Perhaps Marriott is considering reducing their tier requirements downward, say 60 for Plat, 45 for Gold or something. Another option might be retaining the qualifing tier requirements but allowing reduced re-qualification similar to what some of the European and Asian carriers do sometimes.

I have always thought Marriotts' tier requirements were very stringent especially with the sliding benefits scale that we are beginning to see.

I was amazed to find a new platinum card is my mailbox today. I had 17 nights in 2008, a whopping 2 of which were paid. The other 15 were from the Marriott Premier Visa.

I should also add that in 2007, I only had 68 nights and they rolled me over for another year. So, I got not one, but two free passes.

The sin of it is that I will likely have 0 nights in 2009.

I'd rather they keep it as is and use a 2X night credit promo; that way they could effectively reduce the number of nights to qualify for 2009 but still keep the high levels for future years if the economy rebounds.. without a stink that is.. if they lower it and then raise it again.. man will you guys go nutso

Marriott's actions make perfect sense. Marriott realizes that its hard to be mid-tier after being top tier. Many people maintain status in multiple programs. I actively maintain in Starwood and Marriott, and passively in Hyatt and Hilton. At the end of 2008 I had easily requalified with Starwood but only had 65 nights with Marriott.

Had Marriott downgraded me to gold, I would face the very real prospect that my next 75 nights with Marriott would be without the platinum perks. As such, I would have been very tempted to drop Marriott and work on other programs such as Hyatt or even Hilton as I am currently mid-tiered with both. Achieving top tier in either would be a cakewalk by comparison to Marriott.

However, by extending my status, I no longer face the prospect of my next 75 nights as a gold. Since I retained my platinum status, Hyatt and Hilton are no longer tempting me. As such, Marriott will continue getting my business, which is generally over 75 nights each year. In fact I just spent 4 nights with Marriott this year.

To those who feel slighted. As the Marriott Concierge states, there are unpublished criteria by which a member may achieve or retain status. You have not lost anything that you were promised.

I would certainly go for that. Has Marriott ever done this? I searched the forum, but could not find any examples.

I think MC quite clearly stated they calculate average nights per last 3 years if status is not renewed the traditional way?

True, I don't really deserve it. But the thing is there is no credit card available here for the extra 15nts - that would put me to 26.

Also, not a single Marriott property in my home country and none in the two neighbouring ones, and my longhaul travel is down. Additionally I normally stay 1-2 nights (all JW, Ren, and a couple of Marriott Resorts this year), thus no option for stay based qualification is hurting me.

If you're referring to the Chase Visa card, I don't think the 15-nights you get credited with each year (to give you silver status) counts towards nights required in obtaining gold/platinum status.

I'm not sure if you're talking about Asia specifically, but my Chase Signature Visa adds 15 nights to my total. I have never actually stayed 75 nights in a year - my target has always been 60.

My comment is that I know we get the 15-nights credit each year which gives us silver status, but although I've logged in an additional paid nights that Marriott does not count these towards obtaining the next elite level. At least that's how their wenbsite shows my stays towards obtaining the next status level.

The 15 nights from the Chase Premier Marriott Rewards Visa card counts toward elite status. It always has. Note: this is the CC hat gives you 5 points per dollar spent at Marriott Properties, 2 points for dining, airlines, & rental car charges, and 1 point for everything else.

Whether or not the 10 nights from the Chase Signature Marriott Rewards Visa card (the one that gives you Silver status) counts toward elite status someone else will have to address. Also, I wonder if it depends if you have the card prior to the benefit changes that were made about a year ago. This card used to just give you Silver elite status and then about a year or so ago they changed the benefit to giving holders 10 nights credit. I wondered if the new benefit was bestowed upon CC holders who had the card prior to the changes. Note: this is the CC hat gives you 3 points per dollar spent at Marriott Properties, 1 point for everything else.

The 10 Elite nights from the Chase Signature Marriott Rewards Visa credit card counts toward the achievement of Gold and Platinum status. Everyone who has the Signature credit card receives the 10 Elite nights, even if they enrolled prior to the addition of this benefit.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Drew

It seems like the vast majority of "gifts" mentioned here have been for renewal of Platinum status. I'm currently Gold, but during 2008, was only able to accumulate 39 nights (15 from the cc, 24 primarily in a CY). I just received my renewal package in the mail, and they kept me at Gold through 2/2010.

****************

Dear Mr. FSAMAAA

[blah blah blah]

As one of our most esteemed guests, you have demonstrated your committment to Marriott time and time again by staying with us many nights throughout the year. And while we understand that your travel needs may vary from year to year and affect the number of events you hold or nights you stay with Marriott, we want to assure you that your loyalty means so very much to us. As a demonstration of our thanks, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that we will maintain your Gold elite membership in Marriott Rewards, where it is our mission to make each of your travel experiences personal and rewarding.

[blah blah blah]

Sincerely,

J.W. Marriott, Jr.

****************

As background, I was Gold in 2008, Platinum in 2007, Gold in 2006, Silver in 2005, and nothing before that.

This was greeting me today... ^ Thanks a lot Marriott!

It seems works well for most of the FTers here but obviously not for me.

I'm currently a gold and ended up with 72 days for 2008. I just completed my first one night stay in '09, which brought me to a total of 74 nights on a rolling basis. I sent a note to the CSR in hoping that I could be granted Plat status a little earlier, unfortunately I was refused to get an immediate decision, instead I was asked to wait until end of Feb when an corporate-wise review is performed.

I will get the Plat status anyway as I have a stay coming up next week, but I might re-consider my stay pattern as this certainly not made me feel MR was willing (or at least trying hard) to keep its frequent member.

Here's the reply:

Dear YYC,

Thank you for contacting Marriott Rewards. Every Marriott Rewards account undergoes a corporate review in February of each year. Decisions regarding Elite level upgrades, downgrades, and exceptions regarding Elite status retention are made at that time. Individual exceptions cannot occur until after our annual corporate review has concluded. If you would still like to request an Elite level exception after the corporate review is completed, please reply to this email at the end of February and I would be happy to assist you further.

Thank you for choosing Marriott.

Regards,

(name omitted)
Internet & Correspondence Specialist
Marriott Rewards