Full disclosure: As the example "forty nighter," I should point out that I've been a platinum since 2004, and averaged 120+ nights/yr 2005-2007. In 2005, I also provided one property with fairly significant aid (in the form of time and labor) during an emergency situation, for which I was given a large number of MR points and a very nice personal thank you note from its GM. I don't know whether Marriott keeps track of that kind of stuff (I kind of doubt it), but it may have been considered as part of my requalification.

Please excuse the fuzziness on the numbers below, but generally, there have been few differences. As a PM, the one perk that I've leaned on several times is guaranteed availability at Marriott properties with 48 hour notice. This year alone, I've needed to stay in the PGH Ren, BVT CY, and NYC Anyhotel when they've been booked solid. The PM Guaranty got me into each, albiet at a high price.

Prior to being PM, I needed to be in Ft. Meyers on three days notice. (2001!?!) The only hotel I could get was a very expensive Motel 6. The noise. The uncomfortable bed. The lock didn't work correctly, so I wedged a chair under the doorknob. The PM guaranty is my safety net against that happening again.

Another advantage is the PM Welcome Gift. I've chosen the points, split my stays between full service and non-full service, for an average of 375 points on ~50 check-ins, for a ~22,500 bonus points as a PM.

Going forward, though, PM will received 50% bonus points, as opposed to GM, which I believe will still receive 25% bonus points. On 90 nights at an average of 2,000 points per night, that comes out to approximately 90,000 bonus points per year, versus 45,000 for GM. Added to the welcome gift, that comes out to an additional 65,500 points per year for being PM instead of GM.

There are surely additional differences that other people can think of, but these are the differences important to me. Many people are into getting room upgrades, but I have not found those to be more forthcoming as a PM than a GM. They've been few and far between either way.

Marriott's allowing people who technically didn't qualify to get PM status might make sense. MI has to come out financially ahead on a 40-nighter who stays at JWs than a 75-nighter who only stays at TownPlace Suites. Rewarding those profitable customers with status makes sense.

Perhaps a bonus when you reach a level from nights stayed (Butt in Bed) would alleviate the sting for those who feel cheated. Perhaps a bonus 2,500 for reaching/renewing SM (10 nights, Butt in Bed, so not including CC or bonus nights.), maybe another 5,000 for reaching/renewing GM (50 nights, Butt in Bed), and maybe another 10,000 for reaching/renewing PM (75 nights, Butt in Bed). Yeah, I'm liking that phrase this morning!That would be a total of 17,500 bonus/PM/Yr. That gets you a full extra night in a Level 3 or lower hotel, or halfway to a free night at a Level 7 hotel.

I think you've been proven wrong.

I guess we can agree to disagree - I remember learning the lesson of Matthew 20:1-16 as a child and it must have stuck with me. I've happily introduced frields and co-worker to various challenges/status matches/double stays promos over the years and have always been happy when they achieved status.

I looked this up and it is an interesting story. Certainly the vineyard owner (Marriott) is free to do whatever it wants with its money. Once, I guess.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...atthew+20:1-16

But what happens the next day? Does the same "sucker" work for 11 hours (or as hard) when he now knows the next guy might get the same pay for a hour's work? Does the owner move onto a completely new bunch of suckers (guests) time after time, killing any loyalty?

Why doesn't the US government just mint more money and hand it out to those who don't want to work? Then what motivates the baker to get up at 3am and produce something to use that money on?

Same concepts, different scale.

At the risk of going OMNI, aren't they doing this now :(

On topic - my DH did 125 nites this year - should he complain that people who made 75 are PLT? In the overall scheme of life, this all seems very insignificant.

It really is, it really is. Funny though an entire industry has brain washed us to think that qualifications, status and elite levels actually mean something tangible :). When the rubber meets the road, its all a bunch of funny money anyway!

I am basing my guess on the info provided by Marriott Concierge when someone earlier asked about being extended platinum status after missing the 75 nights for one year. It was stated that they look at the prior stay record of the past 3 years and determine whether to extend the platinum status in part on how many nights one had stayed on average. The other possible info that they can use to grant status extensions would be average revenue spent per year. However, it seemed that the manual review focused more on prior nights stayed per year. One can safely assume that someone with more nights will get an extension over someone with fewer nights, unless they take revenue into account for the review.

Personally, I have run across two people in my travels who have had their platinum status extended this way. One guy is a consultant who had 1 million points in his account. Another guy had his travel plans drop for a year, but he got the reprieve for a year and was back to qualifying by staying 75+ nights in a year. He mentioned his gratefulness to the concierge in the concierge lounge for Marriott doing this. These extensions occurred a few years ago, so they suggest to me that Marriott has been doing this unofficially for a while. The letter I got from Bill Marriott for my early advancement to platinum was a form letter. If you think Bill made a one time exception for me only, then I have a perpetual motion machine to sell you.

I suppose the real issue is should a program base status solely on the listed requirements or should there be unwritten ways to get the status (or have status extended). Do I feel that my platinum status is worth less because some people got it with less nights? Not really. I would be more upset if Marriott dropped the official requirement to 50 nights/year. I realize that others may not agree with my view.

There is only one definite reason to stay at Marriott beyond the required 75 nights: to get to lifetime platinum status faster. A possible benefit to platinum regulars for these grace extensions of status is that some customers will keep more of their business at Marriott (and help keep lounges and buffets open for the rest of us).

I have Hilton Gold through my Hilton Amex card, Hyatt Diamond through a status match this year (and will earn the hard way next year), and Marriott Platinum with my personal stays. I have stayed a lot at Marriott because I like the service I get, especially at regular properties where I often get some unpublished benefits as well. They do a good job of taking care of me.

General rule is that plats can re-buy for 50K points to maintain, if they don't make it. Also, they generally just drop one level (soft landing) if you don't.

Megabonus mattress runs are worth it either way...

Gimme, gimme, gimme, b!tch, b!tch, b!tch...

Sour grapes ain't gonna get you anywhere in the long run...

You're not likely to have more competition for PL bennies in 2009, as it's apparent MH sees '09 biz down significantly.

If the 'other' hotel programs are that fabulous, maybe you oughta just go with them. Perhaps you'd be happier(or less unhappier).

Getting your 75 nites in is part of the cost of doing business. Complaining about a -few- others who are getting a little slack from MH(and who are usually repeat PL members) is also part of the cost of doing business.

Relax, go with the flow, it'll ALL be OK...

I guess I should chime back in being one of the 40+ nighters extended a plat renewal....

Holy ....! Some people on here are incredible. Yes, I did get an early renewal so it's easy for me to say this but for crying out loud someone get some of the whiners on here a bottle. This is unbelievable. I understand people getting upset with the devaluation of points (that makes sense) but to cry over this is incredible.

a.) I have been a 100+ nighter the last few years.
b.) 90% of those stays have been FS and continue to be FS
c.) I'm going to need one of the people who feel they are on the short end of this stick to quantify what they believe to be the detriment to there stay quality?
d.) Based on a response to c and based on the travel industry clearly hurting during this recession, do you think the fewer amount of people traveling will offset the perceived quality decline from c? If not, please explain why.
e.) If I had 50 nights would you feel better about the situation? 60? 70? How about if I had 70 nights this year and 75 the last 3 years? Where exactly are you drawing the line?
f.) the "majority" of Marriott Plat members are travelers for business. With business down, I for one, have had my travel stays down as a direct result which in turn has hurt Marriott's revenue. Exactly how bad do you think the travel industry should be before they extend an offer like this? If the industry was down 90% would this be an acceptable practice since your perceived quality would not be impacted?
g.) For those begging for something from Marriott know that I never asked for this but gladly accept. What could Marriott do for you to make you happy? Since you earned it all by yourself would you like an extra bottle of wine at check-in? Please enlighten me.
h.) Without knowing everyone's exact situation I think it's not only "babyish" but borderline rude to cry about how poorly you're being treated because you had to earn your platinum back. For all we know you stayed 75 nights at a $69/night residence inn as opposed to 45 nights at a $250/night FS. So please explain why Marriott shouldn't differentiate between the 2?
i.) Great WVU vs UNC bowl game on, so I'm done.

I'm just blown away at the ridiculousness of some of the posts by "senior" members of the FT community. Get a grip. If you feel it necessary to take your business elsewhere go ahead, but don't throw it back in everyone's face like they care.

Step. Away. From. The. Keyboard. :D

Okay, let me try to take a stab at answering your questions.

a) Good for you, and I suspect you have been plat or PP those years. You enjoyed the benefits you earned.
b) Great! Since elite benefits are most applicable to FS properties, you really got the most out of them you could.
c) The detriment to stay quality is subjective. With more elites, there is less that can be done for each one individually. Fewer available upgrades, for example, since there will be more people competing for them.
d) The two items are distinct. Fewer travelers will mean that hotels have to cut services just to stay in business. So now you'll have a higher proportion of elites (since at least some of them wouldn't be elite of a certain level without the "gift" from Marriott) competing for fewer services.
e) I'm drawing the line at 75, for plat. That's where Marriott drew it too. In fact, by performing this manual review and granting status based on an unlisted set of criteria, it is Marriott themselves who have created this situation where some folks are now happy and others are upset.
f) I don't see the logic in this argument. If there are fewer travelers overall but more of them are elites, then the whole program and the benefits that can be extended are watered down.
g) I, like you, would not ask for special consideration like this but would of course accept it as well. And I don't know what "extra" would be appropriate from Marriott for those who met the original thresholds for status. I never really thought about it until this thread, because I didn't realize they were lowering the bar for other people. But if a bottle of wine were offered (especially depending on the particular bottle), I wouldn't complain! ;)
h) Again, the rules are published and clear. If they just stuck to them, then the only people who could complain (albeit "babyishly" and pointlessly), would be those who didn't meet the criteria but who for some reason thought their business was valuable enough to warrant an exception. Yes, 75 nights at a $49 FI does not bring as much revenue to Marriott as a one-night stay in a $4,000 suite at a FS in NYC. But they are the ones who set up the rules that way.
i) Hopefully watching huge men trample each other helped release some of your pent-up frustration!

Come on--grand scheme of things? None of this matters. Will I really get fewer upgrades or smaller smiles when checking in because a few people got their plat status renewed who didn't stay 75 nights? Of course not, but it's a perception thing.

What if you studied your ... off in school for a test and got a well-deserved "A". Then you looked over at your neighbor's paper and saw that he scored a 70 but the teacher also gave him an "A" for putting in a good effort. How would you feel?

You know, I'm shocked that this is an issue at all. As a part of our business, all of my colleges are way down on nights, and all of us are loyal to Marriott except when it is either cost prohibitive or unavailable.

DJ_Iceman and others keep bringing up the dilution of elite benefits. The premise is that there will be so many more. I say, that what is really happening is the retention of elites, not the increase. I believe we all remember the promotion to instant GOLD not so long ago, and that was a dilution of benefits.

I was the original person who asked Marriott Concierge about the buy back program which has been in place for years which allowed a 35k or 50k to retain earned benefits. I was fully willing to buy back to status, but in the end, Marriott offered a much better plan.

I don't know facts, but I would speculate Marriott saw a LARGE percentage (say maybe 25% or 33%) of elites loosing existing status, and also saw lower occupancy rates for 2009, and saw this as an opportunity for good PR, Karma, etc...

Please, let not push this topic to OMNI. We're adults for goodness sake.

If you surpassed the 75 night point this year, congratulations. I hope this is a good indication of the quality of your business. However, many of us wish that we were experiencing the same signs of prosperity.

"God bless us, everyone." --Tiny Tim

too much biatching from some of you as well to respond to all but for those of you who are bragging about a few years ago.. BFD..

to those who said I got what I was promised; no I didn't, I thought we were all playing by the same rules or at least most of us were.. apparantly not

Well since marriott is giving away the house at Plat level and then bending me forward with the new rate redemption and new categories.. the economy is something we all deal with and b/c my travel is not being cut I shouldn't have my benefits diluted b/c yours are..

some of you chose to do 125+ nights but thats your choice as you only had to do 75 per the stated t&c's.. why one would go over is beyond me.. i can think of some reasons but all in all I see no reason to give MR a 76th night.

I think it may be time to drop my nights by 33% to (give or take a few) 50 nights (want to make sure I maintain gold).. I can give those other nights to Hyatt where I'm diamond, SPG (plat), and go back to Hilton (now gold) and make diamond there.

either I will keep the freebie at MR or just go with the new Hh Diamond.. its my (or my employers) dime that I choose to spend where I want on the brand I want. When MR (or is it MI) allows me to get Plat with some unwritten amount less than 75 (which I plan to test including the cc nights) then I'll know what the real rules are and can make a better decision on to whether MR is the right chain to allocate 75 nights too.

Now a nice double night/stay credit could change that strategy by making it a bit more even up front.

maybe MR should go to a revenue based program; not sure it would solve everything but it might be a step in the right direction

Really? Which listed benefit of the Rewards Program did you not get?

I think that you have read other promises into the program such as maintaining certain levels of exclusivity at each level, and that Marriott won't give status through any other means. However, these are not Marriott's promises.

Platinum status is Marriott's to give to others as it sees fit. Your part of the bargain is whether you believe the Marriott status is worth it to you.

I don't quite understand this post. I would like to know where I was proven wrong. I simply said we, reading an internet forum thread, were never given enough information to justify the extreme emotional responses that we have seen. How was that thought proven wrong? At the time of my post, all anyone had posted was how many nights they stayed in 2008 and that Marriott extended their Platinum status. My point was that we do not have the necessary information to get worked up over it. Marriott can look through nights stayed in years past, how many points someone has, stay patterns, revenue from a guest, etc. You can agree or disagree with my point, but I think it is a little absurd to say I was proven wrong about having a lack of details.

To the people who are saying that Platinum should be 75 nights and only at 75 nights, does that mean, since you read the eligibility requirements so rigidly, that if (and yes I know it is a big if) you were to receive a upgrade to a suite that you would politely decline it, seeing as how that is not a benefit listed in the rewards program, and Marriott should strictly adhere to their stated rules?

It's an extremely smart business strategy to take on this process as Marriott has, and I think the tone of this thread proves that. The number of posters speaking positively about it and stating they would choose to stay at Marriott because of this far outnumber the few who are bitter over it. I can only imagine how much Marriott would get flamed on these boards and how many people would take their business elsewhere if Marriott told their Platinum members, "Sorry, Platinum level is only at 75 nights. No, it doesn't matter how much you've stayed with us in the past. 75 nights means 75 nights!" Something tells me a few of the posters who claim that 75 nights should mean 75 nights would throw a fit if Marriott told them that and they only had 70...

If giving away status gets more people to stay in hotels, which in turn allows hotel and restaurant employees to maintain their jobs - have at it Marriott.

I wonder how many of those who think this is so "unfair" are the same ones who, once they hit 75 nights, are off to another chain because they have maxed the bennies at Marriott?

Marriott giving another person status does not affect my status. Were I to take business to another chain because I had "maxed out" on MR certainly does affect the Marriott bottom line...is that unfair?

I choose where to spend my travel dollars - Marriott can choose how they spend their marketing dollars.

"Fair" is a 2 way street.................

Marriott has my full support for 24 years and I keep on going!
 

I have been LOYAL to Marriott for 24 years and have no plans to stop. They take GQQD care of me around the World no matter what city I am in. The Marriott Hotels have the best locations for where I want to stay. That convenience is hard to beat or find with other Hotel chains. All upgrade are a bonus.

Having stayed the required number of nights for permanent Gold Elite status is another Marriott gift, since I won't be able to travel as much as in the past 18 years to earn that Elite status. But it will be nice to continue to enjoy the benefits of Elite status
I even qualified on the basis of havings sufficient points for permanent Elite status with 2 million points, and that is nice as a TRIPLE HITTER!

It gives me a sad feeling when I have to stay at another Hotel chain property for a meeting or for that rare occasion due to the more desirable location in a part of the city I want to be in. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often.

So I appreciate the Marriott Rewards program and I like the way they manage their Hotesl by the treatment they give me. Fortunately, I am able to stay at the full service Marriotts most of the nights.

No complaints here. Thanks Marriott!

:-::-::-::-::-:

bold my emphasis

Yes I am one that hits the streets at the 75 night mark; I did it this year as I have each and every Plat requal year past (I think I had 76 once); MR has not given me a reason to stay past 75, plain and simple; these hotels are a commodity, the only thing that distinguishes them (in general) is the what can you do for me factor.. the other chains (in general.. we can all get into specific property service.. i have my favorite MR's as well) match Marriott in pretty much every way shape and form and I'd even say Hyatt has gone way above MR but their problem is a location issue (or lack of them)

MR and the fair/2 way comment.. yes it is.. and it will cost them my business.. not only the 76 forward nights but this year nights 51-75 as well.. again barring a double night promo or similar. Why, b/c I am willing to bet myself that I can get the same thing (plat) for a 1/3 less nights.. MR is setting the rules here and I'm just playing by them

You took the words right out of my mouth!
 

Wow, I even match the 24 years! I started traveling heavily in 1984, when I worked for the government. Marriott was always the best for offering government rates, and I became fiercely loyal -- and still am.

I will have 122 paid nights this year, plus quite a few award nights. I keep hoping that somebody will smile on me and make me Platinum Premier, but I'm Lifetime Platinum and won't complain about that!

If Marriott wants to bend the rules slightly for long-time frequent guests, I'm never going to complain about it. I would hope that they might do the same for me one day if I need something like that.

Bruce

I guess I have to take the blame as back on page 1 I had one of the first posts that looked at this from a different angle. Don't get me wrong, I said then and I'll reiterate now, I'm all for Marriott helping those truly affected by the economy. Yet I can't help but think there are those who maintain status in multiple programs that will take advantage of Marriott's good graces and choose to be loyal to other programs while begging Marriott to grant them status. I realize there is no way for Marriott to differentiate between the two. I will disagree with the quote above. When you give away status to those who truly did not earn it, it affects everyone who has status. More elite points in the pool means award rooms will become scarcer, and with the elimination of stay anytime rewards (a decision I support by the way), award rooms will become even scarcer. Face it, properties aren't going to throw a significant percentage of their rooms into the award pool when they have a bottom line to meet. And I submit it's those people that will have begged Marriott for grace while maintaining status in multiple programs that will complain the loudest when they can't book their award stay when they want it.

I have been Plat for 2005, 2006 and 2007. This year (due to change in travel policy) I hit only 40 nights. I would love a grace year and a chance to get back to 75 nights in 2009, which I believe to be doable.

I truly am exclusively loyal to the Marriott brand including $40,000+ invested in MVCI.

Well, by whatever formula Marriott's using to determine who gets to retain Plat status in 2009, versus who doesn't get the "free pass", you just have to remember that Marriott's doing what they think is right for Marriott (regardless of what you, I, and everyone else thinks about it). I'm sure that 2009 is a scary proposition for all of these hotel chains, so Marriott's just doing what they feel they need to do to be competitive in the New Year. Those who aren't getting the advance "free pass" for 2009 should call and make their case--it's hard to imagine Marriott not giving in if there's any compelling reason to keep you as Platinum. If Marriott still refuses, well, then I guess you can read into that decision and make some assumptions about your relative value to the Marriott Hotels chain.

Bruce..i hope they make you PP too, but to be honest...there isn't ONE iota of difference between the 2 levels (heck, there isn't much diff bet gold and plat!)

I was consolatory that I would be bounced down to Silver or Gold having only stayed 25 nights by Mid-Aug, and then I received a letter from MR, about staying another 18nights before 31st Dec and I would keep my PLT status.

It was a hard push with only two months left, but managed to reorganise a few trips to make it.

Hopefully it will be worthwhile, even if just for the pitiful upgrades.

BM

Just another thought:
If a member is not "allowed" to fall back to Gold, he/she cannot qualify via the rolling period. So instead of requalifying for Plat with a few nights in early 2009 and earning Plat until 2/2011 our Plat member is "forced" to do more paid nights in 2009 to requalify for 2010.

I find it rather disgusting that Marriott was so quick to strip my Platinum status away after someone hacked my account, accusing me of "allowing such fraudulent activity to occur" even after 200+ paid nights/year for the past two years yet "the economy is so bad" that they have to relax the qualification guidelines. Oh well Starwood and Hyatt are happily receiving my revenue now-a-days.

So much pontificating over something that Marriott has been doing for years. Go back and read post #2. FWIW, this has nothing to do with the current economy; although they might be a bit more generous now than in previous end of year reviews. So many more important things to get upset about, like that Madoff guy stealing that 2 billion from me. :D Everyone have a very Happy New Year!

I was worried that I was going to be downgraded with 73 nights this year but just logged in and got the requalification for PLT until Jan 2010. I don't have a lot of disposable income to do a mattress run this year but I am thankful they did this for me.....I'm usually the one to chide for getting something that is not earned and I really expected to be downgraded to gold which I wouldn't have minded.

Just got upgrades
 

I just got upgraded to Gold and I was 3 nights short. I was very impressed that Marriott would do this!

Not expecting this
 

I stayed 10 paid nights with Marriott this past year.

In August, I was specifically asked why I had cut back on staying with Marriott. I was honest and thorough in my assessment, mentioning items like no free breakfast on weekends, no real room upgrades or real benefits when I stay at a CY or FI and inadequate bonus points for stays.

I got a new PLT card for next year. 2008 was the first time I had ever hit PLT status. I do not know if my feedback yielded this card or not or whether my usage of my Marriott Visa had influence. I do know I will likely throw some extra business to Marriott I was going to give to Hilton when I have no SPG property to stay at. But I understand that those that fall just short and do not get such a comp will be annoyed and probably rightfully so.

EDITED to add: Actually, I may have been PLT 2-3 years running. I'm not quite sure. I do know I chose to move a significant amount of business to SPG this past year and I don't regret that. I will try to stay with both this year to see if the treatment of elites has improved (based on my perception, of course).

How are you guys checking if you are re-qualifying for next year?
In my account, it shows that I am platinum, but says:
Nights this year:

You have stayed 49 nights this year. You need 26 more nights to maintain Platinum level.

I wonder if Marriott will give me a grace year for next year.

The card in the mail today with the PLT materials and the expiration date of 02/10 was the only hint. To be quite honest, I haven't thought about Marriott in months and was more than ready to change my FT profile to reflect my dropping to Silver status (I would've removed it entirely).

RichMSN, I just got all the materials in the mail today for Platinum as well.

I only have 5 nights at a Marriott property this year.

I guess they figured that since I didn't use my platinum benefits in 08 they'd give me a shot to do it in 09. ;)

Seriously, it seems like, there is a massive status giveaway going on.

I have been Gold for the past two years. This year I stayed for 33 nights. When I log in to my account I get this message:

"Congratulations, you have renewed at Gold Elite status for 2009. "

My last stay this year, the guy who was checking me in said that I achieved Gold status". I was suprised, I didn't say anything but looks like it's true.

Been plat for a few years, Gold last year. Only 11 nights this year and no mercy so far. I'm not expecting it but would be nice - I have a lot of Marriott bookings next year and will cancel all if they drop me to Silver.

Although I agree they should stick to their limits, exceptions should be made. SPG Plat was 13 stays last year... That's where I will stick if Marriott shows no decency.

I was shocked today to receive a 2009 Platinum Status pack. I only had 37 nights this past year, and was given the offer a few weeks back to stay ~20 nights to maintain my plat status (I only hit 10 of those 20 nights). Since I didn't hit that target I assumed I'd drop to Silver (have the credit card) but much to my surprise the letter states my status will be good until 2/2010. This is truly a great thing for Marriott to do. They earned some major goodwill points with me today, and with my SPG Plat status disappearing in 2 days I will surely stay at Marriotts much more next year than I would have thanks to their generosity.

Nothing against the poster.. matter of fact good for you but as for the overall process..

I guess it only gets better and better.. not only was it 37 nights but when MR gave an opportunity earlier in the year that was not hit (not even close) they still gave Plat out.. this only reaffirms my 50 nights this year and most likely not a night more.. and yes I will expect plat based on the rules that MR is setting

regarding spg.. I thought that would expire at the end of Feb 2009.. I'm plat over there but since I keep requalifying, I don't know when it actually expires each year

Come on 11 Nights and still want Gold
 

11 nights and you still want GOLD? you missed it by 78%. Some people missed plat by 55% or so and still received it. I have a feeling revenue has something to do with it as well. Like one poster mentioned stays at almost all FS properties.

But at 11 nights i think you are wishful thinking you will get GOLD.

If you sign up for the cc, that'll give you 15 more, putting you at 26 - doubling your nights can't hurt your odds...

And if you don't hit it this year and have a lot of nights in 2009 (plus the 15 from the cc) , you might get upped to Gold early (just a theory, I have grounds to rely upon this theory)