I really do not travel much on buisness,and when I do I have a pretty strict per diem($100 or less)out of which I must pay for the hotel.
I recived a comp to silver,and will requalify with leisure stays with no problem.
I will never get to gold-I just don't stay that many nights,and platinum is impossible.
What perks besides the ones posted on the Marriott site can I expect?
Do silvers get any extra point activitys that are not available to the general public?
I know golds and Plats get nifty coupon books every year,do silvers get any mailings at all?Coupons etc?
I must say I am impressed with Starwood,2 nights and I get some great offers already.
Can I be preparred to be equally impressed with Marriot Rewards?
Thanks in advance for your feedback

Nope, basically get whatever the website says - isn't that mainly points? But I like Marriott - even when Silver never had a problem getting award stays.

Silver is just the basic 20% bonus in terms of points.

It is the high-quality of the properties and staff at Marriotts that keeps me giving them those ten nights a year.

Nothing in recognition, only in rewards: If you choose to earn MR points, your account will automatically be credited with a 20% bonus on base points. Assuming you spend $ 100,--/night and stay ten nights a year � letting promotions aside � you are earning 12.000 MR points a year. That�s not enough to stay one reward night in a full service property (Marriott or Renaissance). If I were you, I would not try to renew any low tier in a FGP, I would try to book at PL et al.

Silver Privileges

No, but look at Gold Passport.

10 stays at *wood gets you gold, which despite all its shortcomings, quite frequently gets you an upgraded room, 4 pm late checkout, and 50% bonus points.

Just something to consider...

Having said that, Marriott has a lot more properties. And the Courtyards, etc. are far superior to *wood 4 pts. Besides, as a silver MR, you can still take advantage of their "elite only" awards, for what that's worth.

I can always find a Marriott, even in smaller cities, not so with *wood. Have yet to be upgraded as a silver though. In Seattle this weekend, i booked a waterfront room, and was put on the 3rd floor, without a window that opened. Nice view, but for what I paid, I figured I'd get a concierge floor or at least an upper floor. Disappointing. Anyone have any luck with upgrades as a lowly silver?

You are obviously forgetting about the "Elite" door key!

As a silver I've received a couple of minor room upgrades, but nothing to get excited over. I learned early on to not expect anything and enjoy the typically excellent properties.

Hello Big Guy,

I was silver for 4 years before I was upgraded to Gold. Marriott Promotions that come out annually are the Megabonus Promotion (which usually runs from February to May), Double (Base) Points Visa Promotion (ran from October 2005 to January 2006 previously, but is an annual promotion) in which you earn double points on hotel stays when paying with a Visa; there are others as well.

There's a thread about the Marriott Premier Visa Card in which you can earn 15,000 pts. with your 1st purchase, a free golf certificate, you earn 5 pts. per $$ spent at Marriott hotels, 2 pts. perr $$ spent on dining and rental cars, and 1 pt. per $ on all other purchases.

You would also earn a free night certificate at any Marriott (Cat. 1-4) and 15 free nights toward your Marriott Rewards account. These 2 incentives right here can be earned annually provided that your Premier Visa account is in good standing.

You mentioned that you don't travel much. I was in the same boat. I usually averaged 27 nights a year. But when I received 15 nights from the Premier Visa card, this helped me to reach Gold Status this year. So, with the free 15 nights that you would earn, you would need 36 nights for the remaining of the year to reach Gold status. I made business and leisure stays for myself, made hotel reservations for colleagues, for whom I knew were attending conferences which really helped out.

I hope this helps.

Marcell

Agree.

For the most part, MR has treated me well even as a lowly silver, extending my status one year though I fell a few nights short.

Well things have changed since my post (which is now over two years old)
"I will never get to gold-I just don't stay that many nights,and platinum is impossible."

I am MR gold this year(all on stays no CC promotions)and will most likely attain gold again this year.This has been mainly leisure-although I have had a little more job related travel this year)and because of the good MR promotions last year-this year seems a little light on promos,thus I have swung a larger portion of stays to SPG.

Hadn't noticed that.