Jan 15, 2014, 2:53 am
Last edit by: beckoa
Originally Posted by marriott.com
Reinstate Your Level
As one of our valued Elite members, we understand that your travel needs vary from year to year and that occasionally you might not have the required number of stays to maintain your Elite status. We know how important Marriott Rewards benefits are to you – so we are offering you a limited-time opportunity to buy back your status for 2014 using points that you may have already earned.
Here's all it takes to reinstate your level:
Points required to buy back Platinum status - 40,000
Points required to buy back Gold status - 25,000
Points required to buy back Silver status - 7,500
Remember, if you don't have enough points in your account, you can always
buy up to 50,000 points every year.
This offer is valid through April 1, 2014 and allows only one level of buyback, which must match the Elite level you enjoyed in 2013.
Once your status has been reinstated, Marriott Rewards will send you a new valid membership card for your restored Elite level.
How to Do It: Two Ways to Buy Back Your Elite Status
Email us at Marriott Rewards with your information.
If emailing us, include your name and Rewards number, then copy (or cut-and-paste) one of the three options below:
Buy Back my Elite status from Gold to Platinum status: 40,000 points
Buy Back my Elite status from Silver to Gold status: 25,000 points
Buy Back my Elite status from Basic to Silver status: 7,500 points
Simply call Guest Services at 1-800-321-7396 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada).
All Marriott Reward Program terms and conditions apply.
2014 Status Buyback is back!
Jan 15, 2014, 2:54 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
If this was valid farther out I'd be tempted. 25K points for Gold... I had some great experiences in HKG. But that's a fair # of points...
Jan 15, 2014, 2:57 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 53
Yes it's a decent amount of points but Im spending 3 weeks in the USA this April so will make my vacation extra special with this extension of gold.
Jan 15, 2014, 5:29 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 600
I was just about to ask if this program was running this year. I've certainly got the points and will be spending a bunch of nights at Marriott resorts this year so buying back Gold would be worth it for me.
Jan 15, 2014, 6:37 am
#5
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
Silver isn't worth 7500 pts as it's really only 20% more points which you get to after 10 nights anyway, so to recover the 7500 points you'd need to spend $3750, that's $375 per night on each and every night!
Gold is the exact opposite, if you're staying over 10 nights at FS on own dime the free breakfast benefit alone makes Gold buyback worth it, and that's without taking into account the guaranteed lounge access or the upgrades.
Plat depends on stay pattern and spend since 40,000 points is a lot to recover back at 500pts welcome amenity and an extra 2.5points per $, which are the main extras at Plat level. Taking 2 examples, each at an average cost of $100 night the following emerges:
A) 40 nights over 20 stays earns 10,000 pts from the arrival bonus and another 10,000 plat points, making 20,000 points.
B) 60 nights over 50 stays earns 25,000 pts from the arrival bonus and another 15,000 plat points, making 40,000 points thus recouping the cost.
Gold is the exact opposite, if you're staying over 10 nights at FS on own dime the free breakfast benefit alone makes Gold buyback worth it, and that's without taking into account the guaranteed lounge access or the upgrades.
Plat depends on stay pattern and spend since 40,000 points is a lot to recover back at 500pts welcome amenity and an extra 2.5points per $, which are the main extras at Plat level. Taking 2 examples, each at an average cost of $100 night the following emerges:
A) 40 nights over 20 stays earns 10,000 pts from the arrival bonus and another 10,000 plat points, making 20,000 points.
B) 60 nights over 50 stays earns 25,000 pts from the arrival bonus and another 15,000 plat points, making 40,000 points thus recouping the cost.
Last edited by BrightlyBob; Feb 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm Reason: Reorganising post for easier reading
Feb 3, 2014, 1:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: River Forest, IL
Posts: 328
Trying to decide- if my company were still having me fly United it would be a no brainer to keep platinum - but I am now forced to use American. Will I get a soft landing to gold if I don't buy back my staus?
Feb 3, 2014, 1:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 600
Just did this. Its worth it for me this year because I've got several FS Marriott stays in the works.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:03 pm
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
In 2012 as a Plat I only managed 30 nights but in February 2013 was busted down to Gold, so the soft landing certainly worked for me.
I can't see any reason why this policy won't continue, but if you're busted down to silver later this month you can always buy back later, up to end March...
Feb 3, 2014, 3:04 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Helsinki (Finland)
Programs: IHG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 468
I think I will do this as well IF they downgrade me. Still shows Platinum but I was about 10 nights short last year so will probably not be after Feb.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:29 pm
#10
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
May I ask why you did this already now? Isn't Platinum status valid until end of February? But maybe you had so few nights you were sure they would downgrade you or something?
I think I will do this as well IF they downgrade me. Still shows Platinum but I was about 10 nights short last year so will probably not be after Feb.
I think I will do this as well IF they downgrade me. Still shows Platinum but I was about 10 nights short last year so will probably not be after Feb.
Feb 3, 2014, 4:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 600
Well, I'm Gold not Platinum. But that aside, I only had ~30 nights so I'm doubting that I would have been given Gold again.
Feb 3, 2014, 9:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,470
Unfortunately, it's at Marriott resorts that status is worth the least (among full service properties).
Feb 3, 2014, 9:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: AMEX platinum, Marriott platinum, MPC Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 16
I'm certainly a fan of the platinum buy back option. Sure the options in terms of extra benefits was limited at the Resort properties but the upgrades still seem to work well.
Stayed in Curacao at the Marriott Beach Resort for 8 nights and was upgraded from the cheapest room I booked to a beachfront room. Also, as of November they were still offering the old check in amenities which was a pleasant surprise.
Stayed in Curacao at the Marriott Beach Resort for 8 nights and was upgraded from the cheapest room I booked to a beachfront room. Also, as of November they were still offering the old check in amenities which was a pleasant surprise.
Feb 4, 2014, 5:43 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 600
Feb 4, 2014, 8:03 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 48
Marriott have comped Plat when members fall short. Very long term Plats have been renewed despite falling short by 40/50 nights. Reading earlier posts it seems that Marriott do commonly comp the status when only 4 or 5 nights short, but 10 is quite an ask. Whether you get comped the status at 10 nights short I think will depend on your length of Plat status, spending and past loyalty...
i have been comped back up to Platinum for the past two years, despite being at least 15-20 nights short each year.. prior to that, i had only been Plat for 3 or 4 yrs, so not long term.. i have a feeling the gravy train might end this year though, so i'll probably do the buyback.