I never said that 1.2 million MR points was not possible, I just said that it was a LOT (bodacious means a lot or large or great, or similar) of points to accumulate in one year. Further, although you may think that $80,000 in hotel expenditures in a year is not much, it would amount to approx. 300 nights per year at an average of $267 per night, or 150 nights per year at an average of $534 per night, both of which are far, far above the numbers for even a "high" spend Plat member, which I would guess (a guess does not mean fact) to be 150 nights/year at average of $200/night, or just $30K or so of hotel spending per year. (EDIT ADD: 365 nights/year at $200/night would not equal $80K per year in hotel spending.)

Additionally, just because MR rules do not allow both RC and MR membership, does not mean that there are not people who have both, either on purpose or because they are not aware of that rule, as I am sure a lot of people are not aware of that particular rule.

Finally, MI may have previously allowed membership in both programs. When RC was more separated from the other MI brands, it was not possible for MR members to earn points at RC, only to spend points at RC. Therefore, at the time of the recent greater integration of RC with the other MI brands, MI MAY have grandfathered some people/accounts in both MR and RC, rather than making them combine accounts.

Again, I never said that it was not possible, I just said that it was a lot. Even the most determined of the slightly daffy points whores among us (yes, we are all points whores to some degree) might be awestruck at what it would take to accumulate 322,500 points from signing up for NEW credit cards, plus, that is not something you could do every year, is it? How many cards in total (and type) did you sign up for to get all those CC sign up points?
(No need to tell us how many cards for you and how many for your wife, etc., just the number of cards overall.)

Buying 150K in points is also a bit unusual, isn't it? The average frequent traveler does not purchase even 10% of your point buying in any one year, and in my case, which I would guess is closer to average, ever (meaning not buying a total of 15K in points in the time since they have been a member of any one program).

The hotel stay points would be high, but hardly unusual, since 540K in points from hotel stays represents about $27,088 in hotel spending for a Plat member using a MR Visa at 20 points per $ spent (base points + 50% Plat bonus + MR Visa hotel spending = 20 points/$)

No matter how you cut it 2tall, your combined unusual factors probably put you in a group of 1/2 of 1% of MR members.
(Please notice that I did not say "a group of 1/2 of 1% MR revenue generators.")

SPG now has four levels of Plat, where 100+ nights means you get an Ambassador as well as an extra point per dollar spend, 10 Suite Night Upgrades, 4pm checkout, free Internet, breakfast or points or gift, and Starwood's not very useful version of 24 hour check in/out.

It's MR's way to keep us looking at Marriott wondering when... Weak marketing technique, but appears to be working. :(

I'm quite the whore - I'm the same guy that racked up 1 million AA miles in ~6 months. The Marriott lifetime goal has been a larger challenge but with the new changes, that's falling into place too.


This bit is actually really tame compared to my AA churn of 40 CCs. I signed up for only 6 cards, two to start and 2 more every 6 months. Nothing special at all. On two of the deals I was able to bump the bonus from 50k to 70k but otherwise they've been the basic sign up bonus.

Speaking of - if anyone knows how I can sign up my wife to get a CC then get the points to me (anyone?) I'm all ears. So far I've only found that cards in my name give me points.

When going for lifetime status (which is of course what this thread is about), no. Otherwise, maybe, maybe not. $625 for 50k is 1.23 cpp which is still worthwhile for a redemptions at the Moscow Ritz or the NYC Ritz, among others. Not cheap but definitely worth it if you plan right.

Somewhere between $36k and $30k in actual hotel spending (Hotel stay divided by 15 or CC - Marriott divided by 5). They're not the same number due to various things, but its in the ballpark.


Unusual ways to accumulate points and miles are what FT is all about ;)

That said, most of this really isn't all that unusual or a stretch to accomplish. Looking at it a little differently:

These I would get anyway (have to travel for work), I just made sure to plan appropriately and maximize the return:
541,766 Hotel Stay
150,462 Spend - Marriott
40,000 Bonus - Promotion

This was simply taking advantage of what was already out there:
322,500 Bonus - CC Signup

This was simply an attempt to hit LTP as quickly as possible, and makes sense if you redeem intelligently:
150,000 Point Buy

This was a conscious choice to spend with my Marriott card vs another card. I will grant you this part may be a little "unusual" as, at 1 point per dollar for "other", I spent $100,000 last year or so (combination of personal spending (minority) and reimbursed spending when on my trips (majority):
108,012 Spend - Other
38,137 Spend - Air / Car / Dining


In my view, anyone should be able to manage the first three sections above to maximize miles. The last section may or may not make sense, depending on what the person is going for (might want to spend that on other stuff).

I only wish my company let me buy my own plane tickets. I'd easily be another 200,000 points for the past year.

As I grew up hearing all the time
Go ahead and open the accounts in your wife's name (and child's for that matter) and use the points as you please. Doing the outbound from one account and the return from another works just fine.

T&C for marriott says only way I can have her points used with mine is to redeem across both accounts; I can't send her points to me or vice versa. Is there some other way to do it?

One option is using UR points I think, but once they are Marriott they stay Marriott (as far as I know - would like to find out I'm wrong).

Shift, double clutch...

I was speaking of AA as that was the paragraph right before your request.

As for Marriott, a stay does not need to be a single rez, it is possible for her to make a rez and then add your name to it. Of course there is no verification that she is the actual person booking the rez online and you can put your name in the comments. I doubt anyone would question a husband/wife use. Unfortunately, reward stays do not count for status credit for stays under either account nor would points transferred count for status or LT credit.

Unless they have changed the T&C's - I have transferred Mr Sophie's points to my account multiple times without issue.

I had points transferred into my MR account from a friend just three days ago. It is not terribly complicated, and MR will do it, although it is not listed anywhere in the rules, as far as I know.

In order to do a points transfer, the person receiving points has to have an awards rez in the system, without an electronic certificate issued for it. Once the rez is set up, and there is a note in the receiving person's account that person X will be transferring in, the person transferring out will need to call MR, and give them his account information so that MR can prepare an official transfer form, which they will then fax to the person transferring out for signature. Once signed, the form should be faxed back asap, and usually that same day or the next day, the points will be transferred. There is no rule that the points rez cannot be cancelled, and MR will tell you so. If the rez is cancelled, MR will put the points back in the account for the person who received the points transfer, without penalty.

Since I was Plat at the time all of the transfers I have been involved in (four times, over four years, both in and out) took place, I don't know whether they will do for anyone, or whether it's an unwritten benefit for Plats, or Plats and Golds, or if they do it for non-Plats there will be a fee. I have always cancelled my award reservations after I've received points, but I always wait a few days before cancelling, so it does not seem manipulative, since it is an unwritten benefit, and I don't want transfers benefit to end.

EDIT ADD: Also, AFAIK transferring points will not accrue to LT points balance for LT elite status.

I just checked....and i am not sure where you are looking, but Marriott Rewards T£C's clearly state that points ARE transferrable, give the directions for doing so, AND have a complete set of T&C's listed on the process!

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/tranpurc.mi

Once you complete the form, it takes less than 24 hours to transfer.

True, but that is only for legal spouse or partner (but I am sure they would allow anyone in a family too), my instructions above are for non-relative(s) transfers.

so, your instructions are given on how to violate the stated T&Cs.......

In the case of fraud or abuse involving the Rewards Program, Point credit, Miles credit, Reward use, or a participating hotel, the Company and its travel partners have the right to take appropriate administrative and/or legal action, including but not limited to revocation/cancellation of any Reward and/or termination of Rewards Program Membership, and all Miles or Points and certificates (“Certificates”) earned through the Rewards Program may be forfeited and any relevant Membership Account(s) closed.
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi

There is no difference in the process regardless of who is receiving the points.:confused:

THE T&C's state spouse or SO, but I specifically asked on 2 separate occasions, and was allowed the transfer to a non relative...one in, one out.

Ditto on Sophie's experience and as repeatedly reported here on FT by others. Despite the rules, in practice you can transfer points to anyone you desire in increments of 1000 for the balance needed for an award. I have transferred points to my boss and other friends on numerous occasions. All you need is there name, MR number, associated reservation number and complete the form and fax it into MR.

As far as canceling the res (legitimately or otherwise), yes if you cancel the reservation the recipient of the points retains them. Doing that intentionally is between the individual and their own conscience.