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Update: This change in how you earn elite status through Marriott credit cards has taken effect. All eligible cardholders now earn Bonvoy elite status based on a calendar year, instead of a cardholder year.
Here’s a quick heads up regarding an upcoming change for those with Marriott and Ritz-Carlton credit cards. The way in which you earn elite status through credit card spend is set to change. Luckily, this is only a minor change. Here's what will change starting in 2022/2023.
You’ll Now Earn Status Based on Calendar Year
When we said this change was minor, we meant it. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton credit cards will now track status earning based on spending in the calendar year. Previously, cardholders earned status based on spending in the cardmember year.
To clear up any confusion, cardholders previously obtained Bonvoy Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 during their cardmember year. Bonvoy Platinum Elite status was obtained when eligible cardholders spent $75,000 during their cardmember year. For example, if you opened an account in June 2020, the net spend from June 2020 to June 2021 counted towards your elite status qualifying spend.
This is set to change — but over a transitional period of time. Here are the two options cardholders have for earning Marriott elite status through December 31, 2023:
- Spending the required amount from your account open anniversary date in 2021 through your account open anniversary date in 2022.
- Spending the required amount from January 1 to December 31, 2022
Then, beginning January 1, 2023, those with eligible Marriott credit cards will only be able to earn status based on spending in the calendar year. Eligible cardmembers will need to spend $35,000 from January 1 to December 31, 2023 to earn Bonvoy Gold Elite status or spend $75,000 during that same period to earn Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.
Cardholders who are already working on meeting status qualifications for 2023 can continue as normal through 2022. The change to how you earn elite status doesn’t go into effect until January 1, 2023.
As a reminder, here are the Marriott credit cards that allow cardholders to obtain elite status via spending:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Keep in mind that the latter two cards are closed to new applicants.
The Bottom Line
As previously mentioned, this change with Marriott / Ritz-Carlton credit cards is minor. Moreover, this should only impact a select few cardholders. That's because earning status through annual spend is not a great way to maximize value.
Nevertheless, if your Marriott or Ritz-Carlton credit card is the way in which you typically earn status, this change is something to keep in mind. For those interested in learning more about the Marriott Bonvoy program, see our guide here.
Do you earn Bonvoy status through an eligible credit card? What do you make of this change?
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I like this change – much easier to track.
I wonder what prompted the change? It seems a lot of these hotel chains are always changing things around (usually not for the better for its members). But, we will see what the new year brings