So I just found out about the Platinum Elite for life program.
Qualifications are:
Emeritus Platinum status is offered after the following qualifications are met:
Guest has been a member of Marriott Rewards program for 12 years, with at least one year at Platinum Elite.
Guest has stayed 1,000 nights over the history of the Marriott Rewards account.
2,000,000 total points earned during the history of the account.
So I find myself having all of this EXCEPT the 12 years of membership (I'm only at 10 1/2). What I don't understand is why this is even a requirement. I've done all the hard stuff to prove my loyalty and could literally stop staying in Marriotts and get my lifetime Platinum status (which is awesome thank you). It sure would be better if I could get it now. I've dropped to Gold(after 9 straight years of Platinum and Platinum Elite) due to coming off the road for the birth of my child. I'll likely make Platinum before the end of this year (only missed it by a couple of days last year) which will carry me through to my lifetime status but if I miss it again by a few nights I'll be uber dissappointed.
Can someone explain to me the thinking of the 12 year requirement?