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Hi, has anyone used a site like this to pay for platinum status?
https://www.myhotelaward.com/product/marriott-platinum-2-years-with-16-virtual-mattress-run-nights-up-to-16k-points/They claim for around d £740 they will give you platinum status.
Reason why I’m considering this is because I’m a current Gold member with marriott and planning a 5 nights points stay for me and my partner in the le méridien resoort in the Maldives. Breakfast there alone is working out to be £400 for the both of us so wandering if there’s any value in signing up to the platinum for the free breakfast + the other benefits that come with it.
Just want to know whether it’s safe to use that website.
I think the fact you’re asking here tells you your answer. Too good to be true. And could see your account shut and a lifetime ban. I expect they arrange very low cost stays in the developing world and have hotel staff locally set up to process the paperwork as if you turned up.
Switch to a Hilton Maldives property and rely on Hilton Gold for free breakfasts?
I’d run a mile just from the website! It looks amateurish and clearly using Bonvoy logo with no official sanction. Also I don’t see how it would be financially viable for the price, even if they used dirt cheap hotels (do Marriott even have any of those?!)
Yup, that WILL get your account closed!
Why go down an illegal route when you can do it legally?
Assuming you have zero nights, get the bonvoy card and register for the double elite nights and book a cheap stay at a nearby marriott for 18 nights (you must check in physically).
Or ask Marriott for a status challenge directly and book a cheap stay for 16 nights. Many corporates have this offer, so check with your travel department if you have one.You’ll basically be signed up for a status challenge and then they’ll do 16 nights somewhere cheap
get the Marriott Amex = 15 nights and do a few mattress runs / weekend breaks between now and end of April for double nights + 1k bonus per night and you’ll get platinum anyway
AAA Rate and XML rate if you work for an eligible employer might make the maths work
You might not save the £800 but you might send the money on a few weekend breaks ilo of just breakfast and no upgrade/paying for a better room. the 5 NUA might be invaluable for Maldives too!
As shady as it looks, it’s not uncommon to see such “virtual mattress run” offers and if you find the right channel it could be a bargain with no backfire. That said, I have no idea how trustworthy this specific website is.
Hi Guys, thanks for all the responses.
I first came across that website via eBay, and it did have lots of positive feedback on eBay. But they are off eBay now and I don’t feel as protected buying direct on thier website hence why I’m asking here.
I already have an Amex Marriot card and have 15 nights and around 200k points.
If I do the status challenge and do Virtual Mattress runs, there is a marriott near heathrow that’s £70 per night (I live close by so can check in) that will be £70 x 16 nights = £1120
Is that the most cost effective way of doing it?
I had originally planned to do this to spend £740 to save the £400 breakfast and for the other platinum benefits. But now it seams I’m paying £1120 to save the £400 breakfast plus other benefits. Is it worth it?
I’ve got burnt in the past doing this and Marriott took no sympathy at all . Account closed and got a call from someone at Marriott expressing that selling and infact buying such product was against their terms . They were very stroppy indeed , next day listing on eBay was removed and they were no longer a reg user.
I did wait a few month and reopen a new account in a different email … all is fine . I just did a plat challenge of 16 nights to obtain platinum. I did it in Asia and paid around 40 a night for accom in Philippines. Got plat as soon as the stayed posted ( was 48 hours)
Seriously wouldn’t recommend buying such items off eBay , there are sellers who also offer virtual mattresses runs and give you night credits , that’s a big no no too
Just out of interest, how did Marriott find out? (Not in the least surprised that they weren’t sympathetic!)
I first came across that website via eBay, and it did have lots of positive feedback on eBay. But they are off eBay now and I don’t feel as protected buying direct on thier website hence why I’m asking here.
lol, you think selling on eBay makes it legit by default?
And you think eBay will ‘protect’ you for engaging in fraudulent activity?This is a basic looking US site, that gives you prices in dollars, but it works for the UK, so put in how many nights you need, a location, radius and date range, and it tells you the cheapest options. It works for Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt
@northernlass . Marriott just called me out of blue and asked how I obtained my status (previously) when they asked that I Immediately knew there was a problem and thought I’ll best be honest and said I purchased from eBay (didn’t want to lie) it was about 2 weeks after I had purchased , luckily I got my money back via eBay which was a relief
That would explain why they disappeared from eBay then!
This is a basic looking US site, that gives you prices in dollars, but it works for the UK, so put in how many nights you need, a location, radius and date range, and it tells you the cheapest options. It works for Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt
That’s quite brilliant, I just tried it and it came up with my local Hampton by Hilton at $87 for the cheapest night in April (I assume the rate translates correctly to £ when you check with Hilton).
I did wait a few month and reopen a new account in a different email … all is fine . I just did a plat challenge of 16 nights to obtain platinum. I did it in Asia and paid around 40 a night for accom in Philippines. Got plat as soon as the stayed posted ( was 48 hours)
Did you actually stay at a 40 dollar a night place for 16 nights?
Hi it was approx 40 GBP … yea stayed … went to a couple of other island during the time for a few nights (not Marriott) kept some of our luggage in the room , hotel were aware
This is a basic looking US site, that gives you prices in dollars, but it works for the UK, so put in how many nights you need, a location, radius and date range, and it tells you the cheapest options. It works for Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt
That’s quite brilliant, I just tried it and it came up with my local Hampton by Hilton at $87 for the cheapest night in April (I assume the rate translates correctly to £ when you check with Hilton).
I’ve not checked the rates much as I usually use a work rate, but looking at it now, it seems to get the hotels direction-ally right, but is almost (but not quite) displaying the GBP rate with a dollar sign. There also seems to be some price caching too when you click through. It says the two nights at the Courtyard LCY is $90 pn when it is £89 and the Moxy LCY is $86 when it is £82
Not prefect but a useful place to start!
It’s likely to be showing the US prices ex VAT. $86*1.2 /1.26 is very close. The other is slightly out
I’ve got burnt in the past doing this and Marriott took no sympathy at all . Account closed and got a call from someone at Marriott expressing that selling and infact buying such product was against their terms . They were very stroppy indeed , next day listing on eBay was removed and they were no longer a reg user.
Ouch! OK I will probably stay clear of using eBay or these other sites.
Pretty cool site…thanks for this.
Looks like I’ve got to try and obtain Platinum status “the honest” way.
Would you guys who have Platinum status already say its worth £650. This is how much I’d have to pay with mattress runs minus the £400 breakfast (£65 per night x 16 nights – £400 free breakfast)
I think I’m leaning towards just sticking with the gold and paying the £400 breakfast
Switch to a Hilton Maldives property and rely on Hilton Gold for free breakfasts?
Want to go to the marriott so I can spend my points I’ve accumulated so Hiltons a no go I’m afraid
@Killak You are than welcome!
If you are only going to used that status for the stay in that Marriott in the Maldives, then it is very marginal. I’d take a look on Flyertalk for the resorts’s chat page to see how they treat elites. I pushed some stays to Marriott to get to Platinum before i went to the W Maldives and it was definitely worth it with the upgrades, breakfast and Elite recognition events, but I wasn’t starting from scratch.
Having said that, once you are back from the Maldives, if you make use of the 5 nightly awards, and use the points for some other stays, then you will definitely save more than £650. I can think of 5 times off the top of my head that I’ve gotten upgrades, or had redemption that were worth or saved me £650 each!
I’ve got burnt in the past doing this and Marriott took no sympathy at all . Account closed and got a call from someone at Marriott expressing that selling and infact buying such product was against their terms . They were very stroppy indeed , next day listing on eBay was removed and they were no longer a reg user.
Ouch! OK I will probably stay clear of using eBay or these other sites.
Pretty cool site…thanks for this.
Looks like I’ve got to try and obtain Platinum status “the honest” way.
Would you guys who have Platinum status already say its worth £650. This is how much I’d have to pay with mattress runs minus the £400 breakfast (£65 per night x 16 nights – £400 free breakfast)
I think I’m leaning towards just sticking with the gold and paying the £400 breakfast
I wouldn’t bother if you’re only going to use the status in the Maldives – you would be lucky to break even. If you would make use of it over the next 20-23 months that you’d have status for then it might be worthwhile.
But from the other angle, can you afford the £1k? If it’s pocket change that you wouldn’t miss then go for it. If you won’t be able to afford drinks or dinner in the Maldives because you’ve spent that £1k then don’t!
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