Mar 9, 2016, 12:19 pm
Last edit by: controller1
For those with questions regarding the best timing for applying for a Platinum or Gold status match, this is the policy to keep in mind for your individual determination:
Elite Expiration: The Elite Status Challenge entitles members to one full year of elite status, from one renewal period to the next (i.e. the end of February one year to the end of February the next year) and only carries over if they are upgraded on or after March 1st (whereas earning status naturally* gives members elite status for the remainder of the current year, carries over for the entirety of the following year, and expires at the end of February in the third year)
Elite Status Challenge Expiration Example: If a member is upgraded via the challenge on or before February 28th, 2017 they retain status until February 28th, 2018, the following year. If they are upgraded on or after March 1st, 2017 they retain status for the remainder of the year, all of 2018, up until February 28th, 2019.
Elite Expiration: The Elite Status Challenge entitles members to one full year of elite status, from one renewal period to the next (i.e. the end of February one year to the end of February the next year) and only carries over if they are upgraded on or after March 1st (whereas earning status naturally* gives members elite status for the remainder of the current year, carries over for the entirety of the following year, and expires at the end of February in the third year)
Elite Status Challenge Expiration Example: If a member is upgraded via the challenge on or before February 28th, 2017 they retain status until February 28th, 2018, the following year. If they are upgraded on or after March 1st, 2017 they retain status for the remainder of the year, all of 2018, up until February 28th, 2019.
SPG Status Match Request and Challenge Policy : Discussion Master Thread
Aug 23, 2017, 6:55 am
#751
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 285
It's my understanding that award and possibly cash+points nights do NOT count on challenges? I could be wrong though.
Aug 23, 2017, 7:54 am
#752
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Aug 23, 2017, 8:51 am
#753
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,889
I would still echo the advice to plan carefully however
Aug 24, 2017, 7:47 am
#754
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
I stand corrected
I mistaken thought you could not retake a challenge if you failed the challenge. It is only achieve the challenge and then lost status by letting it expire that you cannot retake the challenge.
2017 SPG Status Challenge
Terms & Conditions
Eligibility: Status Challenges are not available to members who have earned SPG elite-level status within the five years prior to the current year. Specifically, SPG members who earned Gold or Platinum status in or after 2012 are not eligible for the Gold Status Challenge, and SPG members who earned Platinum in or after 2012 are not eligible for the Platinum Status Challenge. Members who have successfully completed any prior SPG status challenges may not register for this Status Challenge. Members may register and attempt to participate in the Status Challenge again if they fail to complete the Status Challenge. If a member completes the Gold Status Challenge and is successful, he or she is able to come back to register for the Platinum Status Challenge. Members may not, however, repeat a Status Challenge that they have already successfully completed. SPG members who reach SPG Gold or Platinum status by linking their SPG and Marriott Rewards® accounts will not be eligible for the Status Challenge offer.
Terms & Conditions
Eligibility: Status Challenges are not available to members who have earned SPG elite-level status within the five years prior to the current year. Specifically, SPG members who earned Gold or Platinum status in or after 2012 are not eligible for the Gold Status Challenge, and SPG members who earned Platinum in or after 2012 are not eligible for the Platinum Status Challenge. Members who have successfully completed any prior SPG status challenges may not register for this Status Challenge. Members may register and attempt to participate in the Status Challenge again if they fail to complete the Status Challenge. If a member completes the Gold Status Challenge and is successful, he or she is able to come back to register for the Platinum Status Challenge. Members may not, however, repeat a Status Challenge that they have already successfully completed. SPG members who reach SPG Gold or Platinum status by linking their SPG and Marriott Rewards® accounts will not be eligible for the Status Challenge offer.
Aug 24, 2017, 4:58 pm
#755
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,522
Had a family member register yesterday.
Rather than activating immediately you now pick which calendar month you would like and it includes the entire month, not part thereof.
Rather than activating immediately you now pick which calendar month you would like and it includes the entire month, not part thereof.
Aug 25, 2017, 1:05 am
#756
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CDG
Programs: Emirates Gold, Delta Gold, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 338
If the challenge starts in September, does the night from 31st of August to 1st of September count ?
Aug 25, 2017, 3:05 pm
#757
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Aug 31, 2017, 8:09 am
#758
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
Programs: AA-EXP, National Exec. Elite, Hilton Gold, GE
Posts: 323
I'm signed up for both challenges and should probably complete both on-time.
I'm supposed to completed my 9th night on 9/13, then start another 8-night stay elsewhere on the 14th. How quickly does SPG recognize and grant Gold? I'm hoping to use my Gold benefits on that 8-night stay.
I'm supposed to completed my 9th night on 9/13, then start another 8-night stay elsewhere on the 14th. How quickly does SPG recognize and grant Gold? I'm hoping to use my Gold benefits on that 8-night stay.
Last edited by UAL1200; Aug 31, 2017 at 8:16 am
Sep 1, 2017, 1:30 am
#759
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: SPG/Marriott Platinum Premier, Skywards Gold, HH Gold, M&M FTL
Posts: 16
I've successfully completed the Platinum Status Challenge earlier this year and got the Platinum Status until end of February 2019 Yay!
From what I understand, the number of SPG nights that I do this year (2017) seems irrelevant for prolonging the status beyond February 2019, is that correct?
(I would (only) have to do 50 nights next year (2018) to keep the status in 2019/2020?)
Thanks & regards,
Sam
From what I understand, the number of SPG nights that I do this year (2017) seems irrelevant for prolonging the status beyond February 2019, is that correct?
(I would (only) have to do 50 nights next year (2018) to keep the status in 2019/2020?)
Thanks & regards,
Sam
Sep 1, 2017, 1:57 am
#760
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,783
Yes, unless MaRiot kills spg during 2018 
Sep 1, 2017, 4:38 am
#761
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: SPG/Marriott Platinum Premier, Skywards Gold, HH Gold, M&M FTL
Posts: 16
Sep 7, 2017, 12:13 pm
#762
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I did the 18-night plat challenge this summer and thus earned plat in July 2017. Since none of the confirmation materials, and nowhere on the website that I could find, explicitly stated when my status would expire (I understand that the T&Cs of the challenge state dates, but I wanted to see it reflected in my account), I just called SPG.
The agent said that in February 2018 I would drop to Gold. I asked him to confirm this and he restated it. Is this accurate? It seems to be in conflict with the statement of the challenge. Do I need to do something to make sure my account has been updated properly?
The agent said that in February 2018 I would drop to Gold. I asked him to confirm this and he restated it. Is this accurate? It seems to be in conflict with the statement of the challenge. Do I need to do something to make sure my account has been updated properly?
Sep 7, 2017, 12:18 pm
#763
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I did the 18-night plat challenge this summer and thus earned plat in July 2017. Since none of the confirmation materials, and nowhere on the website that I could find, explicitly stated when my status would expire (I understand that the T&Cs of the challenge state dates, but I wanted to see it reflected in my account), I just called SPG.
The agent said that in February 2018 I would drop to Gold. I asked him to confirm this and he restated it. Is this accurate? It seems to be in conflict with the statement of the challenge. Do I need to do something to make sure my account has been updated properly?
The agent said that in February 2018 I would drop to Gold. I asked him to confirm this and he restated it. Is this accurate? It seems to be in conflict with the statement of the challenge. Do I need to do something to make sure my account has been updated properly?
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Sep 7, 2017, 1:11 pm
#764
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I earned my SPG/Marriott Platinum through the challenge around the same time frame, so I'm interested to hear what the resolution is. My understanding is it should not expire until Feb 2019.
Sep 7, 2017, 3:35 pm
#765
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
2nd agent said it expires in February 2019, as per our understanding. Strange that the system would not make it sufficiently clear for the first agent to be able to see that.