Marriott easing requalification rules in bad economy
Dec 19, 2008, 9:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 453
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!
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!
Dec 19, 2008, 9:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
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.
Dec 20, 2008, 3:42 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,243
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.
Dec 20, 2008, 8:59 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
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?
Dec 20, 2008, 10:36 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
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!
Dec 20, 2008, 12:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Cut Off, LA,
Programs: -- DL DM, MR Lifetime TE, HH Diamond, National Something???
Posts: 618
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.
Dec 20, 2008, 7:00 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
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.
Dec 20, 2008, 8:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 179
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!
Dec 20, 2008, 10:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I'm going to just miss it. By 2 nights. Including credit card nights. 
Dec 20, 2008, 11:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 534
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.
Not worth grunting your way back over an entire year.
Dec 23, 2008, 2:54 pm
#11
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
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!
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!
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
Dec 23, 2008, 5:31 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 453
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.
Dec 24, 2008, 11:58 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
Marriott easing requalification rules in bad economy
A few months ago, MR sent me a promotion to requalify for Gold status:
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!
Stay 14 Nights at Marriott and Renew Your Marriott Rewards Elite Gold Membership
Only the best will do for you. That's why we're giving you one of our very best offers: Stay 14 nights or more at any Marriott by December 31, 2008 to automatically renew your Marriott Rewards Elite Gold membership through February 2010. It's that easy to continue receiving the Elite Gold rewards you've become accustomed to at Marriott.
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.Only the best will do for you. That's why we're giving you one of our very best offers: Stay 14 nights or more at any Marriott by December 31, 2008 to automatically renew your Marriott Rewards Elite Gold membership through February 2010. It's that easy to continue receiving the Elite Gold rewards you've become accustomed to at Marriott.
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!
Dec 24, 2008, 6:27 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Delta platinum Marriott Plat. Avis Preferred US Air Platinum
Posts: 194
Everyone wins. Marriott is smart to offer this type of promotion.
Dec 24, 2008, 7:54 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: UA 1P, CO Plat, MR Plat, SPG Plat, US Dirt
Posts: 1,506
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.