Quickest way to Platinum?
Jul 28, 2018 | 8:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 201
Quickest way to Platinum?
Hi,
What is the quickest way to Platinum?
I will be starting a new job before long that involves a lot of travel and they use Marriott. I have been a Hilton Diamond for the last 4 years so I will be starting over from scratch. I’m hoping to get Plat by years end. After that I won’t have any problem retaining Plat when I have a full year to do so.
My my thought is to get the credit card to get the 15 night credit. Then once I make gold do the Plat challenge. Is that the best way? I am assuming that there is no quick route from Silver straight to Plat?
Thanks all all for the help!
What is the quickest way to Platinum?
I will be starting a new job before long that involves a lot of travel and they use Marriott. I have been a Hilton Diamond for the last 4 years so I will be starting over from scratch. I’m hoping to get Plat by years end. After that I won’t have any problem retaining Plat when I have a full year to do so.
My my thought is to get the credit card to get the 15 night credit. Then once I make gold do the Plat challenge. Is that the best way? I am assuming that there is no quick route from Silver straight to Plat?
Thanks all all for the help!
Jul 28, 2018 | 8:15 am
#2
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
Hi,
What is the quickest way to Platinum?
I will be starting a new job before long that involves a lot of travel and they use Marriott. I have been a Hilton Diamond for the last 4 years so I will be starting over from scratch. I’m hoping to get Plat by years end. After that I won’t have any problem retaining Plat when I have a full year to do so.
My my thought is to get the credit card to get the 15 night credit. Then once I make gold do the Plat challenge. Is that the best way? I am assuming that there is no quick route from Silver straight to Plat?
Thanks all all for the help!
What is the quickest way to Platinum?
I will be starting a new job before long that involves a lot of travel and they use Marriott. I have been a Hilton Diamond for the last 4 years so I will be starting over from scratch. I’m hoping to get Plat by years end. After that I won’t have any problem retaining Plat when I have a full year to do so.
My my thought is to get the credit card to get the 15 night credit. Then once I make gold do the Plat challenge. Is that the best way? I am assuming that there is no quick route from Silver straight to Plat?
Thanks all all for the help!
There is debate right now if this is an option after the merge of the programs on 8/18, but you have time now.
Jul 28, 2018 | 8:19 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K2MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,318
Yup - if you do it right & efficiently, ~$400-$500 and Plat is yours!
Jul 28, 2018 | 5:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 118
Platinum under the merged program which goes into effect on Aug 18, or platinum under the current program? The current gold level will be called platinum under the new program.
Assuming that you mean the current platinum (which will be called platinum premier): the benefits for (current) gold are almost the same as those for (current) platinum, so you might consider doing a gold challenge instead - that way, you start getting the benefits sooner. Then in 12 months, you can do a challenge for the next level (assuming they offer that with the new program). I am a hilton diamond (25 days away from lifetime, which I will hit before the year ends, woohoo!) and did just that back in January, as I was gathering Marriott points for a Maui trip (leaving next week!)
I've found that I get treated very well as a (current program) gold. And who knows what the challenges will look like under the new program... Might be better to take advantage of it now.
Here's the comparison chart for the merged program:
https://members.marriott.com/benefits/
Assuming that you mean the current platinum (which will be called platinum premier): the benefits for (current) gold are almost the same as those for (current) platinum, so you might consider doing a gold challenge instead - that way, you start getting the benefits sooner. Then in 12 months, you can do a challenge for the next level (assuming they offer that with the new program). I am a hilton diamond (25 days away from lifetime, which I will hit before the year ends, woohoo!) and did just that back in January, as I was gathering Marriott points for a Maui trip (leaving next week!)
I've found that I get treated very well as a (current program) gold. And who knows what the challenges will look like under the new program... Might be better to take advantage of it now.
Here's the comparison chart for the merged program:
https://members.marriott.com/benefits/
Jul 29, 2018 | 2:41 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
`If you sign up for SPG now and do their plat challenge you will also end up with Marriott plat. It requires 18 nights in 3 months in SPG hotels. You would need to be quick but after 18th August SPG hotels will be under Marriott but you should still be able to make status under the old SPG terms.
Jul 29, 2018 | 9:48 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,814
The currently available Marriott credit cards post a 15 night credit starting in 2019, posting early in the year to holders of the card as of the previous Dec 31, so that won't help you at all for the 2018 qualification year.
Jul 29, 2018 | 9:50 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 201
Unfortunately, I will be starting my job next month, so I won't have the benefit of doing anything prior to Aug 18.
Thank everyone for the help!
Jul 29, 2018 | 10:12 am
#8
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
Oh man I missed that part, that hurts. I have to get to 25 nights to get gold, then complete the challenge. That could be very trying. I might have to just try for the silver to gold challenge.
Unfortunately, I will be starting my job next month, so I won't have the benefit of doing anything prior to Aug 18.
Thank everyone for the help!
Unfortunately, I will be starting my job next month, so I won't have the benefit of doing anything prior to Aug 18.
Thank everyone for the help!
Jul 29, 2018 | 1:44 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 201
No, you need to get 50 MR nights to get MR Gold (do you have any right now?). And I thought the challenges have been shut down for now.
Next year I’ll easily make Platinum Executive 75. Just hoping to get the best jump start I can.