Look above at posts 22 and 23.

Another data point for reference:

I did the Plat Challenge in Jan 2012 and got Plat Status until this year (Feb 2014). In both 2012 and 2013, I do not have the number of stay to even hit Gold, which already included Marriott VISA nights. I just rec'd my 2014 package yesterday and it got soft landing to Gold. I do not expect to hit 50 nights this year, so, most likely will keep my 40K points and stay as Gold.

BTW, is there a good thread that has discussion about the between a Gold and Plat? Like in the Hilton Forum, many threads that discuss the diff between Gold and Diamond are so small that most people just stay as Gold with Hilton. Trying to figure out with Gold also get Breakfast and Internet, do I need to get Platinum at all?

Thanks.

Overall folks seem to be happy with Gold. If you anticipate doing a lot of travel in 2014 a Plat bump *might* work out, but not sure the Plat gift is worth it. I'd be happy with Gold myself. Still on the fence @ this myself (Gold vs. Silver)

I am in a similar boat as well. I did the Platinum Challenge in 2012 and I was Platinum for all of 2013 and I just received a card in the mail today with my 2014 Gold Elite Card in it. It gives me the offer to "buy back" my Platinum Status for 2014 which I was just about to do. However, my profile online on Marriott.com still shows me as still Platinum level. I just called the Platinum Line and told them I got a Gold card in the mail. They said I should still be Platinum and they said they would mail me out the new 2014 Platinum Card immediately.. According my fuzzy math, I had a little over 50 nights (and around 25 stays) in 2013 but definitely not 75 nights... :confused:

Guess I'll leave it and see. He did say the card would take up to 5 weeks to be delivered (I live in Europe). Guess I will keep my eye on my status between now and April 1st to make sure nothing changes.. If so, I may consider buying Platinum back..

UGATraveler, I got similar card/letter today and still Plat on marriott.com. Maybe they try to be smart and get us use the points for buyback and if we don't, they let us keep the status anyway:)

I had between 50 and 75 nights as well.

I will def. wait until March to see whether they really downgrade me.

It depends on your travel patterns. Gold gets you lounge benefits (meals, non-alcholic drinks) but no/little chance of room upgrades. For casual travel, Gold is good enough but if you are going to spend 100-200 nights in hotels.. its a no-brainer.

I was in JW Marriot Hong Kong last year booked on award stay. However my Plat status got me a room upgrade and free breakfast buffets in their (amazing) cafe. ^^

Is March the cutoff date? That definitely helps to know we have time to buy status, thanks! ^

My Marriott card show my Plat will exp in Feb 2014.. so I just thought it was because I did the challenge in Jan 2012 and achieved it in Feb 2012. So I am still a Plat on the my account right now. My new gold card show exp Feb 2015.

With the comment from UGATraveler is Marriott roll over date always Mar for each year?

My understanding is status is updated on March 1 and that is then valid March 1 - Feb 28. Nights are counted per calender year but status is valid until Feb 28 that is.

That's what Marriott CS told me but then again, she also didn't know what soft landing is and when I explained, she told me Marriott doesn't do anything like that so go figure. Next rep would surely give totally different answer (Marriott standard).

well, it finally happened-- after 5 yrs of being Platinum, the last two of which i was nowhere near the minimum nights requirement-- i have been downgraded to Gold... i'll probably go ahead and buy back my Platinum status, since i plan on staying 30 or 40 nights this year, and figure that i can make those points back pretty easily.. in any case, i guess there are no free rides anymore. :(

2014 Status Buyback is back!
 

I find myself this morning with a soft landing down to Gold. Given I don't see myself with an additional 60 nights stay this year, I'm seriously wondering if it's worth 40K points to move up to Platinum and save myself from the humiliation of having to update my FT profile to reflect the new status.

Unless you are spending over $150 a night and have many stays at higher end Marriott's I don't believe the upgrade is worth buying into at 40k. Especially with a lot of properties diminishing their platinum benefits...ahem Cosmo

I just checked my account and I've received a soft landing to Gold. I've been Platinum for the last 5 or 6 years. Last year was a gift from them because in 2012 I was nowhere near 75 nights either. I don't plan on buying back up.

And yes, I've updated my FT profile ;)

I failed to hit 75 nights last year after a couple of Platinum years. Just logged in (after receiving the offer) and did get a GOLD soft landing. Not worth the 40k nights given my travel pattern for this year...

Happy to have the soft landing at Gold, though...

I was at gold and am now at silver. Is it possible for me to spend 40k points to get platinum? With a stay at Marriott river gauche in April, is it worth it to go for play or should I stay with gold? It's a three night stay.

Also, would thus status last through 2015?

Thx.