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The end of the year is almost here, which means the Marriott elite status you earned in 2023 will expire — unless you re-qualify by December 31, 2024. Not going to pull off requalification? Marriott's seemingly permanent “soft landing” policy will come in handy.
So, what is Marriott's soft landing policy? And are there any last-minute strategies you can use so you don't need to bank on a soft landing? Here's what Marriott Bonvoy elites need to know.
How Does Marriott’s Soft Landing Policy Work?
For next year — and likely the years after that — Marriott Bonvoy is throwing a bone to elite members who don't re-qualify for their same elite status level. Instead of only getting the elite status tier earned from stays in 2024, members will “soft land” at one elite status tier below their current level.
This means that if you don't re-qualify for the tier you have in 2024, you'll enjoy the next tier down through February 2026. It's a huge get if you cannot collect the Marriott Elite Night Credits necessary to keep your current status.
Better yet, this applies to almost all Marriott Bonvoy elites — not just top-tier status holders. Here's a breakdown of how this policy will apply program-wide:
- Ambassador Elites who don't re-qualify in 2024 will drop to Titanium Elite through February 2026.
- Titanium Elites who don't re-qualify in 2024 will drop to Platinum Elite through February 2026.
- Platinum Elites who don't re-qualify in 2024 will drop to Gold Elite through February 2026.
- Gold Elites who don't re-qualify in 2024 will drop to Silver Elite through February 2026.
And it makes sense because a benefit like this is a way to incentivize your most loyal members to keep coming back. Dropping someone from top-tier elite to a general member (a “hard landing”) is much more harsh than dropping down a single level.
Related: Marriott Lifetime Elite Status: What You Need to Earn It and the Perks It Yields
Last-Minute Strategies To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Marriott's soft landing policy is valuable. But hopefully, you won't need to rely on it. Marriott makes it very easy to earn Elite Night Credits through its lineup of credit cards, so this can be a tool to get you over the edge if you fear falling short of requalification.
You can earn up to 15 Elite Night Credits depending on the card you apply for. If you're close to the threshold to re-qualify, it's worth considering how a co-branded card can help you out.
Plus, this strategy can also help you out going forward, too. The Elite Night Credits from Marriott credit cards aren't a one-time benefit; you'll get them annually. If you play your cards right, you can start with up to 40 Elite Night Credits each year. That's an easy way to put a dent in re-qualifying without much effort.
Alternatively, two cards offer cardmembers complimentary Gold Elite Status: The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You'll get Gold Elite as long as you keep your Amex account open, which means you don't have to worry about re-qualifying every year. It's a stress-free way to keep the status year in and year out. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
No matter which way you spin it, there are a few ways to earn Elite Night Credits to avoid having to leverage Marriott's soft landing policy.
Related: Marriott Credit Card Options: Which Is Best For You?
Our Take
If you don't re-qualify for Marriott elite status in 2024, rest assured you'll remain among the Marriott elite even past February 2025. The only exception to this is if you currently hold Silver Elite status, as the soft landing policy only applies to mid and upper-tier Marriott Bonvoy elites.
However, if you've found value in your current elite status, it's worth taking the steps to re-qualify for next year. You still have time to make it happen! Marriott's credit card lineup makes it easy to earn a bundle of qualifying nights with little effort. And it goes without saying that a Marriott card can make each stay more rewarding as it is — so don't discount how such a card could offer long-term benefits.
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