The answer to this question is that the program rules provide absolutely no difference. It appears that some properties use platinum versus gold, along with other factors such as length of stay and price paid for room, as a basis to break ties as to upgrades.

I have received fantastic service from Marriott for being Platinum. Most recent example:

I had a flight this week from AMS to DTW to MCO (ugh). Checked in at the Orlando World Center (my first time, and GOSH, the hotel was gigantic). I was only checked in for the night, I had a flight to ORD scheduled the next afternoon.

During check in the Front Office Supervisor came and introduced himself, gave me his business card, and told me that if I needed anything he would be there until midnight. He asked me how my day was going and I mentioned my flight from AMS.

He was very sympathetic, said I must have been exhausted, and offered a $100 credit toward the Spa as a check in gift. I booked a 50 minute Swedish massage that night and fell asleep about 30 minutes in.

Beyond that, and this may sound stupid, but since I became Platinum, room service seems to be much quicker. CSRs have been superb, etc. etc. I just wish I got this kind of service from NWA or UA.

Funny enough had a similar experience at that hotel...not the spa certificate though.

i completely forgot that Marriott utilizes a rolling calendar and when i looked at my account this morning, i was a PLATINUM...woo hoo...

i have a question though...do you always get a 500 point bonus for checking in or is that considered the 'gift'.

my account says i need another 25 nights to maintain my platinum status. i don't know if i will get those nights, but when does this status expire?

Good question...I assume that qualifying in late 2007 would yield Plat status good through early 2009. I'm in the same boat: made Plat with a rolling 75 nights, but might not hit 75 in calendar 2007.

The 500 points is one of the choices for the Plat gift. I've been taking a 1/2 bottle of merlot and mixed nuts instead...although I've only hit 2 different full-service properties since making Plat. Nothing unusual was offered.

how do you specify what gift you want? what are some of the other options?

when i hit my gold mark earlier this year, the card i got said february 2009. i thought it was a fluke. i hope i can keep the platinum thru feb 09 b/c i am going to Phuket and i heard that the breakfast at the Marriott is to die for and that you get it free for being a platinum (a $100 value for 2 people...)

What I've seen so far is that they hand me a card at check-in. I can mark points, or I can mark a beverage and food choice.

I don't recall all of the choices off the top of my head: 1/2 bottle of Chardonnay, 1/2 bottle of Merlot, beer, or soda. Food choices were nuts, cheese/fruit, and a couple of other things.

I do believe there was a discussion on this a while back and Marriott Concierge (Chris) chimed in. He stated that no matter when the rolling status kicks you up a level, you will have that level for the rest of the current year and all the following year.

If I remember correctly, I think there was some speculation about getting '74' nights on a rolling basis by Dec. 31st and then get the 75th night in early January. You would then get your elite upgrade and have it for more than 2 years.

The options on the card that Pinniped mentions for the most part seem to have similar options, but can be different. You will only receive the card at FS properties. At the lower end properties you will normally just have some water and maybe some cookies in your room when you check-in. No real options. (Though at some Courtyards, if I ask, I have been able to choose a cola and a snack from their mini-mart next to the check-in counter.)

thanks for the info...for the past 3 months i have been in a FS, but all of this is going to stop in a week or two...bleh...but i still get a vacation (or 2) out of this...woo hooo...

That about sums it up with the addition of a pint of ice cream. I suspect the offerings are all the same country wide since the blue card looked the same at the 20+ different FS/REN's I've been to as PLT in the last year.

Some properties seem to go all out in their presentation of the same offering while to others it just seems like a necessary bother. For example, the cheese, cutup fruit and crackers can be fresh, varied and arranged nicely -or- here's a small package of generic crackers, a commerically packaged & sealed chunk of cheese and an apple.

I just qualified on the Rolling 75 nights Platinum plan. :rolleyes: I only need 5 more nights for 75 nights this year. :D Have another trip in Oct coming up with about 30 nights expected. Was not sure if the Current Platinum level based on 12 month rolling nights lasted until 2008 or 09 or until the 12 month rolling nights dropped below 75 nights, say in the middle of 2008, if I didn't get a total of 75 nights this year?

Thought I would use up points accumulated for 4 award weeks and also get 5 more paid nights for this year, then I will be assured of Platinum until 2009. :-: And it will become painful after 2009, if I don't requalify. It was worth it, so far, with my first stay as a Platinum, even if they forgot to ask about the 'gift'! There is a nice difference compared to being Gold with the OVERALL service. I am looking forward to more stays, more then ever! :cool:

Friends can not understand my loyalty and paying the price for Marriott stays. I like the Concierge Lounge access and the other little perks, that were part of Gold Elite. Now as a Plat it will be even more fun looking forward to the upgrades, Breakfasts, etc.

Was Plat in the 1990's, but there seems to be more benefits, now. But what I really want is a firm well made good bed and nice bathroom. Although it seems most hotel's housekeeping don't know or have forgotten how to make a hospital or military SQUARE CORNERED bed with a bottom sheet, that stays in place (tucked in) all day and night. I have to keep giving lessons from NYC to RIO to Calif. It has become a lost art. Even the Fairmont hotel in Vancouver had the poorest made bed of all. It was so bad, I had the Supervisor come up to the room for a session. It was very interesting for me to learn of the many problems a hotel has with their beds, linens etc. :(

You will be a Platinum Elite through February, 2009. It won't matter whether you get your 5 more nights in this year or not.

IMO, Plat is only marginally better than Gold. I don't know if I'd do a MR to get to Plat... probably not worth it.

I've been staying annually at this property since 2000 with mixed results. I recall getting into a screaming match with a CSR at the business center who insisted that any "wired for business" calls had to be made via my laptop, not via the phone in the room and therefore all my LD calls would be charged at hotel rates. Had to fight to get that reversed.

But last year, as a Gold on the way to PLT, they gave me a "Platium for a Day" card which entitled me to their Breakfast buffett, normally $23pp. No CL here. Doesn't that imply that the give breakfast vouchers to PLT even though a resort?

Its a great place although a bit pricey. I used to love sleeping to the waterfalls and foutains in the pool but last year they seemed to stop running them at night.

what is the official deal with 'platinums' and breakfast? is this the same breakfast that is in the concierge lounges or some other special breakfast? if any of you have been to the Phuket J-dub, being a platinum gets me this superb breakfast that i keep reading about for free, right?