If I use my American Express platinum card to get automatic gold delete status with the Marriott Bonvoy program. Then I spend 25 nights at hotels throughout the year. Do I end up becoming platinum or am I still required to spend 50 nights in order to gain platinum status?

New to the points game and frankly I don't travel enough to really maximize anyway (usually 4-8 trips/year for 4-10 days at a time). But could anyone explain how to figure out whoch card is best to use for a particular stay? Im trying to figure out whether its better to use my Amex Platinum or Marriott Boundless card for a stay at a Marriott property (Ritz Carlton) and I'm not totally sure how to check for the amount of points I'd get in either case, bonuses, etc. TIA.

Hello, I couldn’t phrase this well enough in the search so I apologize if it’s been repeatedly answered:

If I’m gold elite via Amex plat, will signing up for two other credit cards and receiving 30 extra nights put me at platinum automatically? If so, will signing up at this point in the year allow me platinum until Dec 31 only or will it continue into the better part of 2024?

My confusion lies in that my app shows 0 nights stayed for example while I am gold elite status via Amex. Is it 25 more nights to platinum or 50?

Is there any downside to booking through AMEX versus through Marriott Bonvoy with my status? I would think since I gained status through AMEX to begin with, that Marriott properties would honor my benefits no matter what system I booked through.

I.e. Looking to book for a night in Maui (first night before week at a villa), we but need late checkout time honored through my Bonvoy status because my check in at the villa is 4pm. AMEX is $650 per night; Marriott's website is $787.