Hello,

I'm a HHonors Diamond member without any stays with Marriott. Because I will be staying in several Marriotts the next weeks I called to Marriott do a status challenge based on my status with hilton. However they declined because I was only a basic member with them. Is this usual?

Any idea's how I can convince them to offer me a gold or platinum challenge?

Thx

Hmm, that is interesting. I am SPG Platinum "Ambassador" level (Platinum is 50 nights and you become Ambassador level starting at 100+). Early January, I reached out to Marriott, where I was just a "Member" and requested a status match, which they said they would not do. Instead, they offered me a Platinum challenge. I just met that challenge last week.

The best guess I have is that due to the merger with Starwood, they have been inundated with similar requests. Marriott may have only a certain number of challenges they offer in a given quarter or year. I recall reading that Hilton was no longer offering status matches to Starwood elite members in January. I called Hilton in December with a screenshot of my 2015 activity and was given Diamond for 2016 in less than 48 hours. As a lifetime SPG Platinum, I am preparing myself for the eventuality of SPG being merged into Marriott Rewards. I get to start experiencing Platinum level treatment next week. Have been underwhelmed by Hilton's Diamond treatment to date.

My .02 cents...

Call and ask for a supervisor. They have more power to give out the Platinum challenge to people who are not Gold

Is the platinum challenge still available to Gold elite members? It's been about 6 years since I've tried.

I just spoke to Marriott Rewards and was told it is still available.

It takes 9 stays within a period of "about" 3 months. If I enrolled today I would have through May 31st to complete the challenge. If I wait until March 1st to begin, I would have until June 30th - almost 4 months.

Unfortunately I have only 7 stays listed with a potential 8th in June.

I can confirm that it is still 9 stays in 90 days, as I just completed the challenge last week and was awarded my Platinum Status.

I also was/am a Lifetime Platinum (candidate) 9 years, 600 stays at SPG just waiting on my 25th stay this year to click over.

I am hedging my bets by putting everything over the 25 stays to remain platinum on Marriott in case they go by 750 instead of just grandfathering in platinum.

I assume no status is gained during the challenge?

I tried last year. Was told in no uncertain terms that only get a challenge for next level up, and advised to get Silver then challenge.

No way am I doing 10 nights w/o any benefits to obtain Silver, then more challenge nights to get gold, making 20 nights w/o any benefits does not work for me.

Marriott will continue to just get 2-3 nights per year, where I don't have HH/IHG choices

If someone is going from base to a higher level, it probably helps if you've got reservations in the system that Marriott can see. They might be more inclined to grant the challenge if they see that vs. a vague I'll be staying a lot.

Cheers.

Status is active DURING the challenge