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)

GQQD times at Marriott keep on running!
 

:-:Could it be, that Plat (and maybe Golds) spend more $$ on other charges like Dinners, cleaning, etc. in addition to the cost of the room, which suggests to Marriot to extend the Plat status to some who didn't make it to 75 in these distressed times? They are just trying to keep everyone busy enough to stay on rather then have to train more new employees on a revolving basis. That is GQQD for the guest, as well. :)
It seems some of the decision to keep more Plat's coming back is based on past slow periods or recessions. After all, many experts suggest or predict, that things will be much worse for everyone in 2009. Marriott has experts who listen to the many other experts and make their projections a year to years in advance. :confused:
I appreciate the sustained Plat level, since I was only a few nights short of 75. In the past, I would have proceeded to get those additional nights, but this year decided to pass based on the cost of doing so. Several trips are booked for early in 2009, so they keep me coming back for sure. :cool:
I have no complaints about that nor do I envy what others maybe benefit from Marriott's marketing plans. :rolleyes:

:-::-::-:

11 nights as a Gold and you'd like to keep that status? I don't blame you but I'm at 62 nights and if I fall back to Gold, so be it. But if everyone else is getting comped status and I don't, well then I'll stick with the competition just out of principle/spite. I've got no problem playing by the rules but I don't like to get the shaft.

what type of hotels do you stay at? FS?

I'll be at 73 nights after I check out of my current stay on Jan 1.

Upon check-in, the desk clerk told me "I see this stay will re-qualify you for Platinum status, congratulations and thank you for your loyalty."

^

^Congratulations! Enjoy every stay to the max!

I got laid off from my job in June and so I only have 65 nights this year. To date I have heard nothing from MR regarding renewal of my Platinum status. My account still shows 10 nights needed to renew. I have been Platinum since 2002, so this is the first time in 7 years I haven't hit 75 nights and made the cut. I agree with you FWB, I also don't like to feel I am getting shafted and with what I am hearing on this board, (ie fters with less than 50 nights getting their platinum status renewed) if I am bumped down to Gold, I will also be taking my business elsewhere in 2009.

I wonder if the Marriott Concierge can shed some light on the criteria MR is using to comp or carry over Platinum Status from 2008 to 2009?

RIP...

Mixture of all, FI and CY for work. Marriott and Rens for pleasure. But for qualification purposes, I'm not sure it should matter. If a Fairfield Inn stay isn't as profitable as a Ren stay or is looked at as less valuable, maybe it shouldn't count as a full night. Maybe it should take more nights at Fairfield Inns to qualify - but if that's the case, state it in the rules. Make it part of the t & cs. Make it transparent.

I am sure my response will not be as specific as some of you would like, but I will try to give you a glimpse into how and why these upgrades occur. I would like to first point out, as has already been pointed out by earlier posters, that every year we renew some accounts based on unpublished criteria. Perhaps there has been a greater need this year as a result of the wide spread economic downturn. We have found that cutting a little slack to those who have shown a pattern of loyalty to Marriott in the past has resulted in increased loyalty when the individual’s travel pattern returns to normal. I am sure we do not have a perfect formula for determining when we renew and when we do not, and some potentially loyal customers slip through the cracks. Primarily we look at stay history for the past three years to make our determination. Even individuals who stayed only a few nights this year may have shown significant loyalty during the prior two years and deserve to be recognized for this by allowing them to retain their status for at least one more year.

Ira

These renewals show great business sense. Or at least mine did. Mine came in the form of a challenge, not a giveaway. I was at 24 nights in late October, and MR offered to renew my gold status for staying 14 more nights before Dec 31.

Renewing gold makes it much more likely I'll stay with Marriott next year. My travel has slowed down from previous years, so I'm deciding which elite programs to maintain in 2009 and which to drop. Prior to the challenge I had decided to drop MR for 2009. But now I think I'll stick with them and try to renew gold again.

But even more important than wishes for the future is revenue today. Marriott's challenge drove significant extra revenue from me in 2008. Without the offer I would have stayed with Marriott just 4 nights in Nov-Dec (hotels chosen by colleagues) instead of 14. Revenue from those 10 extra nights was about $2000. That looks like a good trade from Marriott's side.

Let me see.....

If 11 nights gets Gold and 37 nights get Platinum, I wonder what my 216 nights will get me?

Wait I know..... an overcrowded concierge lounge!!!