Invest 56 Nights To Make Lifetime Plat, worth it or not?
May 15, 2018, 12:18 pm
#31
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Nevertheless, when the answers/clarifications finally do come, I won't be re-miss in posting them.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
May 15, 2018, 12:20 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
There are still some key people out of the office that I am waiting to hear from, so that expectation might have to be adjusted a bit.
Nevertheless, when the answers/clarifications finally do come, I won't be re-miss in posting them.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Nevertheless, when the answers/clarifications finally do come, I won't be re-miss in posting them.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
@margarita girl - latest update from william is here... he's still looking into it.
May 15, 2018, 12:25 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
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Fair point, per his post yesterday he's hoping to have officially qualified answers today. (I see you were the one that asked him in the first place, but figured others might use the context).
The language seems unambiguous for Wikipost scenario B6D to me, but William's validation on that would definitely be welcome to remove any ambiguity.
The other parts of B6 though... definitely need some answers there.
Edit: See that you edited in the link as I was replying, making the link in my post somewhat redundant. Oh wel!
The language seems unambiguous for Wikipost scenario B6D to me, but William's validation on that would definitely be welcome to remove any ambiguity.
The other parts of B6 though... definitely need some answers there.
Edit: See that you edited in the link as I was replying, making the link in my post somewhat redundant. Oh wel!
Maybe we should wait for the Lurkers to confirm before continuing to reassure everyone that this is what Marriott intends.
May 15, 2018, 12:32 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
I agree that it's odd that William has to check specifically on B6D/E/F as the language seems clear, but in the absence of confirmation on the combined activity, we (others and myself) may be reading between the lines and finding the definition we think logical (or prefer) without reaching the right conclusion.
For any other scenario that includes either SPG activity only to meet the old MR criteria (750 nights + 2 Million MR points equivalent) or combined MR + SPG activity to meet the old MR criteria (750 nights + 2 million MR points, I totally get why he has to check on those. None of the language I've read that has been released thus far supports the idea that the nights + points legacy plat criteria on MR will be possible on merged activity or SPG activity alone, but they've already made changes (like SPG LTP with more than 750 nights + 10 years to get LTPP at all).
@avacadohead - you may want to await the answer from William (Starwood Lurker) on whether combined night totals will count MR + SPG for Lifetime Premier Platinum Qualification before you go booking tons of rooms or meetings. See the past few replies ITT.
May 15, 2018, 12:34 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Programs: SPG LTP, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, IHGPlat, RadGold, Marriott Plat, BW Diamond
Posts: 172
I’ve taken a lot of flack for saying that the language is not clear to me (and a few others), while it is unambiguous to so many others. Seems odd that William has to check, no?
Maybe we should wait for the Lurkers to confirm before continuing to reassure everyone that this is what Marriott intends.
May 15, 2018, 12:39 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
Personally, I think it’s crazy to “invest” $5k in this pursuit.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
May 15, 2018, 12:46 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Programs: SPG LTP, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, IHGPlat, RadGold, Marriott Plat, BW Diamond
Posts: 172
Personally, I think it’s crazy to “invest” $5k in this pursuit.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
May 15, 2018, 1:16 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
Personally, I think it’s crazy to “invest” $5k in this pursuit.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
OP has some MR nights (we don’t know how many). S/he requalifies via stays, so let’s assume unless they also do it via multiple room credits, it equates to ~33 nights per year.
By requalifying via stays in 2018, OP would have around 485 MR/SPG combined nights and they would be Plat through Feb 2020.
By end of 2019 OP would have 518 LT nights and enjoyed Plat benefits. Let’s say OP squeezes another 7 nights by end of Feb 2020.
This leaves us with 75 nights to reach 600 nights where OP would NOT have status in 2020 and 2021. If s/he were to spread the $5k allocated for LT status over the remaining 75 nights to get “platinum” amenities they would be missing (club level rooms, a suite here and there, breakfast) I think it would make a lot more sense than sinking that much money into useless rooms/meetings in one go. That’s an average of $65 extra to be spent per night. If OP’s stay patterns include cheaper properties where Plat benefits are reduced (only breakfast at Aloft, a quick stay at an airport hotel) then more funds could be allocated towards amenities where it really matters.
Of course YMMV and if OP stays for 30 nights a year at St Regis properties and is looking at suite upgrades, then what I wrote above makes no sense.
I agree that I would not spend $3,000+ to chase to LTPP this year even if that were possible, but I just wanted OP to know potential options. Different people value different levels of status differently.
May 15, 2018, 1:25 pm
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Posts: 100,417
Per here:
Per members.marriott.com:
[/LEFT]
So between those two, it seems pretty unambiguous that LTPP qualification from August - December 31st will be combined nights and years tenure.
With only 444 nights OP would have a difficult time qualifying. Even IF he booked a stay from today to August 1st, that's 77 nights, if he booked 3 rooms at SPG properties (And received 3 nights credit each day), that would be 77 * 3 = 231, plus the 444 existing OP is at 675 or still 75 nights short. Now he could from august 1st to December 31st rack up another 75 nights (there are 152 nights between those dates), but this would cost a ton. Assuming OP had a room rate of a mere $100, that's 306 room nights * $100 per room per night = $30,600.
Now if he racks up the nights at $100/meeting instead under legacy MR before August 1st (1 meeting = 10 nights, effective price $10 per elite night), then he could qualify in 31 meetings (* 10 nights per meeting under Marriott Rewarding Events = 310 nights, 310 MR nights + 444 SPG nights = 754 combined), and at $100 per meeting (some MR members get it for closer to half that, and the price of the meeting is irrelevant to the number of nights, it's 10 nights per meeting regardless of cost) that would be only $3,100 - or closer to a tenth of the price.
EDIT: If OP wanted to hit LTP instead of LTPP in 2018 based off the combined criteria, he could also buy it in as little as 16 meetings (160 nights + 444 legacy SPG nights = 604 nights combined), at $100 a meeting that would be $1600. If OP stayed the 56 days in SPG only in 2018 to hit the 500 nights criteria and the nights averaged a cost of $100/night, then that would cost $5,600 - or more than three times as much. So even if OP doesn't chase LTPP @ 750 but merely LTP @ combined 600 nights total, the meetings may be a substantially cheaper way to buy it.
Of course, that has to be measured against the utility/enjoyment of the stays, versus the meetings (which are most likely devoid of purpose other than making the nights cheaply).
Per members.marriott.com:
[/LEFT]
So between those two, it seems pretty unambiguous that LTPP qualification from August - December 31st will be combined nights and years tenure.
With only 444 nights OP would have a difficult time qualifying. Even IF he booked a stay from today to August 1st, that's 77 nights, if he booked 3 rooms at SPG properties (And received 3 nights credit each day), that would be 77 * 3 = 231, plus the 444 existing OP is at 675 or still 75 nights short. Now he could from august 1st to December 31st rack up another 75 nights (there are 152 nights between those dates), but this would cost a ton. Assuming OP had a room rate of a mere $100, that's 306 room nights * $100 per room per night = $30,600.
Now if he racks up the nights at $100/meeting instead under legacy MR before August 1st (1 meeting = 10 nights, effective price $10 per elite night), then he could qualify in 31 meetings (* 10 nights per meeting under Marriott Rewarding Events = 310 nights, 310 MR nights + 444 SPG nights = 754 combined), and at $100 per meeting (some MR members get it for closer to half that, and the price of the meeting is irrelevant to the number of nights, it's 10 nights per meeting regardless of cost) that would be only $3,100 - or closer to a tenth of the price.
EDIT: If OP wanted to hit LTP instead of LTPP in 2018 based off the combined criteria, he could also buy it in as little as 16 meetings (160 nights + 444 legacy SPG nights = 604 nights combined), at $100 a meeting that would be $1600. If OP stayed the 56 days in SPG only in 2018 to hit the 500 nights criteria and the nights averaged a cost of $100/night, then that would cost $5,600 - or more than three times as much. So even if OP doesn't chase LTPP @ 750 but merely LTP @ combined 600 nights total, the meetings may be a substantially cheaper way to buy it.
Of course, that has to be measured against the utility/enjoyment of the stays, versus the meetings (which are most likely devoid of purpose other than making the nights cheaply).
Sorry for being conservative here, but I'm reading this as saying that the addition of MR night and SPG nights is valid for the new combined LT requirements, namely 600 nights and 10 years for LTP and NO LTPP. I don't see an explicit statement that SPG nights and MR nights can be combined either for LTPP or to get LTP under the current SPG LTP requirements or the current MR LTP requirements. YMMV.
May 15, 2018, 1:30 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Programs: SPG LTP, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, IHGPlat, RadGold, Marriott Plat, BW Diamond
Posts: 172
The "bogus meeting" route (maybe more accurately, "unnecessary meetings" depending on how OP conducted it) would be substantially cheaper than the butt-in-bed route because each meeting generates 10 elite nights instead of 1, and many meetings can be gained at a rate of $60-$80 or $6-$8 per elite night). This assumes that MR + SPG activity will combine for LTPP (we know that it will for LTP @ 600 nights, but not for qualifying for LTPP in 2018 per some ambiguous phrasing that is going to be clarified when possible by Starwood Lurker).
I agree that I would not spend $3,000+ to chase to LTPP this year even if that were possible, but I just wanted OP to know potential options. Different people value different levels of status differently.
I agree that I would not spend $3,000+ to chase to LTPP this year even if that were possible, but I just wanted OP to know potential options. Different people value different levels of status differently.
May 15, 2018, 1:52 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
Sorry for being conservative here, but I'm reading this as saying that the addition of MR night and SPG nights is valid for the new combined LT requirements, namely 600 nights and 10 years for LTP and NO LTPP. I don't see an explicit statement that SPG nights and MR nights can be combined either for LTPP or to get LTP under the current SPG LTP requirements or the current MR LTP requirements. YMMV.
May 15, 2018, 3:12 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: GRB, MKE, ATW
Programs: DL DM & MM, Hilton Diamond, IC Plt Amb , Marriott LTP, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 572
However, in the merged program, Lifetime Plat and Lifetime Plat Premier are minimally different. Lifetime status does not confer the Suite Night Awards (you have to hit the 50/75 night thresholds in a year to get SNAs), and the only differences between Plat and Plat Premier (at this time) in the merged program are a 75% points bonus vs 50% points bonus and Plat Premier having the 48-hour guarantee (to get a room at a ridiculous rack rate at a sold out hotel). Lifetime Plat in the new program will still be possible at 600 elite nights + 10 years as plat...
May 15, 2018, 3:34 pm
#43
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
That's part of what is tempting me, though there's no telling how long that partnership will last.
I've got the nights, but my best guess is that I'm sitting at 8 years of Plat status - but could be 9,10,11, depending on how they count and whether my records are complete... I can get 2018 MR 50 night status reasonably, either with meetings or with 5th night free award stays at a nearby MR cat 2 averaging 6K MR (2K SPG)/nt. But if I'm correct that I'm at 8, then the 10th year would mean getting to SPG plat this year. All I have so far is the 2/5 from the Amex, so I'm 23 1-night stays away, and that seems liek an expensive proposition...
I've got the nights, but my best guess is that I'm sitting at 8 years of Plat status - but could be 9,10,11, depending on how they count and whether my records are complete... I can get 2018 MR 50 night status reasonably, either with meetings or with 5th night free award stays at a nearby MR cat 2 averaging 6K MR (2K SPG)/nt. But if I'm correct that I'm at 8, then the 10th year would mean getting to SPG plat this year. All I have so far is the 2/5 from the Amex, so I'm 23 1-night stays away, and that seems liek an expensive proposition...
May 15, 2018, 3:38 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Programs: SPG LTP, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, IHGPlat, RadGold, Marriott Plat, BW Diamond
Posts: 172
May 15, 2018, 4:24 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I’ve taken a lot of flack for saying that the language is not clear to me (and a few others), while it is unambiguous to so many others. Seems odd that William has to check, no?
Maybe we should wait for the Lurkers to confirm before continuing to reassure everyone that this is what Marriott intends.
But hopefully we'll have 100% confirmation soon.