Gold Devaluation: Any way to keep my lounge access?
May 23, 2018, 4:50 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
Calling it the end of a "boost" instead of a devaluation of Gold really doesn't matter to me. All I know is that I have lounge access now and that on August 1, I won't. To me, that's less value. I would not go as far as some suggest in calling it "false advertising" or cancelling my AMEX card. Programs and perks change over the years, as do my travel patterns. I accept that. If there's a way to keep the lounge access I enjoy by paying a few hundred $ to hold board meetings I'm holding anyway, I'm all in.
If not, I guess I'm heading to Hiltons in August.
If not, I guess I'm heading to Hiltons in August.
Do you think you’ll stay 15 more nights total for the rest of the year? If so, you’d really only be losing out on lounge access for the nights between 8/1 and when you reach 50, since once you reach 50 you’ll have the new Platinum status for all of 2019.
I also believe if you receive the MR emails you should be able to get an elite night credit for your birthday.
May 24, 2018, 12:43 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
I'm one of the many who got Marriott Gold status via the AMEX Platinum card. This means I'll be tossed from the lounges and free breakfasts in August.
I travel for work about every month and have 20 paid Marriott nights so far this year, all of which are at premium properties in expensive cities (NYC and London). Lounge access really does make a difference to me-- and it's the deciding factor that keeps me coming to Marriotts instead of Hiltons.
I have a standard Chase Marriott Signature Visa, which I believe gives me 15 nights of credit a year automatically. Combined with my paid stays, that still leaves me 15 nights short of the 50 I'd need to keep my lounge access. I'm not likely to do a "mattress run" for 10-15 nights. Nor am I in a position to spend 30K or some comparably high figure on my Signature Visa.
Can anybody think of other options I might have to reach the new Platinum and keep my lounge access? I know that I could get an AMEX Hilton Aspire card. That would give me Hilton Diamond status with lounge access. However, I do like Marriotts and would much rather stick with them if at all possible. I guess I'm in that unfortunate category of business folks who travel enough to value the comforts of loyalty perks, but not quite frequently enough to earn a level that guarantees them.
I travel for work about every month and have 20 paid Marriott nights so far this year, all of which are at premium properties in expensive cities (NYC and London). Lounge access really does make a difference to me-- and it's the deciding factor that keeps me coming to Marriotts instead of Hiltons.
I have a standard Chase Marriott Signature Visa, which I believe gives me 15 nights of credit a year automatically. Combined with my paid stays, that still leaves me 15 nights short of the 50 I'd need to keep my lounge access. I'm not likely to do a "mattress run" for 10-15 nights. Nor am I in a position to spend 30K or some comparably high figure on my Signature Visa.
Can anybody think of other options I might have to reach the new Platinum and keep my lounge access? I know that I could get an AMEX Hilton Aspire card. That would give me Hilton Diamond status with lounge access. However, I do like Marriotts and would much rather stick with them if at all possible. I guess I'm in that unfortunate category of business folks who travel enough to value the comforts of loyalty perks, but not quite frequently enough to earn a level that guarantees them.
May 24, 2018, 12:47 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
I'm one of the many who got Marriott Gold status via the AMEX Platinum card. This means I'll be tossed from the lounges and free breakfasts in August.
I travel for work about every month and have 20 paid Marriott nights so far this year, all of which are at premium properties in expensive cities (NYC and London). Lounge access really does make a difference to me-- and it's the deciding factor that keeps me coming to Marriotts instead of Hiltons.
I have a standard Chase Marriott Signature Visa, which I believe gives me 15 nights of credit a year automatically. Combined with my paid stays, that still leaves me 15 nights short of the 50 I'd need to keep my lounge access. I'm not likely to do a "mattress run" for 10-15 nights. Nor am I in a position to spend 30K or some comparably high figure on my Signature Visa.
Can anybody think of other options I might have to reach the new Platinum and keep my lounge access? I know that I could get an AMEX Hilton Aspire card. That would give me Hilton Diamond status with lounge access. However, I do like Marriotts and would much rather stick with them if at all possible. I guess I'm in that unfortunate category of business folks who travel enough to value the comforts of loyalty perks, but not quite frequently enough to earn a level that guarantees them.
I travel for work about every month and have 20 paid Marriott nights so far this year, all of which are at premium properties in expensive cities (NYC and London). Lounge access really does make a difference to me-- and it's the deciding factor that keeps me coming to Marriotts instead of Hiltons.
I have a standard Chase Marriott Signature Visa, which I believe gives me 15 nights of credit a year automatically. Combined with my paid stays, that still leaves me 15 nights short of the 50 I'd need to keep my lounge access. I'm not likely to do a "mattress run" for 10-15 nights. Nor am I in a position to spend 30K or some comparably high figure on my Signature Visa.
Can anybody think of other options I might have to reach the new Platinum and keep my lounge access? I know that I could get an AMEX Hilton Aspire card. That would give me Hilton Diamond status with lounge access. However, I do like Marriotts and would much rather stick with them if at all possible. I guess I'm in that unfortunate category of business folks who travel enough to value the comforts of loyalty perks, but not quite frequently enough to earn a level that guarantees them.
May 24, 2018, 1:33 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Salt Lake City
Programs: Delta, Hertz, Hilton, Marriott
Posts: 4,921
The Amex Platinum also gives you Gold at Hilton and Golds there get free continental breakfast.
May 24, 2018, 7:59 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Mileage Plus, Miles and More
Posts: 88
I've been been considering the same issue - if I lose lounge access at Marriotts when i go to gold (which i will next year), I plan to jump ship, go to Hilton with the aspire card and never look back.
I'm confident Marriott will do what the rumor phltraveler reports: Award 10 nights for the first meeting and one for every meeting after. They are clearly trying to thin the herd down to those who actually stay 50 nights. It probably makes sense from their perspective. But for a guy like me who travels one or two nights a month, Hilton is beginning to sound like a better long-term value proposition. Sad but true.
May 24, 2018, 9:48 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
My problem with all of this is that my work travel is likely to remain at about 15-25 nights a year for the next few years. That's just enough to make lounge access and other perks valuable to me, but not quite enough to qualify for the status that guarantees them. The 15 nights I'll get from a credit card help, but still leave me well short of 50. "Manufacturing" another 20 nights with meetings seems like a relatively quick way to get over the top for 2019. It's a good short-term strategy. But not so much for the long run.
I'm confident Marriott will do what the rumor phltraveler reports: Award 10 nights for the first meeting and one for every meeting after. They are clearly trying to thin the herd down to those who actually stay 50 nights. It probably makes sense from their perspective. But for a guy like me who travels one or two nights a month, Hilton is beginning to sound like a better long-term value proposition. Sad but true.
I'm confident Marriott will do what the rumor phltraveler reports: Award 10 nights for the first meeting and one for every meeting after. They are clearly trying to thin the herd down to those who actually stay 50 nights. It probably makes sense from their perspective. But for a guy like me who travels one or two nights a month, Hilton is beginning to sound like a better long-term value proposition. Sad but true.
May 24, 2018, 4:50 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
Note that Hilton Golds get free breakfast (which some hotels make the full buffet even though the published benefit is just continental, while IME others have a very generous cold portion of their buffet on offer, with the possibility of paying to upgrade to include the hot buffet), but not lounge access unless they're upgraded to a club level room. YMMV.
BTW, IMO lounge access at Elite50 wouldn't be unreasonable if it were 50 real nights, with no meeting credit or credit card nights included.....or Starriott could follow Hyatt and give some club level upgrade certs including lounge access to their mid-tier people. [WOH is four certs annually, but they cannot be used for free breakfast in hotels without lounges.]
BTW, IMO lounge access at Elite50 wouldn't be unreasonable if it were 50 real nights, with no meeting credit or credit card nights included.....or Starriott could follow Hyatt and give some club level upgrade certs including lounge access to their mid-tier people. [WOH is four certs annually, but they cannot be used for free breakfast in hotels without lounges.]
May 24, 2018, 5:23 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Port St Lucie, FL, UA1K since 1994 and 3mm, Delta 1mm
Programs: Marriott Titanium Life, Hilton Gold
Posts: 566
No sympathy from me. Why then they let all elites into the lounge. You can also book a room with lounge access.
May 25, 2018, 5:16 am
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
May 25, 2018, 6:35 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Mileage Plus, Miles and More
Posts: 88
No sympathy from me. Why then they let all elites into the lounge. You can also book a room with lounge access.
I can certainly understand the need to keep a degree of exclusivity in lounge access. Priority Pass is a shining example of a benefit that is losing its value exponentially. Since nearly every "premium" credit card has started including it, many lounges have become mob scenes. People of all ages stampede to grab handfuls of cheap pretzels. Several foreign airline lounges that Priority Pass touts as "included" now limit members to "access between 2 am and 3 am."
The Marriott lounges I used have not been overcrowded. Maybe it's becoming a problem elsewhere. Giving upgrade certs like Hyatt may be the route Marriott goes-- or some new premium credit card similar to the Aspire may come out. Until then, it makes sense to work the rules that exist now by combing actual stays, meetings and credit cards.
May 25, 2018, 6:51 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
According to here, Ritz cardholders are only going to get new Plat (50 night a year status) after $75K is moved across the card with an $450 annual fee
May 25, 2018, 7:10 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC - upper West Side
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,597
Just to be clear for other readers, it's not a "Gold devaluation", it's a devaluation for Amex holders. Other Golds that had lounge access due to stays, credit card nights, etc. will continue to have access but will now be renamed as Platinum.
Other that the meeting suggestion, it sounds like you don't have the years at 50+ nights to achieve a lifetime status, correct?
Also be aware that some properties allow you to purchase lounge access. If breakfast is the main benefit you seek, it's likely not worth the price however.
Other that the meeting suggestion, it sounds like you don't have the years at 50+ nights to achieve a lifetime status, correct?
Also be aware that some properties allow you to purchase lounge access. If breakfast is the main benefit you seek, it's likely not worth the price however.
Will he be upgraded to Platinum or stay at Gold?
Anyone know?
Thanks.
NEWMAN
Last edited by hhoope01; Jul 9, 2018 at 12:59 pm Reason: Fixed Signature to fit FT guidelines.
May 25, 2018, 7:35 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, WN CP
Posts: 245
Unless the arrangement with United continues, this benefit may go away.
May 25, 2018, 9:10 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Yes, I believe at this point the UA program would technically still only match to Marriott Gold (old or new). I think by August we'll probably see some news on most of the partner programs and what they intend to do, if anything.
Jun 1, 2018, 10:19 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
*Elite tier will be based on the status earned, not status granted via linking and status matching.