Taking advantage of Elite Night rollovers

[EliB]

As we approach the end of the month I'm reviewing my status to make sure I hit Gold Elite again for 2012. This morning in the shower I had a clever idea and I'm curious about what gotcha I might be forgetting.

The setup: currently Gold Elite, will hit 48 nights by the end of the year. If I squeeze in two more, I'll hit 50, renew, and start the new year with the base 10 from the Marriott Rewards Visa.

Or, assuming Marriott continues Elite Night rollovers for 2012:
Fail to reach Gold Elite for 2012, but retain status through Feb.
Lose 10 nights to renew as Silver Elite, and then re-gain them from the Visa.
Stay two nights in January, and become eligible for Gold Elite again for all of 2012, AND for 2013.
Try for Platinum Elite.

Is there something simple I'm missing? (other than the possibility they discontinue elite rollover).

-Eli

 

[rthib]

Common Strategy

If you look at the discussion on Flyertalk, this is a common strategy for both Hotels and Airlines.
In fact you will see a few people complaining because they were awarded bonuses or granted the next level.

The one gotcha is to remember that roll overs do not rollover for Marriott.

So you need to subtract what rolled over this year from next years rollover.

 

[CapriciousC]

If you have 48 nights by the end of the year, I'd be surprised if they don't automatically renew you to Gold Elite for next year. It's not uncommon for them to bump you up if you're really close to the cutoff.

 

[dioxide45]

You are gold now, if you don't make gold again, will you even roll any nights over? We are in a similar situation. Currently gold but won't renew before year end. We have 30 nights right now. We will fall to silver, but because we are gold we will have 0 nights over 50 to roll over. That is my interpretation, am I wrong? If I were silver I would roll 20 over, but I am not.

 

[LAX Mom]

Marriott considers your status as of Dec 31 for rollover nights. So if you are currently gold that isn't going to change between now and the end of Dec.

Marriott will rollover only those nights above your current status (gold) to 2012..... So anything above 50 will rollover.

 

[dioxide45]

Marriott considers your status as of Dec 31 for rollover nights. So if you are currently gold that isn't going to change between now and the end of Dec.

Marriott will rollover only those nights above your current status (gold) to 2012..... So anything above 50 will rollover.

So the OP should try to stay two nights somewhere to guaranty gold. Otherwise back to silver and only 10 nights from the credit card. Just like us.

 

[Ann in CA]

We have been Platinum this year, and have 71 nights so far, but received a "Congratulations" (from Marriott in our account on Marriott.com) a few weeks ago for qualifying again. We do have a couple of weeks coming up this month, but do they check on what is reserved in the future to determine that? I don't think we have ever been "congratulated" early before.

 

[BocaBoy]

We have been Platinum this year, and have 71 nights so far, but received a "Congratulations" (from Marriott in our account on Marriott.com) a few weeks ago for qualifying again. We do have a couple of weeks coming up this month, but do they check on what is reserved in the future to determine that? I don't think we have ever been "congratulated" early before.

It is pretty common. They have decided that your status will be renewed even if you end the year at only 71 nights.

 

[DebbieF]

My husband is platinum. He needs only 1 more night to retain status. I called MR and they told me he will be platinum until Feb.2013 so they definitely can/will bump you if you are close.

 

[dualrated2]

We have been Platinum this year, and have 71 nights so far, but received a "Congratulations" (from Marriott in our account on Marriott.com) a few weeks ago for qualifying again. We do have a couple of weeks coming up this month, but do they check on what is reserved in the future to determine that? I don't think we have ever been "congratulated" early before.

I had the "Congratulations" message also a few days ago and now it's gone. I'll finish the year with over 105 nights so I'm not worried but wonder why they removed the message?

 

[EliB]

You are gold now, if you don't make gold again, will you even roll any nights over? We are in a similar situation. Currently gold but won't renew before year end. We have 30 nights right now. We will fall to silver, but because we are gold we will have 0 nights over 50 to roll over. That is my interpretation, am I wrong? If I were silver I would roll 20 over, but I am not.

Thanks dioxide45 and LAX Mom-- that is the hidden flaw in my logic. Nights above my current Gold Elite status level would roll over, not above a reduced Silver Elite status level.

Wow that would have been a huge fail. I guess I'd better schedule a couple of stays.