Looking for some guidance I hopefully didn't overlook in the FAQ. Here's my question:

Scenario: I'm at 46 nights stayed in 2013 and currently Silver status. I just arrived at the Beijing Marriott NE where I will be for the next 15 days, and during this stay I will reach the 50 stay mark and thus, Gold status.

Two questions:
1. When will Gold status take effect? For example, when I reach 50 nights will Marriott change my points bump from 20% to 25% for each night after 50?

2. If I want to use the Executive Lounge here or get a room upgrade as typically given to Gold status members, is that something reception would handle or require me to go down and ask, or worse yet, check out and check back in?

I'm asking because I'm rather frustrated that after staying in this hotel for 45 nights throughout this year, I just had my worst experience checking in and was given the worst room I've ever had here...

As far as I'm concerned, your status changes when the points post - ie at the end of your stay

I recommend that you speak with the hotel,have them spilt your stay so that your first 4 nights post.

Given the circumstances, I expect them to grant you lounge/internet access

you'll reach G status only after at least 4-nights post, but that doesn't stop you from breaking up the stay and/or discussing G-benees with the FOM at the hotel........

It's going to be tricky if you break up the stay. Points/nights generally take a day or two to post after you check out, and might be longer with an INT property. You'll still have silver status when you check in again, but by the time you check out maybe they can refresh the status. You can always call MR and ask them to manually adjust your second stay, which I suspect they will have no problem doing. I agree with the suggestion above about speaking with someone at the front desk about gold benefits. If they balk ask for a manager. You've got nothing to lose. One more idea if you call MR maybe they will advance you the status for your second stay.

For 15 nights you could do a Platinum challenge. I believe it takes 18 nights in 3 months(?) but takes immediate status.

Thread on challenge has posts that say challenge no longer offered and/or offered but without immediate status.....

I would first ask to talk with a manager and explain that you will achieve gold status during your stay (whether or not it will show on their system or on the website). See if they would be willing to give gold benefits either now or after 4 days. I can't imagine that they would want to refuse gold benefits if you can show that you will have 50 nights during your stay.

Unfortunately, in my experience room assignments seem to be rather haphazard for Marriott elite members even at the platinum level. The best thing to do is to request an upgrade in advance and then specifically ask at check in for an upgrade. If you don't like your room go back and ask for another one, status or no status.

If they try to pull the business of being full and not having any other rooms, at least tell them you want to change the next day when something becomes available.

Definitely speak with the front desk manager if not the hotel's general manager. You could explain that you are very close to Gold already-- but you know what, since you have stayed 45 nights this year already at the same hotel, lead with that. And emphasize that you are currently planning to stay 15 more nights.

Look, most elites only stay at a given hotel a few nights a year. Hotels give upgrades to those elites because they "have to". But hotels give upgrades to their own frequent guests-- the one they recognize as repeat customers at their property-- because they want to, to keep them as frequent guests.