Marriott easing requalification rules in bad economy
 

Hello Everyone! Long time no see!

With the current economic conditions, I will not be making the 75 night for the year, and will loose my platinum status at the end of January.

Several years ago, when I was in this position they sent a letter offering to re-instate platinum status for a cost of 35,000 points. Anyone know if they still do this? While I realize this is not a great use of points, it would be a God send to keep the status through 2009 - and with my hope the economy will turn around, I should hit the required nights to renew next year.

**Marriott Concierge - Is this something you could check on? If it is not an active program, perhaps is should be considered for reactivation in light of the economy...Just my $0.02**

Miss you guys!

If you have been Plat for a number of years, they may just keep you Plat. They did that for me one year. MC or Socrates mentioned something about this in a post somewhere, so you find more info via the search function if you like. Well I am off to my flight home. Only 37 hours to go. BTW - JW Marriott Phuket rocks.

I'm in the same situation. I'll only have 60 nights this year. I called the plat desk and they said that they didn't have anything official but they would be making accomodations. Whatever that means.

After 3 years of PLT, I finished 2007 with just 46 nights, including 15 from the credit card. They kept my status as PLT for 2008. I did wonder if the fact that most of my nights were in the 4th quarter was a factor?

Well I am 13 short (including the credit card bump) If they don't keep me plat it might make my ongoing debate of Hilton vs. Marriott easier LOL!

I was Platinum for 7 consecutive years and then in 2007 did no travel due to a job change. I was dropped to Silver in 2008, so have been working my way back up the ladder this year. Right now I am at 72 nights with 3 more nights booked before the end of 2008. It will be nice to be Platinum again, not for any other reason than my own satisfaction.

They dropped you from Plat to Silver and skipped Gold? I was hoping for a soft landing this year myself. All travel cut before I made my 75 nights. Was Plat for 3 previous years.

I squeeked through this year, after having 66 nights by September and downturn affected my travel, but I will have 76 nights by 31 December. Too bad that means my megabonus is worthless!

I'm going to just miss it. By 2 nights. Including credit card nights. :mad:

Little late in the game/year to suggest this, but with several primo yrs under your belt, woulda been worth calling MH to request either a reinstatement or quickie challenge to get back to Platinum.

Not worth grunting your way back over an entire year.

The buy back off will be available next year, as well as other options. If you are downgraded it would be worth your while to contact guest services to see what options may be available individually for you.

Ira

Thank you for responding directly. It is good to know that options are being made available. I for one have no clue when business is going to kick back in, but the idea of starting staus from scratch wasn't appealing at all.

Marriott easing requalification rules in bad economy
 

A few months ago, MR sent me a promotion to requalify for Gold status:
Well, I did it. I stayed 14 nights and renewed my MR gold status. I'm thankful for the opportunity. Another year of lounge access and the occasional (okay, almost never) upgrade will be nice. But really, Marriott is the big winner. They won 14 nights of my business.

As of October 1, I had 24 MR nights for the year, 15 of which were from my MR Visa card. I had chosen to give up on chasing status with Marriott, knowing there was no way I'd get 26 more nights in 2 months. I figured I'd pursue low level status with another family such as Hyatt or ICHG. But this promotion gave me a reason to stick Marriott. They got 14 nights from me. Without this promotion, they probably would have gotten 3. So, thanks, Marriott, for the status, and you're welcome for all the business!

Everyone wins. Marriott is smart to offer this type of promotion.

I wish they would offer me a bump for the 2 nights i lack for requal on PLT....i guess ill just book a mattress run but with moolah being tight in this bad economy, i dont know that i could swing it.....especially since i live in a resort city.

There was a thread on this a few months ago. Several of us got a similar program to earn PLT back, and Marriott got extra stays from me over the last 2 months.

This shows what a smart marketing program can do, actually looking at your purchasing patterns and offering nearly-real time incentives. I've gone from 10 yrs of 150K miles/yr to 30K on USAir and didn't hear a peep.

btw, I had MR keep me at PLT several years ago when I was 4 nights short, and they have done so for co-workers too. The unofficial word I hear is that you need to be within 5 nights and need to request the comp - it's not automatic.

"Congratulations, you've requalified for Platinum"
 

Logged in today just to see how many nights I was short of re-qualifying for Platinum. I have 71 nights to date, with no reservations made (or planned) between now and January 1st. Much to my delight, a message on the homescreen congratulated me on re-qualifying for Platinum in 2009. Thank you, Marriott! ^

Thank you Marriott!

Like JohnnyGlobal, I also logged in today to make a reservation and found that I, too, had requalified (despite the note that I need *a lot* of nights to maintain Platinum qualification!).

Thank you Marriott, much appreciated.

Just called the Plat Reservation Desk, and was confirmed that I was renewed through 2/2010.

The agent indicated that they have been hand reviewing accounts, and doing this as a courtesy in the poor economy.

I just want to extend kudos to Marriott for providing a service to it's loyal customers. I know I didn't earn the nights required this year due to much slower business, but Marriott will receive my business this coming year, for the good will gesture it extended. GOOD BUSINESS MOVE! Thank you!

I have had more than enough nights (146 including the credit card nights) to get platinum for 2009, but I think it is good that Marriott is giving platinum members who fell short this year a little leeway (especially those who have been platinum members for a few years in a row).

+1

I'll have 65 nights this year, because of the slowing economy. The renewed me and I greatly appreciate it. This will definitely make me spent a lot more nights in 2009 at Marriott.

I'm a bit annoyed; make it easier in 2009 by lowering thresholds but I went out of my way to get to 75 even (inc CC) as I could have spent those dollars in other ways. Had I known this I would have stopped in the mid 60's like the others..

so MR conceirge, what is in it for me? this appears to be the giveaway season

You stayed your 75 nights and received what was promised in return. I stand with VA1379 and prefer to applaud them for making smart business decisions and showing an interest in customer service, as this may benefit me down the road, rather being jealous of others. Sadly, WIIFM is par for the course nowadays.

USFreak - hope you were among those who got renewed despite being a little short on nights. Just in case...

Your profile indicates your are in Charleston, SC. Work sends me there often. Recently, a coworker and I got a GREAT rate at the Ren, which was very nice. Usually, though, I stay at the SPS on the river. It's above decent, and you get a view of the boats docked below and the bridge. Rarely is their rate over $100/night, and I've even scored a $59/night there once.

Renewed me to PLT for 2009 with only 46 nights in 2008.
Have been PLT for 3 years prior.

IMHO, Marriott has always "bent over backward" to help out good customers. Good to see that trend continuing/expanding given the current economic climate.

I've got 79 nights in for 2008, so I should be fine for next year.

However, in Q1 of '09, by travel may be limited due to illness in the family. If this plays out as expected, I'm hoping they'll give me a break next time around. Q1 and Q4 are my busiest travel times, so a reduction in Q1 travel....if it happens...could definitely put a dent in my total number of nights for '09. I've got 18 years in as an MR member, so hopefully that helps as well. My guess is 50-65 nights for me in '09.

No love for me yet.

"You have stayed 71 nights this year. You need 4 more nights to maintain Platinum level."

I've got my fingers crossed.

Yeah, your market looks a bit pricy as I can't see anything under $109 for this weekend in your area ( but I do see a couple of $89/$99 rates for Monday at FFs ).

We faced a similar qualifying dilemma but made the decision after thanksgiving and we pick up two $89 nights at a local CY. I guess you could try for a rollover in early January, or simply do the deed this week.

Barry

Wow, only 40 nights for me, and I'm renewed at Platinum for 2009. And in my case it wasn't because of the slowing economy, but promotion to a position that requires less travel.

2009 is starting off with a bang, though; 10 nights booked at Marriott properties in January already.

Nice of Marriott But
 

What about those of us who continue to travel and earn Plt the hard way. I will never get PP as I only stay about 100-110 night per year but now we have to compete for upgrades. There is 2 sides to this generous Marriott offer.

It's one thing for Marriott to reward customer loyalty by helping those truly committed to the Marriott brand. It's another thing for someone to cry "help me Marriott" because I'm not going to make status because I've been maintaining status with other brands and spread my stays too thin because the economy went south. I realize there are two camps here and the one camp is truly affected by the economy. However, I have exceeded the requirements for stays and status this year by reading ahead and consolidating my stays with Marriott. I've been platinum since the late 90's and will admit, Marriott has treated me well and earned that loyalty. My beef is going to be with those who try to milk the system, plead for Marriott's grace, while ensuring they maintain status with another chain. Then it will be these same people who complain that can't get award rooms or upgrades because the system is so watered down with Platinum's earning bonus points. It's almost like those who exceeded their capacity with mortgages now expecting the government to bail them out of their misfortune, realizing that those who followed the rules are the ones paying to correct the mistakes of others. I realize Marriott has no way of distinguishing between the two camps, and truly helping those who previously have demonstrated loyalty and cannot make status because of the economy, but the other side of the coin is frustrating to those of us who truly call Marriott our home away from home.

+1...My EXACT scenario. Would've thought it was me posting if not for the name bucs... Go Skins! .... I'm at 46 nights, been plat the last 3 years and just logged in and showed currently renewed for 2009... Thanks Marriott...

Copilot23 nailed it on the head. Especially for the folks who didn't even qualify for gold, it seems like EXCESSIVELY good customer service to renew them for plat. And while those individuals will of course be very happy, it does water down the benefits (such as room upgrades) that can be offered to those of us who continue to give Marriott the kind of business that we always have in the past.

Maybe I'll change my tune come renewal time, as I didn't make 125 nights this year ("only" 106, all but 3 in full-service properties) and am not looking forward to reverting to basic platinum.

I know that Marriott has unofficially given platinum to those who have missed a few nights (I got my platinum status a few weeks early for the first time in May 2006 before the 75th night posted to my account, and this was before the rolling calendar for initial qualification was in place). The Marriott manual audit of long time platinum members looks at the prior 3 years of stay history.

My guess is that Marriott will cut members more slack if they have done 100+ nights in the prior 2 years and have fallen short, rather than those who have done barely 75 nights in the prior 2 years and have only cracked 20 nights for the current year.

Happy now!!! MR giving Plat out for less than gold requirements

Again, I reiterate MR Conceirge, what can you do for me if you are giving away the farm for nothing and the next time I stay at a MR and lose an upgrade to another plat who stayed 40 nights last year..

what a load of crap.. if the economy is in the tank this year (09) then lower the 09 requal thresholds.. and you guys wonder why I spread the wealth and maintain top tier at three other chains and mid tier at two other chains.. :rolleyes:


do you know this or are you just making a random guess?

I'll have 73 nights come Jan. 1. I'm assuming Marriott will renew me as it will be my third year as a Plat and 4th as an elite (gold year before).

If not, who cares, I'll get 2 more nights in early Jan. and renew on the rolling basis anyway, but I still don't expect to lapse.

Of course that plat might have had 150 nights the year before and was pissed that he missed out on upgrades to some plat who stayed 60 nights plus credit card. Such specific scenarios are conjecture at best.

+1

No one on this thread gave enough information about their particular circumstances to become angry over Marriott giving them platinum status. All we know is that Marriott took the initiative to reward their best, most loyal customers by renewing (not upgrading) their platinum status. I have been lurking on these boards for quite awile, and I know one of the chief complaints I always read about is Marriott supposedly not caring about their best customers. Why take offense when they show the initiative to reward the most loyal customers?

I guess the old cliche is proven to be true: You can't please everyone all the time.

I have 68 nights (in this slow economy), never been Plat, only Gold for the past two years. Apparently no bump unless you have been Plat before, even if you have more nights than others bumped up.

I could easily have been Plat (based on stays at other hotel chains) but Marriott has no hotel options in some of the cities. Marriott should consider giving you credit for other hotel stays at major business and vacation locations where there is no Marriott option but most of the other major US brands have hotels. (say one fax or send copy of receipt).

Example, Perth, Australia (PER) - major business location in W. Australia - all the other brands - Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, IC, Holiday Inn, etc. Also, none in vacation location CNS (Cairns, Australia). Marriott is big in other Australia business and beach locations.

Also - what do others view as the big difference between Gold and Plat - both get lounge access. Do Plat's get suite upgrades?

So are the the statements that these people may have had 100+ the prior years; my point is MR made the rules public that if you have 75 nights that you get plat.. no where does it say that if you have 40 nights and 100 (or insert number) the prior one or two years that you get plat; i can only play by the rules posted as I would adjust my stay patterns if I knew the rules were different

as for the dude who missed an u/g from a 75 nighter with 15 CC in those 75; well that 75 guy met the qualifications posted; the 40 nighter did not; and if that 150 nighter is truly valuable, they will take care of him anyway; maybe i'm a 75 night profitable guy and the 150 is a govt rate FI type of guy so your point is not any better either

Wrong; when MR gives it out at 40 nights (which is not all that loyal-the rest is just excuses); I have every reason to be upset. I went out of my way including OOP nights to make 75; they did not.. they should not be rewarded. We are not talking a guy at 73 nights and then 9/11 occurred which virtually shut down travel. We're talking about a recession where IMHO the real slowdown was late 2008 and in 2009. Its 2009 that should have the reduced qualifications or some sort of 2X stay credit or similar.

Factor in the changes for 2009 in reward redemptions

and the whole pot is now full of BS

Come on MR; do something for me; I still have choices in 2009 and right now they (choices) will be spread out among all the other chains; MR has not given me a reason so far to give them any more business than I have too... and I'm the type that would give "extra" nights to those who earn it; right now MR is not earning it