promo. To keep need 6 stays by end of year. Usually don't do too many stays but do 9 night stays so lots of nights. Already Diamond with Hilton for next year so maybe I'll concentrate on Marriott rest of this year and maybe get Platinum.
Looks like Marriott put me in for taste of gold promo. To keep need 6 stays by end of year. Usually don't do too many stays but do 9 night stays so lots of nights. Already Diamond with Hilton for next year so maybe I'll concentrate on Marriott rest of this year and maybe get Platinum.
Sep 9, 2012, 2:49 pm
#881
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Taste of Gold = 6 Stays.
Taste of Platinum = 9 stays.
Taste of Platinum = 9 stays.
Sep 9, 2012, 2:59 pm
#882
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 believe it has been reported elsewhere that MR had signed them up for a challenge without being asked (I think there was an eMail sent, but ignored). Unfortunately, MR rules say only one challenge in a year, so later in the year when the OP was expecting more travel asked for a challenge and was denied.
Enjoy your upgraded benefits.
Enjoy your upgraded benefits.
Sep 9, 2012, 5:25 pm
#883
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
My experiences this far have been quite similar but being plat is not totally useless anyway. Some properties might be very reluctant to give upgrades at all but same property may to totally allright with giving late checkout for instance.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
In the US I stayed at HI, Staybridges and Candlewood. Staybridges and Candlewood (both on PB which I don't entitled to any bennie), upgraded us without us saying a word - at Candlewood we even got a goodie bag (I don't care what it is but it's the thought that counts). They thanked Mr.Nacho for being a Plat etc. When I asked at HI, they gave me a bigger room.
At CP Copenhagen, upgrade was given again on PB with lounge access.
In Singapore, I got free breakfast and a big room as upgrade at HI and at CP I got their biggest King Suite plus 4pm check out. These are both free nights from BRG.
At Marriott - it's a hit and miss, you can score big upgrades if you can get a hold of the GM. Otherwise expect a 1 category upgrade and nothing else. Even when I asked sometimes, they said, 'no'. The most stable thing about Marriott is that we usually get the executive floor as an upgrade - it's fairly consistent.
Sep 9, 2012, 5:49 pm
#884
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
My experiences this far have been quite similar but being plat is not totally useless anyway. Some properties might be very reluctant to give upgrades at all but same property may to totally allright with giving late checkout for instance.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
But still, I agree with Nacho - IHG Plat has given me, too, better perks this far even if they (too) have been reported to be very inconsistent.
What I personally hate is that it seems that many properties, Marriott or IHG, only give some benefits if you ask, ask, ask. I don't want to do that, I want to be treated well without asking all the time or I will stay some place else. Yelling "come on, I'm Platinum, I'm important, give me SOME benefit at least" is not my style but that's seems to be the only style that works at some places.
Sep 9, 2012, 6:02 pm
#885
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: HH Gold, IHG, Platinum, MR platinum, Hyatt boycotted
Posts: 18
To get my 18 nights this summer, I stayed at the Renaissance Las Vegas (twice for a total of 12 nights - upgraded to top club floor both times), Fairfield Inn Old Town San Diego (1 night - 3rd floor, main building courtyard view), JW Camelback Inn Scottsdale (3 nights - upgraded to a large room with a 1000' sq. ft. private patio), Renaissance Indian Wells (2 nights - preassigned a corner room). I was upgrade or pre-assigned the best room everytime without asking (Indian Wells even emailed me 3 days before my stay that I was being upgraded to a corner room by the concierge). I was always recognized as Platinum at check-in. Always asked what amenity I wanted at check-in. All were on LNF rates. I found Marriott to be totally consistent (and I got a nice platinum amenity bag at check-in even at the Fairfield Inn...much more than the hand made package of gummi bears that I got at the Staybridge Suites NYC at as Platinum elite in May).