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.

------------------

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

Interesting that lots of plats who did not requalify are apparently being given plat anyway.

How about non-requalifying golds- have any of you received 04 gold cards aftera all?

Gold last year, listed as Gold on web site as of 2/18 but did not meet the threshold. So I'm currently listed as Gold online but I received a Silver card the other day in the mail.

Is the system not updated or did I recieve the Silver card in error? I hope the latter.

jb

Received my Gold card this week. Did not get the 50+ nights qualification last year.

I was surprised as I am based in the UK.

Nothing here. I think I only stayed 10 nights last year (if that) -- I wonder if I'm going to get the full boot. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited Feb 21, 2004).]

Got comped to Platinum in mid-2003 based on Priority Club Platinum (no proof, faxes needed)!! I ended up going with Starwood and Hilton instead and spent zero (0) nights in 2003 with Marriott. This year I was downgraded to a lowly Gold. Now I am http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif that so many here retained Platinum level. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well, I must be unlucky, I had 73 nights last year (actually 77, but 4 haven't shown up yet although I expect it will eventually be straightened out), and I got a Gold card in the mail yesterday.

Kind of depressing, people with 10-15 nights stay Platinum and I have 73 and get the downgrade to Gold. Especially since I really have 77 ...

I had about 25~30 nights last year as a Platinum and received Gold card recently. But I completed Platinum Challenge at the end of Jan, so my status is back in Platinum again.

Andy, if you send them an e-mail, I guarantee you they'll kick you back up to platinum. A rep told me recently that it's automatic if you get 70 nights and request it.

44 Nights in 2004

The website shows "GOLD"
In the Mail a SILVER-Card.

I was gold last year and I stayed 10 nights in 2003. I just got a sliver card and an offer to buy back my gold card for 35k points.

As noted above, I had 73 nights, downgraded to Gold (hopefully now fixed). With my Gold card I got a "buyup" offer back to Plat for 50K points. Maybe somehow the downgrade decision is based on whether they think you might blow the points?

But, seriously, how could Plat (vs. Gold) possibly be worth 50K points? Hard to imagine the bonus earning 50K points back, no suite upgrades, and so on. Gold vs. Platinum just doesn't seem to be that different. The Platinum arrival gift is usually water + Milano cookies, value around $3.

Still no card, also no Elite Offers. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Wonder if the envelope got lost in the mail?

I missed Platinum last year by a long shot (barely covered Gold). I called at the beginning of the year for a 'challenge'. Was told that I would retain Platinum during the challenge and for the remainder of the year if I had 18 nights in 90 days. Currently at 14 nights.

I did not get a new card or coupons either. I assumed that it was because I was on the challenge.