Marriott Elite Levels
 

As a Silver Elite Member, I feel that there is a huge difference in the number of nights needed to maintain Silver Status and to reach Gold Status. Silver requires 10 nights to maintain its status; Gold requires 50 nights (a 40 night difference in reaching this level from Silver); Platinum requires 75 nights (which is just a 25 night difference from Gold).

I stayed between 25-30 nights last calendar year. I think there should be some consideration made for people who stay at least that number of nights each year. I try to maximize ways to reach the Gold and/or Platinum level, but for me, that level is so high.

So, I think a new level should be created, a level between Silver and Gold. The new level should be called "Bronze". This name would fit perfectly based on the order of value (like the Olympic metals). The Bronze level should be created for those people who reach around 25 nights a year; there should be some more promotions (like the Buy 1 Get 1 Free Night) which may give some extra incentive for others to stay more nights at various hotels; this may result in others reaching their desired level.

Let me know what you think.

Instead of "Bronze," maybe it should be called "Marcell." After all, 2006 is the year of "individualized" service.

Seriously, if anything should be done, maybe Silver should be raised to a higher threshold. Marriott has defined its program as it is. I believe there are other programs that offer "higher" status for fewer nights. Those programs are less successful. Perhaps there is a correlation.

IIRC, the threshold for Silver used to be 15 nights until a couple of years back.

I thought in the Olympics Silver medals are between Bronze and Gold. So putting Bronze between Silver and Gold makes no sense.

Why? The only brand that gives better benefits after 30 nights is Starwood, which is generally a better choice for those with relatively few stays. If there's another factor that keeps you at Marriott, though, like a lack of Starwoods where you stay or a business requirement...well, there's no reason for MR to keep you loyal.

No more than you get for Silver perhaps the name should be changed to "Token" or perhaps even "Squat." Seriously, my experience going up to Gold twice is there is a defacto level as you approach 50 where the desk starts throwing in Gold before you get there. Then again most of my stays are at the same few hotels and they recognized and humored me I'm sure.

If you have relatively short stays, you might be better off with the Hilton program. My average stay is about 1.5 nights. I can easily make Gold at Hilton with only 16 stays and can get close to Diamond, which is at 28 stays. I'm normally in the 35 nights per year range, which leaves me in stuck in the middle of Silver and Gold no man's land with Marriott.

I highly doubt that MR will start a New level. As 1 poster said, a couple of yrs ago it took 15 nights for Silver. and Silver is given out like Candy, heck dont stay even 1 night but get the MR Visa CC and you are Silver. maybe MR has to raise it again.

Now even if MR will make a 4th Level , I dont see how it will benefit the OP One Bit. Why cause say it will be at the 25 night level, call it Silver and it will give you what you get now for being Silver.

Then MR has a new Level Bronze at 10 nights that will get you 10% Bonus Pts instead of the old Silvers 20%. So instead of any Enhancements to Silver or whatever its called at the 25 Night level , ALL that will happen is the new level will be the 1st Level and you'll get less than what Silver gets now.

I really dont see MR uping what they already give Golds/Plats and if they dont do that, then they cant up what Silvers are getting now, so the new level would have to give Less Than what Silver is getting now. IMO

Aint no way they will give Upgrades to Silvers and all the Goodies that a person gets for being Gold/Plat. so all a new level will do is rope those who get the Status from the MR Visa and those who dont stay much in the yr together. By doing so MR will probably lose alot of people who wont do 25 nights a yr, as they will say 25 nights just for a 20% Bonus, Heck for that I can get alot more out of SPG or HH.


So Sorry OP , I wouldnt hold my breathe if I was you, as I doubt that Silver will be enhanced in any measurable way at all, and if anything it would get worse by needing more Nights to get what you get now.

You are correct!

Going way back when Black was still around I thought it was 10....but my memory could be going too

I agree. It was 10 nights for the first level, then called Gold!

Bruce

I think everyone...
 

...who is "between levels" would like to see some extra consideration for their nights above the last threshold. 25 nights, wants some of the gold benefits, 60 nights, wants part-time platinum, and 100 nights wants the Platinum Premier even though they didn't earn it.

The levels are what they are, if you are concerned about getting credit for different levels, you can a) do more nights, b) use your 25 nights to get silver with 2 chains or c) go to Hilton, do 1 night stays and get credit for a stay every night. I think it only takes about 30 stays to get to Diamond.

As we all do Marcell you need to look at your travel pattern and figure out what gets you the best value.

As someone who recently became Gold on Marriott, I can understand your frustration about the large difference between nights required for silver versus gold. Marriott has chosen to make their membership program give the biggest benefits to those who stay the most nights. They believe that people will stay with them because of their consistent service and the large number of Marriott hotels available at various service levels. I have given my business to Marriott because I travel in areas where they have the most properties and because I value their consistent service. Also, Marriott is the only hotel program that allows you the opportunity to earn lifetime status for their elite levels.

That is one the major reasons why I stay exclusively with Marriott. I could qualify for top tier with at least three programs, but I feel that by spending all of my time in Marriotts I will be rewarded in the long term by becoming Platinum Emeretus...

Does anyone know what the stay requirements are for lifetime status?