Reader K.D. is a lifetime Gold member who lost his Platinum status in 2020. Gold isn't worth much in the Marriott Bonvoy program - 2 p.m. late checkout and avoid the worst room on property over the HVAC more or less.

Platinum status gets club lounge access (though not at legacy Marriott brand resorts) or breakfast, and the occasional upgrade, as well as 4 p.m. late checkout. So he decided to ask Marriott if they'd give him back his status. They said yes.

You might think, how valuable is Platinum status right now when you aren't traveling?

You may be able to use it this summer, and into the fall. And perhaps more importantly Marriott is extending current elite status for next year. So presumably he'll keep Platinum status for 2021 as well.

An interesting data point, one that may not be replicable, but worth always remember that you don't get if you do not ask.

tag