Qualification for platinum
 

Being new to the Mariott rewards program this year, I'm close to platinum level however I will probably be like 3 or 4 nights short by the end of december. Does anyone know when the qualification for being a 2003 platinum ends. Is it 12/31/02?

Thanks.

BA Fan

http://www.Marriottrewards.com/terms/elite.asp

Agree. There is no indication that the 12/31/02 cutoff date will be extended. This year's circumstances are much different than in 2001.

BA Fan, with the winter specials going on now, it shouldn't cost much to do a "mattress run" at an inexpensive Fairfield or Towne Place Suites property. Given that you've got almost seven weeks left (and some darn good weekend offers going on), you should easily be able to score the remaining nights you need before the end of the year.

Give it some thought. I'm sure many of us here can offer recommendations. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Of course I knew about 'mileage run' but I hadn't heard about 'mattress run' yet.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BA Fan

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by TUFBEAR (edited 11-20-2002).]

TUFBEAR how for sure is it that Marriott will give elite status if it is less than five nights? I have 71 nights, but don't have revenue stays planned for the rest of the year, albeit I have numerous reward ngihts to be taken in December. I received the following email in response to the same question. I really don't feel like spending $200.00 on a mattress run. (4 nights at a fairfield).

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards.

If you do not quite get 75 nights by 12/31/02, please notify us in January 2003 to request that we review your account to determine the possibility of an exception.

We will review your account at that time.

We are always happy to assist you with your Marriott Rewards account.

Trevor S.
Marriott Rewards

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[This message has been edited by jk5598224 (edited 11-13-2002).]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by TUFBEAR (edited 11-20-2002).]

bring along someone else, it is so much more fun that way http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We've talked about it on this board for years that altho Marriott has the toughest requirements for status, its agents have the most leeway in giving the status to those who have fallen a few nights short.
I was given Black (now Gold) status two years in a row with 46 nights the first time and 48 the second simply by calling them and asking.

(Edited for clarity)

[This message has been edited by monitor (edited 11-14-2002).]

I was given Platinum this year even though I was 68 nights short http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif So anything is possible!

If you were 68 night short that means you stayed 7 nights to make platinum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Well done.

BA Fan

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by TUFBEAR (edited 11-20-2002).]

Woah! Calm down! Some programs comp status for free--I was comped Starwood Gold Status even though I have never spent a night in any starwood chain hotel (it was done automatically). Similarly, HHonors gave me elite status despite never staying at their properties. Because of this, it is not out of the question that Marriott Rewards would as well. My sister, who has never stayed at a Marriott Hotel under her own name, received free silver status through a US Airways partnership after achieving silver status on US. Maybe Marriott matches your elite stats, a US1=MR1, you never know!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by TUFBEAR (edited 11-20-2002).]

In your previous post, you said they dont give "nothin" for "nothin". Unfortunately, I provided a counterexample to this statement--the fact that my sister got silver for nothing, thus proving you WRONG. Now you are modifying your statement to "they don't give platinum away for nothing." Since you now have a history of lying, we have no reason to believe you. Obviously, you don't seem to have a clue about how Marriott does their marketing, since you keep changing your generalizations. I believe you are acting out of jealousy--the fact that you spent lots of money to earn it, and you are jealous and/or angry that pitflyer got it for next to nothing. Well, NEWSFLASH-airlines do it all the time--I could get high/midlevel tier status on any airline I choose because of the comping, so why can't hotels do it?

[This message has been edited by MaineFlyer16 (edited 11-16-2002).]

Experience has shown that altho Marriott is liberal with comps to Silver, it is very exceptional to get a comp to either of the higher levels. I'd like to have more detail from pitflyer.
To repeat, they don't comp but they do give you some play if you're a few nights short of qualifying.

I don't really give a **** if you believe me or not, but I was given Platinum this year even though I only had seven nights with Marriott last year. I assume one of two things: It's a computer glitch or it's because the company I worked for dumped Marriott and Marriott is still trying to hold onto us elites.

It didn't work, I instead went for Starwood Platinum, then Hilton Diamond (both still covered by my company). I will end this year with 12 nights at Marriott, will see what happens. Most of my stays are for their promotions or using the 2-for-1 Elite Exclusive Offers. I am still a fan of Marriott, but they are now third on my preference list after Starwood and Hilton.

Again, I don't think anyone should get their panties in a twist, but it did happen. It's as puzzling to me as to anyone else, and I remember early this year calling Marriott Rewards and going 'Are you sure I'm still Platinum?" and they said yes, and then puzzling over the welcome letter that says "Thanks for staying with us 75 nights last year".

Marriott is still by far the least likely to give people comped anything (aside from their promotions) and that is a GOOD thing, but if you think anything is written in stone in the frequent flier/stayer business, you really got a shock coming to you...

Marriott is pretty tough. I recently inquired to see if there was a way to get comped or take a challenge to attain an elite status with them. I have shown loyalty in the past (500k earned program points) but only 24 nights this year so far (although most were at full service, expensive Marriotts). The response I received was a resounding "no". (see below)

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards.

That challenge is only offered to members who were previously Gold and have
been downgraded.

In fairness to our most frequent stayers, elite levels in our program are
only achieved by personal nights stayed at Marriott Hotels 1/1 to 12/31 of
each year.

Silver elite level is 15 personal nights, Gold elite level is 50 personal
nights, and Platinum elite level is 75 personal nights.

Most of our Gold elite level (50 personal nights) members stay over 60
nights per year and most of our Platinum elite level (75 personal nights)
members stay over 100 nights per year. The demand for Gold and Platinum
elite level benefits such as concierge lounge (full service hotels, only,
excluding resorts), upgraded rooms, etc., is very high at hotels and not all
Gold and Platinum level members can be accommodated on every stay.

The Elite Membership benefits are not equal at each Marriott brand.

For Elite Membership benefits information, click here:
http://www.marriottrewards.com/Elite/default.asp.

We are always happy to assist you with your Marriott Rewards account.

Sincerely,

Trevor S.
Marriott Rewards

I'm switching to Starwood full time next year!

I also received PLATINUM at Marriot with minimal stays -- had spent more than 100 nights each of several previous years -- but company I work for dropped Marriott. Not sure why I remained Platinum, but didn't argue. Pretty much same experience as reported elsewhere on this forum.

I was also comped on Hilton and Starwood.

Hey DK, do you work for a large computer company? Like you, I took my Platinum status down the street to Starwood and Hilton and got comped there.

Based on your suggestion I started looking for specials so I'm now treating my wife to a weekend Monterey and being 2 credits closer to platinum. I'm still considering Priceline because I keep hearing mixed messages. I need to find my parents some accommodation so I book it in my name and if I get credit great, otherwise I'll doing a weekend San Francisco or so.

BA Fan http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by BA Fan (edited 11-18-2002).]