Marriott has an interesting promotion where you can actually buy back your elite status if you didn’t re-qualify in 2010. While I think it might make sense to buy back to Platinum or Gold simply because of the free breakfast, internet, and room upgrades, Silver doesn’t get much besides a 20% point bonus. (Full list of Marriott Elite benefits).Overall, I like what Marriott is doing - giving people who may have been laid off in 2010, but returning to work in 2011, a chance to get back in the traveling game without slumming it with no status. In the meantime, they take a bunch of points off their books and engender loyalty with top customers. “Buying” back status seems like it could create more value with the consumer instead of randomly extending status (which some chains do). This feels like win-win for all and I suspect other chains will copy Marriott’s model in the future.Tip of the hat to Ric at Loyalty Traveler, which is a great blog for detailed analysis on hotel loyalty programs.Per this promotion link:“As one of our valued Elite members, we understand that your travel needs vary from year to year and that occasionally you might not have the required number of stays to maintain your Elite status. But we know how important Marriott Rewards benefits are to you - so we are offering you a limited-time opportunity to buy back your status for 2011 using points that you may already have.Here’s all it takes to reinstate your level:Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Points required to buy back Platinum status - 40,000 (a savings of 20,000 points)Points required to buy back Gold status - 25,000 (a savings of 15,000 points)Points required to buy back Silver status - 7,500 (a savings of 12,500 points)Remember, if you don’t have enough points in your account, you can alwaysbuy up to 50,000 points every year.This offer is valid through April 1, 2011 and allows only one level of buyback, which must match the Elite level you enjoyed in 2010.Once your status has been reinstated, Marriott Rewards will send you a new valid membership card for your restored Elite level.How to Do It: Two Ways to Buy Back Your Elite StatusSimply call Guest Services at 1-800-321-7396 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada),orEmail us at Marriott Rewards with your information.If emailing us, include your name and Rewards number, then copy (or cut-and-paste) one of the three options below:Switch my Elite status from Gold to Platinum status for 40,000 pointsorSwitch my Elite status from Silver to Gold status for 25,000 pointsorSwitch my Elite status from Basic to Silver status for 7,500 points “[card card-name=‘Ink Plus® Business Credit Card’ card-id=‘22129636’ type=‘javascript’ bullet-id=‘1’]
