Marriott was nice and didn't drop me down!
 

I just received my Platinum kit. I was expecting a regular non-status card since I didn't even qualify for silver last year.

It says that is is in apprecaiation of my loyalty. Maybe that is just a standard letter even to regular Platinum members. I was Platinum from 2000-2003 (qualified by staying over 75 from 2000-2002) and maybe that is why they gave me another year?

Thank you anyway to Marriott!

(The FT gods must be taking care of me... this is my second unexpected Elite card I've received even though I didn't qualify.)

Me too. Surprise but I think better for them. Hopefully my hotel stays will pick up a bit next year and certainly being Platinum Elite they will always be my first choice.

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just out of curiousity, how many nights did you have in 03?

BaGold,

You lucky Dog. Got a surprise when I got home this week too. I did about 50-60 nights last year and was also given platinum.

I did stay at a wide range from the Marquis and Grande Lakes to $150 a night courtyards.

I think with Marriott about 10-15 nights.

Chichow, thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif and great to see you got it too!

They kept me at platinum too. I had about 45 nights, albeit mostly in NYC at the Righa Royal, one of their finest.

Do you think it makes a difference what properties you stay at?

I think they're just trying to keep what loyal customers they can. Vacancy rates at major hotels are still too high for them to be too selective on who is a premium customer. I have a Hilton Gold card, and they have given me a pass this year even though I fell short of the written qualification. It's called "competition".

I got freebie renewals on all of my hotel programs this year, too. I didn't actually requal on qualifying rates for any of them.

However, by sending me the Gold card and elite kit, Marriott will earn two 2-for-1 weekend bookings that would have gone to Priceline. So for the cost to print up the little card and give me a few bonus points, they will get a couple hundred bucks in revenue that they otherwise would not have gotten. Good move for both them and me.

I fully expect that one of these years, I'll get dropped back to Silver. Then I'll decide if the $30 annual fee on the MR Visa is worth it to stay at that level. Do Silvers get those elite kits with the 2-for-1 certs in them? Those are usually worth it in that they effectively deliver a Priceline rate without the hassles of doing the bidding...

add me to the list of those with less than 75 nights in 03 and retained Plat status

thank you MR http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif... you have made me re-think my 2004 lodging plans dramatically to include a lot of MR nights in 04

Just checked my account online, and it shows at Plat to 2005. Only had 30 nights on 2003 (I wonder if they saw the 65 nights on HHonors?).

Boilermaker - where on the website do you see the expiration date of your platimun status? Mine didn't drop down either according to what is on the website, but I don't see the expiration date.

Make that platinum not platimun.

Add me to the list. Just got new Plat card today w/ 12 nights for 2003. Times must be tough...

I just got my kit and I did drop from Platinum to Gold. I had about 45 nights last year. I do have the option to buy back the platinum status for 50K points. However, I've been checked in at a Spring Hill Suites since 1/4 and won't check out until late March.

I was also dropped to Gold from Platnium and offered to buy back Platnium for 50K Marriott Points. What a joke! From my experience as a platnium there is absolutely no difference between Gold and Platnium except the gift.

RJS