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Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefits are perks awarded to members once they reach 50 Elite Nights Credits. From free night awards to suite upgrades, these perks can take your travel experience to the next level — potentially making a big difference in your Marriott stays.
In this guide, we'll explore Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefits, how to select your choice benefit, and how to make the most of them. Whether a business or a leisure traveler, these benefits will surely make your next trip a little sweeter. So, let's dive in!
Page Contents
What is a Marriott Annual Choice Benefit?
One of the best perks of Marriott Bonvoy elite status is an Annual Choice Benefit after reaching 50 and 75 qualifying nights. Members get to choose the perk that suits them best — unlike other elite benefits. Remember that you can start the year with 40 elite nights. So, hitting 50 nights could be fairly easy if you hold the right credit cards.
Marriott Annual Choice Benefits are just one of many perks of Marriott's top elite status. Beyond the prospect of suite upgrades, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members also get 4 p.m. late checkout, lounge access, and complimentary breakfast at many brands.
Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefit Options
Once you hit 50 Elite Night Credits, you can choose from the following benefits:
- Get 5 Suite Night Awards to redeem for upgrades to suites and premium rooms.
- Promotional code for a $1,000 discount off the purchase of a bed from any Marriott Bonvoy retail brand.
- Gift Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status to a family member, friend, or colleague.
- $100 charity donation to UNICEF, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), or the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund.
- Add 5 Elite Night Credits to your 2023 total.
After hitting 75 qualifying nights, members can choose an additional benefit from the list above or these other options:
- One Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points.
- Gift Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status to a family member or friend.
How to Select Your Annual Choice Benefit
Once you reach 50 or 75 elite nights, you should receive an email from Marriott. But you don't have to wait for that email. If you’ve reached 50 or 75 elite nights and can’t find the email, simply click on this link to select Choice Benefits.
After logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account, you'll see all of your redemption options — and details of each option.
After selecting an option on that screen and clicking Next Step, Marriott will take you to a verification page. Before you can confirm your choice, Marriott will make you verify that your contact information is updated, confirm that you understand your selection is final, and agree to the terms and conditions.
What is the Deadline for Choosing a Marriott Annual Choice Benefit?
For elite nights earned during the 2023 calendar year, the deadline to pick your Marriott Annual Choice benefit is January 7, 2024.
If you forget to make a selection, this benefit isn't lost. Members who fail to choose by the deadline automatically receive the Suite Night Awards by default. So, Platinum Elite members who forget to choose their Annual Choice Benefits will receive 5 Suite Night Awards. And Titanium Elite members who fail to select either benefit will get a total of 10 Suite Night Awards.
Remember that choices made — either by default or by the member — are final and can't be changed.
Which Marriott Annual Choice Benefit is Best?
In short, the best Marriott Annual Choice Benefit depends on your travel style.
Each Suite Night Award provides a one-night confirmable upgrade to a standard suite or premium room. But, whether these upgrades are cleared is highly dependent on the property. Some people have had better luck with their Suite Night Awardss clearing outside the U.S. For most Platinum Elite members who travel abroad, it could make the most sense to choose the Suite Night Awards as they can unlock tremendous value.
Last year, I submitted a Suite Night Award at the St. Regis Rome, which cleared an upgrade to one of their best suites. I booked a standard room using an 85k Free Night Award I earned as part of a welcome offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. And I was upgraded to the St. Regis Suite five days before check-in.
I also had two Suite Night Awards clear at Le Méridien Stuttgart when I was there last year for Cannstatter Volksfest (Oktoberfest). I booked a standard 1 King room for two nights at a nightly rate of 273 euros. My Suite Night Award cleared for a Junior Suite, which was selling at a nightly rate of 763 euros — giving me 490 euros per night in value!
The Free Night Award is likely the best choice for elite members who reach 75 Elite Night Credits and might not have overseas trips planned soon.
These Annual Choice Benefits add to the value of Marriott's elite status — particularly the Suite Night Awards and Free Night Award certificate.
Niche-Value Options (Elite Night Credits, Mattress Discount)
It's important to note that the Elite Night Credits are applied to your 2023 total. So, this only makes sense for Platinum Elites to choose if you finish the year with 70-74 qualifying nights. That way, you'll be bumped up to Titanium Elite and get another choice — in addition to better elite status for 2024. Opting for the Elite Night Credits for Titanium Elite members only makes sense if you meet the $23,000 spending requirement for Ambassador Elite status.
If you're in the market for a new mattress, keep in mind that the $1,000 promotional code for Marriott retail brand beds will not work in conjunction with any other promotions. In addition, the beds range from $1,499 for a Twin bed for brands such as Courtyard and Fairfield to $4,480 for a King bed for brands such as Ritz Carlton and St. Regis.
Bottom Line
Marriott Bonvoy Choice Benefits are a great way for elite members to customize their travel experience with a range of perks. By understanding which Choice Benefits are available and how to use them, you can enhance your travel experience and get the most out of your Marriott Bonvoy stays.
Ultimately, Marriott Bonvoy allows members to choose Annual Choice Benefits from a few options. If you've managed to earn enough Marriott qualifying nights to receive an Annual Choice Benefit, make sure you choose your preferred benefit by January 7, 2024. Otherwise, Marriott will automatically award Suite Night Awards to you.
Which Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefit are you choosing?
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I guess it is a bit of an incentive that Marriott continues to extend the status for members over the past couple of years. However, it seems to me that continuing to do this just inflates the number of people holding status and if the vast majority use these status benefits when booking rooms, then there is a lot less availability for those who hold lifetime status.
I chose exactly as suggested in the article. The suite nights don’t hold a lot of value for me. Though a suite is nice, I don’t need much room and I’ve heard they aren’t always available to book anyway. I can use a free night anywhere.
As a LT Platinum member, I don’t know what to choose. As most, I forget and wind up with Suite Nights…which I rarely , if Ever get. I have used them to upgrade at Swan and Dolphin at Walt Disney World but that’s the exception. Guess I’ll do suite night again..
Appreciate the heads up. I forget this most years but will not be using BONVoY much this upcoming year. Upgrades are to rare when using SNU but I seem to get them at checking. Go figure.
I’m close enough to LT Platinum that I don’t need to chase it but so saying the 5 nights are probably worth more to me that the upgrades.
Every benefit / perk would represent a gamble on 2021. That’s a somber thought
They should “review and revise” the benefits in night of the travel forecast for 2021.
Thanks for the reminder. Always helpful tips! Please keep them coming!
Wish they would honor thier benifits
I did not even get close to 50 qualify the night at Marriott hotels this year.
Deadline is actually ridiculous because some Marriott stays don’t post correctly, and you must wait 10 days before retro-claiming. A late December 50th or 75th night could theoretically only reach your account after the 8th…
The Platinum for the Amex Biz card is only for the first year.
Indeed it is. I added “through January 31, 2022” to clarify that.