Marriott Platinum Challenge

[albatross710]

Well so far, so good. I had a stay at Marriott Cebu already booked and planned. A quick call to the Marriott Rewards centre had me singed up to the Platinum Challenge within about one minute. They said I had to wait 24 hours for it to be active and then i had the balance of May and three full months to make the 19 nights of stays.

It is unlikely that I'll make the challenge but the three nights at the above hotel I was treated to exec level and lounge access, daily concierge phone calls, fruit platter and drink on arrival. A worthy investment of my time.

 

[Deewhy]

Did they treat you as plat while you were there after you registered or was just a perk from the stay?

 

[albatross710]

Did they treat you as plat while you were there after you registered or was just a perk from the stay?

The lounge staff were happy to help and assist, knowing me by name.
There was a phone call one day just to make sure that I was happy with everything.

Other than that, I was tied up with working and felt productive ie I wasn't unduly tied up with the Philippines hotel processes!

I did have cause to deal with another Philippines hotel at which my staffer was staying - now they were painful. So process driven that it just drove me mad. The Marriott certainly avoided that feeling.

Actually sitting back here in corporate Brisbane I rather like the idea of logging into the wi-fi in the Marriott lounge and kicking back with a coffee again.

 

[albatross710]

I failed my previous Marriott Platinum Challenge and actually have zero miles in that account. I'm wondering if it is worthwhile registering a new Marriott Rewards account and making a new Platinum challenge? I have a multi-night stay already booked in January in London....it would be nice to include that as a Plat.

I guess for the new account I'd use my work address.

Anyone had experience doing this?

Alby

 

[albatross710]

Quick update:

I called the Australian Rewards Number and was told that "the Platinum Challenge is only available by invitation now"....hmmm

I called the US toll free number and was enrolled into the challenge without question.

Happy days.

Alby

 

[albatross710]

I failed my previous Marriott Platinum Challenge and actually have zero miles in that account. I'm wondering if it is worthwhile registering a new Marriott Rewards account and making a new Platinum challenge? I have a multi-night stay already booked in January in London....it would be nice to include that as a Plat.

I guess for the new account I'd use my work address.

Anyone had experience doing this?

Alby

It worked!!

Last year (6 months ago) I did a Platinum Challenge and enjoyed the Platinum benefits so much that I wanted to try it again but without waiting another year.

I went to the Marriott website and setup a new Marriott rewards account. I used a different email & postal address. Then telephoned and registered for the Platinum Challenge as previously mentioned.

Over the past three weeks the family has had 6 nights at Marriotts in Europe enjoying the platinum benefits. I only had one glitch when I was revisiting a Marriott at which I had previously stayed with my old MR number. They were very happy to see me again. I asked them to change my MR number in the system which they did without question. Once they had the new number which was showing Platinum we were upgraded and provided Exec room access. They were even more happy to see me.

All up the daily value of receiving Platinum benefits for a family of four could be qualified to be 4 x full breakfasts, another 2-3 visits during the day for pastries coffee, tea, snacks plus evening coughtails...probably well more than 120 Euros per day.

Will certainly recommend the Marriott Platinum status as an excellent goal to achieve.

Alby

 

[mumof2sydney]

hi all- emailed eliterewards to ask for platinum challenge=- was initially told yes but then they replied again and said- nope - only silver...(i have accor platinum and hilton gold)...advice?? should i use the new account to call and ask?? US or aus number?? And how do you get directly to the US call centre?? Thanks in advance...

 

[mumof2sydney]

as an update to my above post...after one month of silence with me having long ago given up on this deal- marriott just gave me gold....insane...i had planned to stay at renaissance hotels in asia but switched them to hilton because of their initial rejections...too bad marriott...

 

[albatross710]

hi all- emailed eliterewards to ask for platinum challenge=- was initially told yes but then they replied again and said- nope - only silver...(i have accor platinum and hilton gold)...advice?? should i use the new account to call and ask?? US or aus number?? And how do you get directly to the US call centre?? Thanks in advance...

Sorry I missed this post. I ring the US number using the free US calls in Gmail. I've never had any luck with Australia/Asia numbers whom say that it is a targeted promotion.

The number I see today on their website for Customer Service is (801) 468-4000.

 

[mumof2sydney]

Sorry I missed this post. I ring the US number using the free US calls in Gmail. I've never had any luck with Australia/Asia numbers whom say that it is a targeted promotion.

The number I see today on their website for Customer Service is (801) 468-4000.

hi albatross710 - free us calls in gmail?? what am i missing ??

 

[Inver]

hi albatross710 - free us calls in gmail?? what am i missing ??

I sent an email [email protected] asking to participate in the "Tase of Gold" program.

Having received no communication from them (which I heard is quite common) I rang the 24 US toll free number using Skype and was surprised to learn that I was accepted.

 

[albatross710]

hi albatross710 - free us calls in gmail?? what am i missing ??

woops, sorry I missed your post. the Gmail chat window provides free calls to US mobile and landlines.

Call phones from Gmail

I notice it says 1c per minute, but I've never been charged that. Maybe that rate is just recent sine I posted!

 

[Fifa]

As I have a stay booked at the Marriott Copenhagen next month I plan on joining Marriott Rewards in early September and will take advantage of the "Join Marriott Rewards and stay twice to earn a free night" promo.
Then I will call and request a platinum challenge which should give us access to the executive lounge (and Platinum until the end of Dec 2013).
Only one more night at a cheap Marriott in the US the next month and I plan to enjoy a free night in Sydney.
Hope it all goes according to plan.

 

[bismarck]

Any difference in treatment/recognition/rewards at Ritz-Carlton? Will be staying at the RC in Dubai regularly over the next few months and was planning on enrolling in the platinum challenge.

 

[albatross710]

Interestingly I tried to active a Platinum Challenge and was advised by the US call centre operator (1 801 468 4000) that Marriott no longer offer the Platinum Challenge. He advised that the only offer that I was solicited for a Megabonus promotion.

Has anyone had recent success signing up for a Platinum Challenge.

I'm planning to call back on another call centre shift. I've got 14 days in the US to enjoy the challenge if I can get it.

 

[bismarck]

Interestingly I tried to active a Platinum Challenge and was advised by the US call centre operator (1 801 468 4000) that Marriott no longer offer the Platinum Challenge. He advised that the only offer that I was solicited for a Megabonus promotion.

Has anyone had recent success signing up for a Platinum Challenge.

I'm planning to call back on another call centre shift. I've got 14 days in the US to enjoy the challenge if I can get it.

I tried the same and have had no success. Frustrating as I'll be staying about 50 nights at the Ritz Carlton so will earn Gold but have no ability to enjoy it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I am afraid Marriott aren't my religious flavor in any case....