Today we have a Reader Question about the Marriott Lifetime Platinum Tier that members can obtain by collecting 600 nights and 10 years of Platinum (or higher) status with the Bonvoy program.
One of our readers who reached Lifetime Platinum in early January of this year is surprised that there hasn’t been a single indicator of recognition from Marriott for achieving this milestone.
It’s rather unusual that there isn’t at least an email acknowledgement or something of that kind following a member obtaining one of the lifetime elite tier level available under the Bonvoy program.
Our reader Peter writes:
Following your article about Marriott goodwill elite nights for 2020/2021 and those counting towards life time status I checked my account and realized I had already been upgraded to life time Platinum since the first week of January way before any of the complimentary nights were credited.
I’m baffled that I haven’t gotten anything from Marriott. No email, no letter, no life time card or recognition at the recent hotels I stayed at after becoming a Platinum member for life. Is this normal? I’m life time Diamond with Hilton as well and they sent me a generous gift package yet crickets from Marriott.
Thanks, Peter from Amsterdam
It’s indeed odd that now as we’re going towards the end of February Marriott hasn’t gotten in touch with a member who by all accounts made lifetime Platinum 6+ weeks ago.
In the very least I’d expect at least an email.
Interestingly I myself have just been elevated to Lifetime Platinum following the credit of the complimentary nights based on my 2020 Titanium level, landing me at exactly 600 Nights:
Now this was just two and a half weeks ago but just like Peter I haven’t gotten any communication from Marriott to the likes of Congratulations!
Marriott Bonvoy can indeed be extremely late with notifying members about all sorts of program related information be it Elite Choice, Status Upgrades, general program information or promotions.
For some reasons there is something within the Marriott machine that makes their clock tick extremely slow and members are often notified well after an event including important deadlines to register for certain promotions.
What can the member expect?
For now – February 2021 – nobody really knows. It could be an email or even a physical letter that includes a membership card which has been sent out to Lifetime Titanium and Platinum members until at least 2019.
The letter would require a valid postal address on file where the member can be reached as well as (possibly) the consent settings to allow for postal mail communication in the accounts privacy settings.
The Titanium package is what John received back then.
This cool world map from the old SPG days with all locations marked where the member stayed as well as the sleek metal card (very heavy) is unfortunately a relic of the past as well.
I’d say to way a few more weeks and then maybe if there is really nothing forthcoming the member could contact Marriott Bonvoy customer care and inquire what is going on.
Conclusion
It’s highly unusual why Marriott wouldn’t contact a member automatically first by email and then maybe by letter mail or through a local sales office to congratulate to the achievement of lifetime status which a significant event in a customers relationship with the company.
Marriott has already awarded the status to both our reader Peter in early January (and myself early February) yet total silence from them. Bad marketing approach in my opinion, I really don’t understand this.
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I live in the DC area where Marriott is HQ’d. They’re running very learn there. Not surprised at all. I’d cut them some slack if it was me.
To be fair their CEO did just die, they’ve had one of the worst years financially in their history. Give it time!
No excuse. These are automated processes and Marriott still sends out emails for everything else. They simply never bothered to set it up.
Keep in mind that there has also been an issue with lifetime status year counts. I was told by end of month mine would be correctly updated
Not an issue in these cases where the customers have already been awarded their Lifetime status with way more than the required Platinum years.
That might explain how I went from 6 years as gold or higher for several months now to 5 years. I’m really glad to hear that this is just a weird temporary glitch.
I remember when I coached and threw BP to the kids. I was so excited I must have thrown hundreds of pitches. I couldn’t put on a pullover shirt the next day without really feeling it.
Did you maybe reply to me instead of someone else regarding baseball?
Why would the author or the submitter of the story not contact Marriott and inquire about it? I’m sure that’s what readers would want to hear, right?
I got nothing either in early 2019 when I reached Lifetime Platinum Elite status. 🤷♂️
I’ve actually been quite satisfied with just finally reaching Lifetime Platinum in January. I’m fine without any bells or whistles. Seeing it displayed in the Marriott app is thrills enough for me.
Just a long marketing opportunity which is strange for a company that loves to send out emails about all kinds of other junk yet when a customer reaches Lifetime it’s crickets from Marriott.
Like Mets fan I have had an issue with lifetime year status. Last year the year count did not change till May. Same thing happened this year and customer service says it will take till end of March.
Anyone else having these issues?
Same issue for me, it didn’t count the year. And I’m wondering….
If Marriott sent out a letter and gift package via US Postal Service there is a very good possibility it is held up due to the recent cuts in staffing and equipment in the US. Not making excuses for Marriott, rather mail delays, as in significant mail delays, are now tragically the norm rather than the exception. Simply an observation.
I’m 662 nights and 11 years to date. Hit 600 night mark last year but haven’t heard/got anything from Bonvoy either so I’m not surprised.
It took me nearly a year to receive the package with the lifetime card (granted that was when they were merging SPG with Marriott when I qualified). But with the COVID situation + USPS delays, I would certainly expect significant delays.
What surprised me is that Titanium Lifetime got a card board when for Platinum Lifetime, I received a metal card that’s heavier than the usual metal credit card.
I as well experienced the same back in April. I only found out I achieved Lifetime Platinum Elite status when I happened to be online checking my account. Since then its been crickets, no notification of any kind…Though comical, I had charges on my CC which I thought was odd, after follow up, the Mgr reported it was for a months use of WIFI to which I replied, but I thought its free, I am Lifetime Platinum…silence….further follow up, credit on my CC
This is actually nothing new with Marriott, it’s been going on for years. It was a very hotly discussed topic back before Marriott shut down the Marriott Insiders site and put it up on FB, but since I cannot even spell FB I cannot do more than guess it is still being much discussed.
My own Lifetime Platinum status notification some eight years back never showed up. Only after knowing I’d reached the requirements did I contact Marriott and “oh I see you’ve achieved Lifetime Platinum” was the response from the Customer Service agent.
So fear not all, you’re not alone.