Due to the impact of COVID-19, Alibaba has extended the challenge period for its Marriott Platinum challenge offers. On top of the original 120 days, an extra 90 days has been added, for a total of 210 days. This includes both the Fliggy F3 Platinum trial + challenge and the Taobao 88vip Platinum challenge, and both still require only 8 nights. For more details on the challenge itself, see the author’s earlier post:

This extension has probably been around for a while already. With the pandemic situation in China improving, my guess is that it may end before long, so register soon if you need it. Challenge periods for other hotel programs on Fliggy have also been extended, but Marriott is the best deal here.

Here’s a quick summary of the core details of the two challenges:

Fliggy F3 Platinum trial + challenge

210-day Platinum trial + 210-day Platinum challenge, requiring only 8 paid nights

  • You must register a new Marriott account through Fliggy (a Marriott account registered on or after October 1, 2019)
  • After applying for the challenge, you immediately receive Platinum trial benefits (you complete the challenge as a Platinum member), and Platinum status should appear in your account within 24h after registration
  • After successfully completing the challenge, you keep Platinum status for one year

Taobao 88vip Platinum challenge

210-day Platinum challenge, requiring only 8 paid nights (your status is Gold, so there are no Platinum trial benefits)

  • You must register a new Marriott account through Fliggy (a Marriott account registered on or after October 1, 2019)
  • After applying for the challenge, you will only have Gold status
  • After successfully completing the challenge, you keep Platinum status for one year

The official extension language for the trial and challenge is shown below. See the official Terms for specifics:

For Marriott Bonvoy members who joined on or after October 1, 2019 through Fliggy, Tmall, or Taobao, the validity period of the Gold challenge, Platinum challenge, or Platinum trial offer in which they are participating will be extended by 90 days.

Some notes and suggestions

  • The Fliggy F3 challenge is extremely strong: you get a full 210 days of Platinum trial benefits, and the challenge itself takes only 8 nights.
  • Taobao 88vip can simply be purchased with money, and even at the highest price it is only 888 yuan, which is not expensive.
  • Whether through Fliggy or Taobao, the account is system-generated. After completing the challenge, you can merge it into your old account—just don’t do this too often or too aggressively.
  • After getting a new account through Fliggy or Taobao, you can try calling US customer service to manually request the stay-two-get-one reward.
  • Don’t forget that Marriott’s previous 20% off gift cards and 15% off gift cards could be used toward the Platinum challenge, and gift card spending counts as a paid stay.
  • Also don’t forget that Marriott’s quarterly promotion this quarter is 2500 points per paid stay, with no cap.
  • For readers in China who are interested, this is the best time to do it.