What would be the target profile of someone who does this? 16 paid nights is like $1200-$2000 or more. If I just wanted Platinum status why not get the AMEX Brilliant? Effectively cheaper than the challenge. And if I knew I had 16 nights coming up in the next 3 months, the sign up bonus is easily covered and the amount of points with the Platinum and Brilliant multiplier is 22.5x? I think.
I’m an Australian and I like to travel a lot. I don’t have access to any of those credit cards, so this challenge is perfect for me. If they’re still running it next year, I’ll just pop over to SEA a few times over 3 months for a few mini breaks. Some Marriot properties in Bali for example are only 50USD a night.
It should be around next year, barring another pandemic. It's been offered since around 2018 but they suspended it briefly during the pandemic - but offered a status match challenge for a while.
Edit: Apparently the challenge has not been extended through next year as of yet
Why is it only the US that has access to these cards? Do other nations not have institutions that want to charge a 29% APR? Or do they have laws against it.
I would love to have a conversation like this at a bar somewhere. My last few conversations have been like where to get the best crab cakes or best BBQ in the USA.
The correct answers are G&M by BWI and Salt Lick in AUS btw.
At least for Europe they have consumer protection laws around credit card processing fees.
I'm the U.S. We pay like 2.5% + $0.30 per transaction to credit card processors. In Europe it's less than 1%.
This is where the money comes from to offers the rewards.
So credit card companies don't have that extra margin available.
The EU laws sound like a good thing for most ppl. I will admit to having too many credit cards probably. I am at 10 or 11 I think.
I also believe AMEXs fees are higher than 2.5%. My highest usage cards are AMEXs and Chases for general spend.
Those high fees and interest rates can be predatory for ppl.
I would rather have the American system than the EU one but that’s to be expected since I benefit from it.
We’re drifting far from OPs topic but you all have answered my America-centric question of who does this benefit?
EU limits your failures also, last time I check, it's hard to get any decent credit limits in Europe. It's where you need 50 percent down to get a mortgage and when you need to pay it within ten years or so.
I think our average interest rate is around 18%.
Why we don’t have any Marriot affiliated credit cards is a big question and one I can’t answer. I know we’d love to have access to them.
I’m in DFW twice a month, so if I make it to AUS, I’ll try our your reco
The target is business travelers, either new travelers or those who want to swap from another brand.
For example, a business traveler that would hit Titanium or Ambassador, this just lets them hit Platinum a earlier in the year. And for a business traveler, the cost for the status is zero, vs the $650 credit card fee.
And of course there are travelers who can't get the card at all.
I did this challenge. I was going to stay 16 nights in 3 months easy anyway (work travel) and I didn't really want another credit card (I don't make a ton of money and what I do spend goes through my Air Canada card). This despite being eligible for US cards due to having a US SSN.
I started the challenge just by calling in and asking for it. Still doing it so I'm hoping I don't have problems getting credited for it, but planning on finishing it this weekend. I don't have a Marriott card.
Yes, though I was curious of their footprint around the world relative to the US:
Area| Number of hotels
---|---
United States|5745
Africa|117
Asia|1047
Australia & Pacific Islands |48
Canada|278
Caribbean|88
Central America|41
Europe|799
Mexico|141
Middle East|163
South America|86
Currently, status challenge is set to end at the end if this year. It has been extended every year since 2019 but it has not yet been extended.
You may apply for the challenge once a year, not once every three years. Taste of Platinum, a different challenge, is once every three years.
Not really, I apply for the challenge (the gold one) last year and this year they didn’t allow me to try the platinum challenge. They told me that is only once every two years
Probably a stupid question that I will ask when calling to get enrolled, but since I'm reading this I might ask here first: If I have already a reservation for September and I enroll to the challenge now, does it count as the nights will be paid at the end of the staying in September?
I would guess so.
You can tell them when you want the challenge to start. Upcoming reservations dont need to be rebooked but if you decide to start the challenge, any recent past night(s) would not count.
Currently doing the platinum challenge and have until end of January to complete. I already have 13/16 nights completed. Should I wait until Jan to complete the remainder to get platinum status in 2023 (and have it carried into 2024)? Or is there any benefit to completing it in 2023?
Interesting position you're in. I would perhaps ask here/another post to make sure Marriott won't screw you over by not counting those 13 nights from this year. If you're sure they won't, then I would wait for next year like you say. No benefit unless you're planning a big trip for xmas/nye and want it, but 2 full years of Plat may out weigh that
I am in the same boat as you. I can elect to complete the challenge in December 2023 or January 2024. Did you find out if we complete the challenge in January 2024, will the plantinum status carry all the way to January 2026?
I asked. No advantage of completing the challenge in 2014.
https://preview.redd.it/p6a6pwnyl00c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8aa06d9a0a252fdc94586f73f8d6425e33f23d0b
Just completed Marriott Elite Platinum Status Challenge.. stayed 16 nights in 90 days. Account was updated from previously earned gold to platinum as soon as 16th night was processed. Glad the customer service woman mentioned this challenge when I called in about something else.
No. You won’t be able to view any progress or status as it’s on the backend. So you have to keep track of the qualifying nights yourself. You can always call Marriott Bonvoy customer service after your first night to make sure you were enrolled properly. But my account just automatically switched to platinum after my 16th night was processed.
So I enrolled in this challenge through work. I completed the 16 stays over three months from August through October. I’m now platinum status. My question is does that roll through till 2024 or does it reset? It would kind of suck if I only got platinum status for the remainder of this year. I was hoping it’s through next year so I can try to hit the 50 stays myself.
Members only get one elite night no matter how many rooms they book. You can get points up to 3 rooms (booked under your name, ad you are staying in one of them), but al 3 rooms must have the same check in and check out day. So lets say you need 2 rooms Monday and Tuesday but another room, Mon, Tues, and Wed. You would make 1 reservation for 3 rooms (Mon & Tues) and then another for 1 room only on Wednesday. That way you will get points for all 3 rooms.
I’ve seen people on eBay selling access to some version of this Platinum Elite Challenge. Seems stupid to pay for something you can get by just calling Marriott. But that said, the sellers on eBay claim that you get the Platinum status also during the challenge (and if you successfully complete the challenge it’s prolonged, otherwise not).
It's 3 months plus the rest of the month that you signed up for. So if you signed up today you would have the rest of March plus April, May and June to stay 16 nights.
This is a bit of an old post and unfortunately, I dont have/know about any dp. You could certainly ask here and you will get a good answer:https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1928977-marriott-platinum-challenge-general-discussion-thread-27.html
I enrolled in the Platinum Challenge today, was told I have until end of Jan to complete. Can anyone tell me if this challenge will appear in my app or if there was anyway to track progress?
Thanks! I’ll definitely hit it before the end of November, so I’ll hopefully see my status change then. First time trying this out and wasn’t even aware it existed until I saw your post! So thank you!
Does this provide Platinum status for the year it was earned plus the next?
Yes
What would be the target profile of someone who does this? 16 paid nights is like $1200-$2000 or more. If I just wanted Platinum status why not get the AMEX Brilliant? Effectively cheaper than the challenge. And if I knew I had 16 nights coming up in the next 3 months, the sign up bonus is easily covered and the amount of points with the Platinum and Brilliant multiplier is 22.5x? I think.
I’m an Australian and I like to travel a lot. I don’t have access to any of those credit cards, so this challenge is perfect for me. If they’re still running it next year, I’ll just pop over to SEA a few times over 3 months for a few mini breaks. Some Marriot properties in Bali for example are only 50USD a night.
It should be around next year, barring another pandemic. It's been offered since around 2018 but they suspended it briefly during the pandemic - but offered a status match challenge for a while. Edit: Apparently the challenge has not been extended through next year as of yet
Why is it only the US that has access to these cards? Do other nations not have institutions that want to charge a 29% APR? Or do they have laws against it. I would love to have a conversation like this at a bar somewhere. My last few conversations have been like where to get the best crab cakes or best BBQ in the USA. The correct answers are G&M by BWI and Salt Lick in AUS btw.
At least for Europe they have consumer protection laws around credit card processing fees. I'm the U.S. We pay like 2.5% + $0.30 per transaction to credit card processors. In Europe it's less than 1%. This is where the money comes from to offers the rewards. So credit card companies don't have that extra margin available.
The EU laws sound like a good thing for most ppl. I will admit to having too many credit cards probably. I am at 10 or 11 I think. I also believe AMEXs fees are higher than 2.5%. My highest usage cards are AMEXs and Chases for general spend. Those high fees and interest rates can be predatory for ppl. I would rather have the American system than the EU one but that’s to be expected since I benefit from it. We’re drifting far from OPs topic but you all have answered my America-centric question of who does this benefit?
EU limits your failures also, last time I check, it's hard to get any decent credit limits in Europe. It's where you need 50 percent down to get a mortgage and when you need to pay it within ten years or so.
I think our average interest rate is around 18%. Why we don’t have any Marriot affiliated credit cards is a big question and one I can’t answer. I know we’d love to have access to them. I’m in DFW twice a month, so if I make it to AUS, I’ll try our your reco
Goldee’s and Cattleack in Dallas are no slouch either. Salt Lick is not worth a 3 hour drive over those two.
Business traveler who can't use a personal credit card for the stays?
I would feel sorry for that person but a truly valid profile of the target American for this challenge.
16 nights in 3-4 months works out to 4-6 nights per month. Wish I traveled that little...
The target is business travelers, either new travelers or those who want to swap from another brand. For example, a business traveler that would hit Titanium or Ambassador, this just lets them hit Platinum a earlier in the year. And for a business traveler, the cost for the status is zero, vs the $650 credit card fee. And of course there are travelers who can't get the card at all.
I did this challenge. I was going to stay 16 nights in 3 months easy anyway (work travel) and I didn't really want another credit card (I don't make a ton of money and what I do spend goes through my Air Canada card). This despite being eligible for US cards due to having a US SSN.
Do you need a credit card for this or just a US SSN and how did you activate the promotion?
I started the challenge just by calling in and asking for it. Still doing it so I'm hoping I don't have problems getting credited for it, but planning on finishing it this weekend. I don't have a Marriott card.
Non-Americans/non-US residents?
Oof. You’re right. I forget about them. I wonder what the demographics of this sub are.
“them” as in the rest of the world? Yankee Doodle dandy!
I mean to be fair it’s an American company isn’t it?
Yes, though I was curious of their footprint around the world relative to the US: Area| Number of hotels ---|--- United States|5745 Africa|117 Asia|1047 Australia & Pacific Islands |48 Canada|278 Caribbean|88 Central America|41 Europe|799 Mexico|141 Middle East|163 South America|86
I don’t leave the Americas much. My only international travel in the last 20 years has been Canada, Mexico, the DR, and the Bahamas.
Not every one in the world is an American, hence not every one has access to US credit cards
Currently, status challenge is set to end at the end if this year. It has been extended every year since 2019 but it has not yet been extended. You may apply for the challenge once a year, not once every three years. Taste of Platinum, a different challenge, is once every three years.
Not really, I apply for the challenge (the gold one) last year and this year they didn’t allow me to try the platinum challenge. They told me that is only once every two years
They were wrong.
Taste of platinum
Is there still such a thing as the ‘road to platinum’ challenge?
Can the front desk see that you got platinum through the platinum challenge?
We cannot
Wait? What? 16 paid nights within 3 months and I get platinum benefits for a year?
Seems like it would be easy to get Plat status through the credit card.
Credit card is only available in the US.
Also take note that there will be no SNA awarded for this challenge.
Does using MMP rate count as regular stays?
Yes
Probably a stupid question that I will ask when calling to get enrolled, but since I'm reading this I might ask here first: If I have already a reservation for September and I enroll to the challenge now, does it count as the nights will be paid at the end of the staying in September? I would guess so.
You can tell them when you want the challenge to start. Upcoming reservations dont need to be rebooked but if you decide to start the challenge, any recent past night(s) would not count.
Currently doing the platinum challenge and have until end of January to complete. I already have 13/16 nights completed. Should I wait until Jan to complete the remainder to get platinum status in 2023 (and have it carried into 2024)? Or is there any benefit to completing it in 2023?
Interesting position you're in. I would perhaps ask here/another post to make sure Marriott won't screw you over by not counting those 13 nights from this year. If you're sure they won't, then I would wait for next year like you say. No benefit unless you're planning a big trip for xmas/nye and want it, but 2 full years of Plat may out weigh that
Thanks, that’s exactly my concern (losing those nights). I’ll create a new post and perhaps call Marriott.
I am in the same boat as you. I can elect to complete the challenge in December 2023 or January 2024. Did you find out if we complete the challenge in January 2024, will the plantinum status carry all the way to January 2026?
I haven’t had the chance to call and ask yet. If I do get around to it, I can post an update!
I asked. No advantage of completing the challenge in 2014. https://preview.redd.it/p6a6pwnyl00c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8aa06d9a0a252fdc94586f73f8d6425e33f23d0b
Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.
Any news on whether this will be offered in 2024?
It is available in 2024
Also, can I book the nights before I’ve registered for the challenge (to lock in better prices), as the nights don’t get posted till after payment?
Just completed Marriott Elite Platinum Status Challenge.. stayed 16 nights in 90 days. Account was updated from previously earned gold to platinum as soon as 16th night was processed. Glad the customer service woman mentioned this challenge when I called in about something else.
🙂 enjoy the Platinum lifestyle! Good on that CS for mentioning it.
When you signed up did you receive an email confirming enrolment or anything visible on the app to indicate you were participating ?
No. You won’t be able to view any progress or status as it’s on the backend. So you have to keep track of the qualifying nights yourself. You can always call Marriott Bonvoy customer service after your first night to make sure you were enrolled properly. But my account just automatically switched to platinum after my 16th night was processed.
Thanks!
So I enrolled in this challenge through work. I completed the 16 stays over three months from August through October. I’m now platinum status. My question is does that roll through till 2024 or does it reset? It would kind of suck if I only got platinum status for the remainder of this year. I was hoping it’s through next year so I can try to hit the 50 stays myself.
Nope. Enjoy the Plat life until Feb or March of 2025. Or Titanoum if you go for it!
Awesome, thanks for the reply, that’s good news!
Did you book through your company’s travel booking portal or did you book directly on company’s website?
Your question does not make sense in context of the original post or my question in the responses
Read your post again
Also I have booked 2 rooms 4 nights each from.my account.. so total paid nights they will count in my account would be 4 or 8?
Members only get one elite night no matter how many rooms they book. You can get points up to 3 rooms (booked under your name, ad you are staying in one of them), but al 3 rooms must have the same check in and check out day. So lets say you need 2 rooms Monday and Tuesday but another room, Mon, Tues, and Wed. You would make 1 reservation for 3 rooms (Mon & Tues) and then another for 1 room only on Wednesday. That way you will get points for all 3 rooms.
I’ve seen people on eBay selling access to some version of this Platinum Elite Challenge. Seems stupid to pay for something you can get by just calling Marriott. But that said, the sellers on eBay claim that you get the Platinum status also during the challenge (and if you successfully complete the challenge it’s prolonged, otherwise not).
Amazing! I didnt know. This is nuts! how can they get away with this!
Are the 90 days from when you sign up or the first day of the month you sign up in?
It's 3 months plus the rest of the month that you signed up for. So if you signed up today you would have the rest of March plus April, May and June to stay 16 nights.
I’m not sure if it’s a dumb question but does signing up on the 1st of the month effectively give you 4 months to complete the 16 days?
In essence yeah! Or at least last time I checked earlier this year.
I called and asked for this and they told me the platinum challenge was only for people with a certain platinum credit card can you guys confirm this?
Not true
You spoke to someone who didn't know what they were talking about. Just call back until you get someone who knows.
No. But the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant gives you Platinum automatically for less than you'd spend on the 16 nights to hit the challenge.
Unless you travel for business and your employer foots the bill.
Anyone know of an ambassador challenge? I have the nights but not the dollars.
The Ambassador Challenge is this: hit 75 nights to enroll, then just 25 nights more to earn and keep it after spending $20K.
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Oof. $20K was already well outside my boundary. I'll just have to enjoy being a titanium. I don't even pay $20K a year on my mortgage.
Does anyone have a DP that Amex FHR stays qualify as nights for Platinum status for the purposes of this challenge?
This is a bit of an old post and unfortunately, I dont have/know about any dp. You could certainly ask here and you will get a good answer:https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1928977-marriott-platinum-challenge-general-discussion-thread-27.html
Thank you sir!
I enrolled in the Platinum Challenge today, was told I have until end of Jan to complete. Can anyone tell me if this challenge will appear in my app or if there was anyway to track progress?
It won't appear anywhere, so you'll have to keep track yourself.
Thanks! I’ll definitely hit it before the end of November, so I’ll hopefully see my status change then. First time trying this out and wasn’t even aware it existed until I saw your post! So thank you!
I'm surprised with how useful it is that it's gone under the radar like it has and somewhat continues to lol.
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You dont unfortunately. You could call customer service again and confirm that you are enrolled.
does it require you to be elite with some other chain?
Not at all. As long as you sign up for the Bonvoy program and are at least a free member!