Update: Appears the offer is good to accept through April 1, 2014 and if accepted, will award status through the rest of 2014.
Marriott is offering Platinum Status to existing members for only 40,000 points. The status normally requires 75 nights in a hotel, but for members who didn’t achieve that number to remain Platinum this year, they can redeem 40,000 points to keep the Platinum status…through only April 1, 2014. Here are the details:
Marriott’s 40,000 Platinum Offer
I received a Platinum retention offer where I could redeem 40,000 bonus points to retain my Platinum status through April 1, 2014. That’s only a month away!
Retain Platinum Elite status with your points. You can buy back your status for just 40,000 points without meeting the minimum 75-night requirement, now through April 1, 2014.
Key Platinum member benefits include:
- A 50% point bonus
- Lounge access/breakfast at participating JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott® Hotels (excluding resorts)
- Guaranteed arrival gift
Simply call Guest Services at 1-800-321-7396 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada).
- Buy Back my Elite status from Gold to Platinum status: 40,000 points
- Buy Back my Elite status from Silver to Gold status: 25,000 points
- Buy Back my Elite status from Basic to Silver status: 7,500 points
Bottom Line
I won’t be taking advantage of the 40,000 Platinum retention offer. The duration of the offer is too short for me to realize any benefit out of the offer. It could make sense if I were to go on a tear of Marriott stays where the increased earnings of 50% Platinum bonus over the 25% Gold bonus would make up for the difference. But it would take quit a lot of spending to get to that break even point.
Besides, I’m perfectly happy with my Marriott Gold status – Why I like Marriott Gold status.
Will you retain your Marriott Platinum status or just go for the gold?
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- Marriott – Why I like Marriott Gold status
- Marriott – How to get Marriott Platinum status after only 9 Marriott hotel stays
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The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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Are you suggesting that you will only have platinum until April 1? The offer is only valid through that time and the status is good for all of 2014.
Totally not worth it. Plan gets you nothing at Marriott – no guaranteed suite upgrades or certs. Gold is the sweet spot.
Agree with KP. You interpreted this offer incorrectly.
It’s definitely good for all of 2014 but may not be worth unless you have at least 50 nights planned. Plat gets you very little over gold and upgrades are close to non-existent.
Marriott used to give a “Taste of platinum.” Clearly, after alignment with United, that all changed. They have a real attitude about giving anyone even a challenge now. Sure, it protects those that have a lot of revenue nights, but for someone that has many stays at their competitors, it makes little sense. Hyatt went over and beyond to give me a challenge and now I am HOOKED on them. Bravo Hyatt!
I did Taste of Platinum Challenge and was Platinum for the year after I completed the challenge (9 stays at 9 Marriotts in 90 days … easy!). As Platinum, I used to get upgraded without even asking at almost every Marriott I stayed at. Routine 4 p.m. checkouts. Many hotels would give me welcome gift points AND a market item. It truly felt like royalty. When my Platinum lapsed to Gold, imagine my surprise when I got the email that said for 40,000 points I could get it back. I jumped at the chance (although I know the Platinum 50% bonus and gift points accrued on future stays would never equal 40,000 points in a calendar year) because it was worth it for me to be upgraded 90% of the time at ANY chain of Marriott when I was Platinum for the challenge year. Something changed DRASTICALLY in the past few months. As a renewed Platinum member under the 40,000 point deal, I was constantly told that the hotels I stayed at were not able to upgrade me. I went on Marriott’s app and pointed out that there were plenty of suites still available for my stay, so they had the upgrades … they just weren’t giving them to me. I was told Platinum upgrades no longer include suites. It would be a higher floor room or a corner room or a room with a view, if available. Which is quite ridiculous to say that you would upgrade me to a higher floor at a 3 story Residence Inn. Honestly, lower floors are easier with luggage, etc. Add that to the fact many times I was told late check out could only be extended for 30 minutes. Only 30 minutes extra for a top elite? I also noticed that the ‘Platinum’ customer service agents I spoke with were incredibly rude and did not at all treat you like an elite member. often they argued small points and had a snooty tone. I called last week and told them I wanted my 40,000 points back and to be taken back down to Gold as I felt Platinum was useless without upgrades/late checkouts. I have to admit, if the Platinum program stayed as good as it was the first year I had it, I would never move from Marriott! I used to be Gold Hilton and loved the upgrades but left after the devaluation. Gold Sheraton was as good as it gets with the club lounges and sometimes upgrades, however it seemed like I stayed at tons of hotels and got minimal free nights. Was IHG (Priority Club) Platinum for many years but left because I wasn’t getting upgrades as it seemed like Platinum was very easy to make year after year so everyone and anyone was Platinum. I realize I wasn’t a ‘true’ Platinum Marriott with 75 stays, but I truly believe Marriott treats its Challenge members BETTER than its actual Platinum members in order to entice you to switch brands (a taste of …) and then doesn’t live up to an elite experience. I’d encourage anyone to not do the 40,000 point re-up unless you do it for the free breakfast/club lounge. I am glad they gave me back my points and let me back to my earned level of Gold though.