A Little Scared – Curacao Marriott Stay Tomorrow with only Silver Status!!!

by Adam

Every year during xmas week my family and I take an annual trip to the Caribbean using only miles and points, it’s a tradition that started over ten years ago. We switch islands every year and have almost run out of those islands where there is a major hotel chain allowing us to redeem hotel awards.  This year we are off to Curacao and staying at the Marriott. For all the travel I had this year, I stayed at NO Marriott hotels at all. My stays have been mostly at SPG and Hyatt properties with a few Hilton nights thrown in as well. Hence, I only have Silver Marriott Elite status as do my family members (from their Chase Marriott Rewards cards). I’m not too upset as most Marriott Resorts are not required (and don’t) provide breakfast as a Gold/Platinum benefit and the Curacao Marriott has no club lounge anyway. However, as we are booked for the standard garden room, it would have been nice to have a chance at an ocean view room and free wifi (though it’s free in the lobby area). I did email reservations with a request for ocean view rooms, but without status and it being xmas week and all, I don’t have much hope for an upgrade. Could I have moved some of my travel over to Marriott the last few months, probably but I just didn’t feel it was worth it for the few benefits. Crazily, this will be my first hotel stay all year at a property where I do not have middle or top tier status…I know the travesty haha!!  I’ll be updating the blog with our results.

Speaking of travesty 😉 , we are flying AA on coach awards (NYC-MIA-CUR), meaning no upgrades!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable week.  I’ll be sporadically posting and some of the Easy Points entries will appear throughout the week for any readers who may have missed out on some very easy points opportunities.

a pool with palm trees and a building

a white line with black lines

Update – As the The Weekly Flyer reminded me and posted about earlier in the week Marriott is still running their platinum challenge with immediate platinum status. The Frequent Miler also posted about his platinum challenge earlier in the week. I’ll be calling from Miami to request the match prior to arriving in Curacao.  Hoping for the best!

Update – Got very lucky.  Asked for the challenge during the layover in Miami and was told it would reflect at midnight MST. I notified the hotel but they had already upgraded us with just our silver status and a fully sold out hotel!  At 11pm EST, the status is already showing as Platinum!

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8 comments

The Weekly Flyer December 23, 2012 - 2:45 pm

Hurry, ask for a Platinum challenge tonight. You’ll have Platinum status instantly!

Reply
adam December 23, 2012 - 5:05 pm

@The Weekly Flyer – Geez and I read your post earlier in Nov haha! Crazy week before vacation, totally blew my mind! I spoke to a representative, the customer service department is closed until tomorrow morning 6am mountain time but I’ll call during my connection in Miami. They confirmed as you posted that the status should update immediately, though I’ll have to have the front desk refresh the Marriott Rewards status upon check in. Thanks Again!!! Will let you know how it goes.

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Grant December 23, 2012 - 3:39 pm

@TWF, exactly what i was gunna say. Hopefully the status posts in time: http://boardingarea.com/frequentmiler/2012/12/20/marriotts-taste-of-platinum-challenge/

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adam December 23, 2012 - 5:05 pm

@Grant – Thanks as well!!!

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Frequent Miler December 23, 2012 - 5:40 pm

Actually, in my experience it took about 24 hours for the status to kick in. It might not help you at this point!

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adam December 24, 2012 - 9:04 pm

@Frequent Miler, The Weekly Flyer, Grant – Got lucky. Asked for the challenge during the layover in Miami and was told it would reflect at midnight MST. Notified the hotel but they had already upgraded us with just our silver status and a sold out hotel, very lucky! At 11pm EST, the status is already showing as Platinum. Thanks guys!

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The Weekly Flyer December 24, 2012 - 3:41 am

FrequentMiler- It can certainly help him. Even if it is not instant, which it is, he’s staying six nights. So at worst, he goes to front desk on morning 1, and asks for his stay to be updated. I think it is a worthwhile effort.

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Trip Report – Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & AA NYC-CUR on Points, Best Curacao Beaches - Point Me To The Plane April 8, 2013 - 9:58 am

[…] Marriott stays in 2012 and was only a silver elite. Luckily, The Weekly Flyer reminded me that Marriott was running their platinum challenge with an immediate platinum status match. I called from the airport in Miami and was told the update […]

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