Platinum Elite - pick 5 elite nights or 5 suite nights?
Sep 8, 2018, 9:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Working on it
Posts: 1
Platinum Elite - pick 5 elite nights or 5 suite nights?
Current Platinum Elite, but should reach 65-70 elite nights by EOY.
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Sep 8, 2018, 1:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,467
Current Platinum Elite, but should reach 65-70 elite nights by EOY.
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Sep 8, 2018, 6:40 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Current Platinum Elite, but should reach 65-70 elite nights by EOY.
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Is there that much difference in PP vs PE? I’m thinking of selecting the 5 elite nights to get me (closer to achieving 75 elite nights.)
If I don’t hit 75, I’ve burned the chance to get the 5 suite nights with current status.
What is is more valuable in your opinion: 5 suite nights or achieving 75 elite nights?
Sep 11, 2018, 2:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott-LT Titan; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 150
I am Lifetime PP now and just passed the 50 nights in 2018 needed for the first threshold gift. I obviously don't need the 5 elite nights for status purposes (and I don't have a shot at Ambassador), but I would like to get the 1 free night at the 75 night threshold and may have trouble getting to 75 nights by year end given a sharp reduction in travel planned for the balance of year. So would the 5 elite nights help me get to the 75 needed for the next gift level where I can get that 1 free night or do they truly just count toward elite staus and are not included in the calculation of the 75 nights needed to get to the next gift???? I would assume the elite night ticker is the same as the gift level "ticker"- so the answer would be that they would help me- but I have a little doubt in my mind and fear they may look at true nigts stayed versus the elite ticker that currently include includes things like carryover nights from 2017 and now maybe these bonus nights. So I throw it out to you guys for some possible insight. If the answer is that they won't help me get to the 75 for the free night, then I will chose the suite upgrades- but for me, I am mostly in non-full service hotels so the upgrades likely not be of much use for me.
Sep 11, 2018, 4:07 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I am Lifetime PP now and just passed the 50 nights in 2018 needed for the first threshold gift. I obviously don't need the 5 elite nights for status purposes (and I don't have a shot at Ambassador), but I would like to get the 1 free night at the 75 night threshold and may have trouble getting to 75 nights by year end given a sharp reduction in travel planned for the balance of year. So would the 5 elite nights help me get to the 75 needed for the next gift level where I can get that 1 free night or do they truly just count toward elite staus and are not included in the calculation of the 75 nights needed to get to the next gift???? I would assume the elite night ticker is the same as the gift level "ticker"- so the answer would be that they would help me- but I have a little doubt in my mind and fear they may look at true nigts stayed versus the elite ticker that currently include includes things like carryover nights from 2017 and now maybe these bonus nights. So I throw it out to you guys for some possible insight. If the answer is that they won't help me get to the 75 for the free night, then I will chose the suite upgrades- but for me, I am mostly in non-full service hotels so the upgrades likely not be of much use for me.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:21 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Sep 17, 2018, 8:25 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere between YXU and YYZ
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hilton Diamond AC*75K
Posts: 618
Should I have been offered my Platinum choices for 2019 by now?
After I combined accounts, I have 103 nights this year, but I have not seen any communication or anything on the website asking me to select my options for next year.
I assume I should get to select the 50 and 75 night options.
Edit:
Nevermind - I found a link when I select Platinum Premier Benefits on the pulldown under my name.
It said Sign in to choose your benefit. It took me to choice-benefit.marriott.com.
After I combined accounts, I have 103 nights this year, but I have not seen any communication or anything on the website asking me to select my options for next year.
I assume I should get to select the 50 and 75 night options.
Edit:
Nevermind - I found a link when I select Platinum Premier Benefits on the pulldown under my name.
It said Sign in to choose your benefit. It took me to choice-benefit.marriott.com.
Last edited by shawneve; Sep 17, 2018 at 8:30 am
Sep 17, 2018, 9:28 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,570
I'm a n00b to SNAs. I'm sitting on 70 total nights right now, will easily go over 75 this year.
My questions:
- Do SNAs expire? If I redeem right now, does that make them expire 12/31/2019? Is there any timing that would involve me holding off on selection and getting ones that expire 12/31/2020?
- Do SNAs actually yield suites, assuming you aren't using them in completely max-peak situations? (OK, I realize this question might be hard to answer. I never get suites at Marriott as a Plat, now LTPP.)
- Can I hold off on selecting my Plat 50 award and have *two* gifts to select when I pass 75 for the year? I don't think I'll hit 90 nights, but would it be worthwhile to then take the elite nights and get PP w/A? (I *think* I'd rather have 10 suite nights than the ability to call a concierge, but I never had SPG Ambassador so I don't know if there's something I'm missing here.)
My questions:
- Do SNAs expire? If I redeem right now, does that make them expire 12/31/2019? Is there any timing that would involve me holding off on selection and getting ones that expire 12/31/2020?
- Do SNAs actually yield suites, assuming you aren't using them in completely max-peak situations? (OK, I realize this question might be hard to answer. I never get suites at Marriott as a Plat, now LTPP.)
- Can I hold off on selecting my Plat 50 award and have *two* gifts to select when I pass 75 for the year? I don't think I'll hit 90 nights, but would it be worthwhile to then take the elite nights and get PP w/A? (I *think* I'd rather have 10 suite nights than the ability to call a concierge, but I never had SPG Ambassador so I don't know if there's something I'm missing here.)
Sep 17, 2018, 11:08 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I'm a n00b to SNAs. I'm sitting on 70 total nights right now, will easily go over 75 this year.
My questions:
- Do SNAs expire? If I redeem right now, does that make them expire 12/31/2019? Is there any timing that would involve me holding off on selection and getting ones that expire 12/31/2020?
- Do SNAs actually yield suites, assuming you aren't using them in completely max-peak situations? (OK, I realize this question might be hard to answer. I never get suites at Marriott as a Plat, now LTPP.)
- Can I hold off on selecting my Plat 50 award and have *two* gifts to select when I pass 75 for the year? I don't think I'll hit 90 nights, but would it be worthwhile to then take the elite nights and get PP w/A? (I *think* I'd rather have 10 suite nights than the ability to call a concierge, but I never had SPG Ambassador so I don't know if there's something I'm missing here.)
My questions:
- Do SNAs expire? If I redeem right now, does that make them expire 12/31/2019? Is there any timing that would involve me holding off on selection and getting ones that expire 12/31/2020?
- Do SNAs actually yield suites, assuming you aren't using them in completely max-peak situations? (OK, I realize this question might be hard to answer. I never get suites at Marriott as a Plat, now LTPP.)
- Can I hold off on selecting my Plat 50 award and have *two* gifts to select when I pass 75 for the year? I don't think I'll hit 90 nights, but would it be worthwhile to then take the elite nights and get PP w/A? (I *think* I'd rather have 10 suite nights than the ability to call a concierge, but I never had SPG Ambassador so I don't know if there's something I'm missing here.)
- Yes, they do work. When you apply them, you get offered a list of suites that you would like to be upgraded to. You select the ones you are interested in. Some properties, like the Renaissance BCN will give you the option of being upgraded to an Executive Room.
5 days before arrival, the system will begin checking for availability and award you the suite if it's available. This is completely out of the hotel's hands. They only choose which suites (room, in the case of Renaissance BCN) go into the upgrade pool.- I believe you can hold off on selecting your gift as some people have reported being over 75 nights when merging their accounts, and selecting 2 gifts. Ambassadors are hit or miss. Some are excellent, some are not.
Sep 22, 2018, 8:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA lifetime gold, Marriott Plat.
Posts: 418
Have been trying to discern just exactly what are suite nights? I see that I need to choose suite or elite nights. So if I choose 5 suite nights does that increase my chances of getting a suite? Will be in Mexico on award nights so on those nights could I still be awarded a suite? That would be super! Have over 100 nights so far this year.
Thanks as I feel so dumb not to understand this new merger!
Thanks as I feel so dumb not to understand this new merger!
Sep 23, 2018, 6:15 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Have been trying to discern just exactly what are suite nights? I see that I need to choose suite or elite nights. So if I choose 5 suite nights does that increase my chances of getting a suite? Will be in Mexico on award nights so on those nights could I still be awarded a suite? That would be super! Have over 100 nights so far this year.
Thanks as I feel so dumb not to understand this new merger!
Thanks as I feel so dumb not to understand this new merger!
Suite Night Awards will be available for Platinum Elite Members who stay 50 nights and Platinum Premier Elite Members who stay 75 nights as an option within their Annual Choice Benefit. A Suite Night Award is a one-night confirmable upgrade to a standard suite or select premium room, depending on the hotel’s availability of those rooms. The number of Suite Night Awards used must match the entire length of stay; it cannot be used for part of a stay (e.g., the first two nights of a five-night stay). Once you request to use your Suite Night Awards for a stay, we’ll check the upgrade availability starting five days prior to arrival and keep checking every day until 2 p.m., hotel local time, on the day before your arrival. We’ll let you know either way if we’re able to confirm the upgrade or not. If it is not available, we’ll return the Suite Night Awards to your account.
Sep 23, 2018, 6:29 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA lifetime gold, Marriott Plat.
Posts: 418
Thank you so much for your explanation! Now I get it! Wondering since we are staying 5 nights on awards should I use the suite nights ? Do I just call reservations or can I do it online? If I am correct there is a expiration of the award. We are staying at a W resort in Mexico.
Again thanks for taking the time to explain! And effort!
Again thanks for taking the time to explain! And effort!
Sep 23, 2018, 6:57 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Thank you so much for your explanation! Now I get it! Wondering since we are staying 5 nights on awards should I use the suite nights ? Do I just call reservations or can I do it online? If I am correct there is a expiration of the award. We are staying at a W resort in Mexico.
Again thanks for taking the time to explain! And effort!
Again thanks for taking the time to explain! And effort!
I would check the master thread to see if people are getting upgrades.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...er-thread.html
Or this one. (Check previous years too.)
Post Your SPG Platinum Upgrade Successes 2018
Also check to see what upgrades are offered with the SNA. (Some properties offer you an upgrade to an Executive Room. Looking at you Renaissance BCN.
)Depending on what you find, and how important the stay is to you, you can make a decision whether to apply the SNAs.