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Earning elite status with a hotel program usually comes down to one thing: how many nights you stay each year. That’s generally true for Marriott Bonvoy, where your progress toward elite status is tracked using Elite Night Credits.
Elite Night Credits aren’t just earned from hotel stays, though. Between credit cards, promotions, and even meetings and events, there are multiple ways to build your elite-night balance — sometimes much faster than you might expect. Understanding how these credits work (and where the exceptions are) can make a meaningful difference in how quickly you reach Marriott Platinum Elite (or beyond).
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what Marriott Elite Night Credits are, how you earn them, and how to put together a smarter strategy to reach your desired Bonvoy status tier.
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What Are Marriott Elite Night Credits?
Marriott Elite Night Credits are the metrics used to calculate your status level with Marriott Bonvoy. Essentially, you earn one Elite Night Credit per night stayed at most Marriott properties (with some caveats discussed below). Both cash stays and award stays — which include points + cash stays — will earn Elite Night Credits. You also can earn Elite Night Credits by holding Marriott credit cards and even through spending on one of them.
By staying in Marriott properties, holding Marriott credit cards, and even reserving blocks of rooms for events at Marriott properties, you can quickly earn the level of Marriott Bonvoy status that's right for you.
Related: How to Earn Marriott Elite Night Credits Without Booking Hotels Stays
How Many Elite Night Credits Do I Need to Get Marriott Bonvoy Status?
Marriott offers five tiers of Bonvoy elite status. The first four solely require earning enough Elite Night Credits. It's only when you get to top-tier Ambassador Elite status where Marriott adds a spending requirement:
- Silver Elite: 10 Elite Night Credits per year
- Gold Elite: 25 Elite Night Credits per year
- Platinum Elite: 50 Elite Night Credits per year
- Titanium Elite: 75 Elite Night Credits per year
- Ambassador Elite: 100 Elite Night Credits, plus $23,000 in qualifying spending per year
Once you reach 50 Elite Night Credits for the year, Marriott allows you to choose an Annual Choice Benefit for reaching that milestone. One gift is an extra five Elite Night Credits. If you choose this, you can quickly reach 55 Elite Night Credits, getting you closer to the 75 needed for Titanium Elite.
You can also choose five free Elite Night Credits upon reaching 75 Elite Night Credits for the year, although the 40k free night award will probably be a better gift at this milestone. The extra 5 Elite Night Credits will only help if you've got the spending required for Ambassador Elite or this close to the nights needed for Marriott Bonvoy lifetime elite status. However, Marriott no longer offers Lifetime Titanium Elite status; lifetime status tops out at Platinum.
Earning Elite Night Credits From Stays at Marriott Properties
Generally, Marriott Bonvoy members earn one Elite Night Credit per night stayed at a participating Marriott property. However, that's not the case with all Marriott hotel brands.
Brands with reduced Elite Night Credits
The following Marriott brands offer 0.5 Elite Night Credits per night stayed:
- City Express
- Four Points Flex
- Protea Hotels
- Series by Marriott
It's even worse at Marriott Executive Apartments, where travelers earn one Elite Night Credit for every three nights stayed. Even worse, these earnings are rounded down, so you'd only earn 1 Elite Night Credit for a five-night stay!
Finally, StudioRes does not offer any Elite Night Credits at all.
Related: How Marriott's StudioRes Brand Will Barely Participate in Bonvoy
Elite Night Credit promotions
Marriott often gives Bonvoy members opportunities to earn extra Elite Night Credits. For example, at the start of each calendar year, Marriott has offered a promotion in which cash stays earn 1 extra Elite Night Credit per night — although we haven't seen such a promotion so far in 2026. These promotions are strictly for paid stays. Points stays — or points + cash stays — are typically excluded.
You can find a list of all current Marriott promotions here.
Earning Elite Night Credits From Credit Cards
There are a slew of Marriott credit cards — some issued by Chase and others by Amex. Keeping one or more in your wallet can automatically earn you up to 40 bonus Elite Night Credits every year.
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card gives Bonvoy members 25 Elite Night Credits each year (plus automatic Platinum Elite status)
- Marriott's other personal credit cards offer 15 Elite Night Credits per year, except for one…
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card comes with just 5 Elite Night Credits (plus automatic Bonvoy Silver status)
Stacking Elite Night Credits from multiple cards
Marriott lets members stack Elite Night Credits from up to one personal and up to one business card. If you open two personal Marriott cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, you will only receive 15 Elite Night Credits — not 30.
That means the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is key to maximizing the Elite Night Credits you can earn from credit cards. This card earns 15 Elite Night Credits per year. So, if you open a Marriott personal card and a business card — like the Marriott Boundless and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card — you will receive 30 Elite Night Credits.
- WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
- Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
- 6x points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
- Terms apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy® points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x Marriott Bonvoy® points on each dollar of eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
- 2x Marriott Bonvoy® points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
If you can afford a higher annual fee, opening the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card with the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card will net you 40 Elite Night Credits per year.
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- A Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Earning Elite Night Credits from card spending
The Marriott Boundless earns one Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 spent on the card. However, there are better perks on cards for everyday spending and easier ways to accrue Elite Night Credits, so we generally recommend avoiding this tactic.
- Our best offer is back and better than ever! Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
- 2026 Exclusive Offer: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC
- 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3X points for every $1 spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Earning Elite Night Credits From Meetings and Events
When you book meetings and events at Marriott properties, you can also earn one Elite Night Credit for every 20 room nights booked at a hotel (up to 20 Elite Night Credits per event). If you are planning a conference or a wedding, this is another great way of achieving your Marriott status goals.
Bottom Line
Marriott Elite Night Credits are the primary metric for earning Bonvoy status, and earning them is more flexible than many travelers realize. Between hotel stays, credit cards, promotions, and even meetings and events, there are several ways to move the needle — without needing to spend 50+ nights on the road.
That said, not all Marriott brands are created equal when it comes to elite night earnings. Some properties award reduced credits, while others offer none at all, which makes it especially important to understand where your nights actually count. Choosing the right hotels — and pairing them with the right credit card setup — can dramatically speed up your progress.
If elite status is a priority, the best approach is a deliberate one: Stack a personal and business Marriott card where it makes sense, register for promotions early, and be mindful of brands that dilute your earnings. With a thoughtful strategy, you can earn meaningful Bonvoy status faster — and with fewer nights than you might expect.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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