Marriott Silver Elite Status: Are the Few Benefits You Get Worth the Cost to Earn Them? Marriott Silver Elite Status: Are the Few Benefits You Get Worth the Cost to Earn Them?

Marriott Silver Elite Status: Are the Few Benefits You Get Worth the Cost to Earn Them?

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Marriott Silver Elite, the first tier of Marriott Bonvoy® status, is very easy to earn and comes with a few benefits, including bonus points and priority late checkout.

With over 9,100 properties around the world, odds are that you've stayed in a Marriott hotel once or twice. Whether you prefer a luxury escape at The Ritz-Carlton, a budget stay at a Fairfield, or an extended stay at a Residence Inn, the portfolio truly has something for everyone.

Earning elite status at a hotel allows you to be rewarded for your loyalty. There are five Marriott status levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador. If you're new to the world of elite status, you might want to focus on a lower tier before pursuing top-tier status.

After all, reaching Ambassador requires you to spend more than 100 nights and $23,000 at Marriott hotels each year. This is daunting and unattainable to newer travelers, but don't lose hope. Lower tiers can offer solid benefits with far less commitment to the brand.

Here's everything you need to know about Marriott Silver Elite benefits, including how to earn it.

What Are the Benefits of Marriott Silver Elite Status?

As a Marriott Silver Elite member, you'll receive a few benefits.

10% bonus points

Silver Elite Marriott members earn 10% bonus points on hotel purchases, including room rates, dining and spa purchases. Bonvoy members with no status earn 10 points per dollar on stays at most Bonvoy hotel brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, and Aloft. Select brands earn less, however — you'll earn 5X points on Residence Inn by Marriott or Four Points Flex by Sheraton stays.

As a Bonvoy Silver Elite member, you'll earn a 10% bonus, so 11X points on most brands and 5.5X points on other brands.

Related: Which Marriott Hotel Brands Earn The Most Points?

Priority late checkout

You'll receive priority late checkout over non-elites, but this isn't guaranteed, and there isn't a publicized late checkout time. For instance, Gold Elite members get a complimentary 2:00 p.m. checkout, subject to availability. Silver Elites only get to “check out a little late.” Every minute counts when you're on vacation, so anything is better than nothing.

Marriott Silver Elite status might get you a late checkout at a fancy hotel like the Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp. Credit: Marriott

Exclusive member rates

As a Marriott Silver Elite member, you'll receive exclusive member rates, along with complimentary Wi-Fi access. Apart from these minor benefits, you won't notice any substantial perks for holding elite status.

How to Get Marriott Silver Elite Status

Marriott Silver Elite status doesn't come with many perks, but it is incredibly easy to earn. You can reach this first tier through hotel stays or by applying for a card that lists elite status as a benefit.

Through stays

You only need to stay at a Marriott property for 10 nights throughout the year to reach Silver Elite status. That means you can take a handful of weekend trips throughout the year — and with so many properties throughout the world, this shouldn't require much planning. If you're a business traveler, it's even easier.

Through credit cards

If you want to go ahead and enjoy the perks of status without having to spend 10 nights in a hotel, you can receive complimentary silver status as a benefit of holding the right Bonvoy credit card:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Welcome Bonus Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Annual Fee$0
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • 3X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains)
  • 1X point on all other purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Welcome Bonus Earn three bonus Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Annual Fee$95
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • Earn 6X Bonvoy points per $1 spent participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, and 2X points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
  • Earn 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Both cards above grant complimentary Silver Elite status for as long as you're a cardholder. However, there are other credit cards that grant a higher tier of Marriott elite status. Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card are excellent options if you want Gold Elite or Platinum Elite status, respectively. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

By signing up for Uber One

If you pay for an annual Uber One membership (currently $96), you can unlock Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. All you need to do is link your Uber and Marriott accounts, and as long as your Uber account has an active, qualifying annual subscription, your Marriott Bonvoy account will automatically be upgraded. You’ll keep the status as long as the accounts remain linked.

Can You Earn Silver Elite Marriott Status for Life?

Yes, you can earn Marriott Silver Elite status for life by staying 250 qualifying nights and spending at least five years as a Silver Elite member. Earning Marriott Bonvoy lifetime status is not for the faint of heart, and it's a time consuming process to reach the higher and more rewarding levels. However, if you love staying at Marriott properties when you go on vacation, you might be closer than you think.

Is Marriott Silver Elite Status Worth It?

Should you go out of your way to earn Marriott Silver Elite status? Probably not. If you happen to earn it, will you notice a marked improvement throughout your stay? Again, probably not. That said, it's incredibly easy to earn, especially through a co-branded credit card. The Marriott Boundless has an annual fee of just $95 and comes with a great earning potential — 6X Bonvoy points per $1 spent participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, and 2X points per $1 on all other purchases. Earning Silver Elite status is just one benefit of many of being a cardholder. 

In that regard, it's worth earning Marriott Silver Elite status, even if you only stay at a Marriott a few times per year. Plus, unless you opt for a co-branded credit card that gives you a higher tier of status, you have to earn Silver Elite before you can earn Gold or Platinum Elite.

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. Credit: Marriott

Final Thoughts

Don't expect to be treated like royalty when you are a Marriott Silver Elite member. As long as you have the proper expectations, you'll enjoy your limited benefits, and can work your way toward a higher status tier. If you're saving up points for your next redemption, the opportunity to earn bonus points on stays is always welcome.

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