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Attention hotel elite status aficionados: Marriott just announced the return of its Marriott elite status match program! Marriott Bonvoy members holding elite status in select competitor programs can match their status to Marriott. Then, complete a Marriott status challenge to extend that elite status through February 2022.
If you're interested, jump on this quickly. Depending on how many people register, Marriott may end this promotion at any time.
How the Marriott Status Match Works
Marriott Bonvoy members can check their eligibility for this status match and register here.
To start the process, Marriott Bonvoy members must upload proof of (1) reciprocal status with one of the four eligible programs; (2) at least one stay with that program in the prior 12 months before registration. Marriott will then make an eligibility determination — which may take a few days.
Once approved, Bonvoy members receive the status they're challenging for (Bonvoy Gold Elite or Platinum Elite). Members then have 90 days to complete an elite status challenge to retain that elite status through February 2022.
To earn and retain Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, members must stay 5 nights within 90 days of registration. To earn and retain Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, members must stay 15 nights within 90 days of registration. If the Marriott status challenge is completed, it counts towards Marriott Lifetime Elite Status.
There is no set end date for this Marriott status match promotion. However, Marriott advises that members register soon, as the number of registrations will determine how long this promotion lasts.
Match Your Status From These Eligible Programs
Hilton Honors
- Current Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members can challenge for Marriott Platinum status.
World of Hyatt
- Current World of Hyatt Explorists can challenge for Marriott Gold status.
- Current World of Hyatt Globalists can challenge for Marriott Platinum status.
Accor Live Limitless
- Current Accor Gold Elites can challenge for Marriott Gold status.
- Current Accor Platinum or Diamond Elites can challenge for Marriott Platinum status.
IHG Rewards Club
- Current IHG Platinum or Spire elites can challenge for Marriott Platinum status.
Our Thoughts
It's great that Marriott has brought back its elite status match and challenge. Hotel status can be undeniably valuable as it can provide benefits like room upgrades, late checkouts, and enhanced customer service. Moreover, status challenges like this present a unique shortcut to these heightened hotel experiences. For example, earning Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status typically requires staying 25 nights, whereas Platinum usually requires 50 nights.
However, I do have a couple of hangups.
For one thing, as a (proud) Hyatt Explorist, I feel a little put-out. I earned my Hyatt status through a combination of stays and spending on my The World of Hyatt Credit Card. Meanwhile, IHG and Hilton elites could have their status simply by holding the right credit card. Why should they be afforded the opportunity to challenge for Marriott Platinum when Hyatt Explorists can only challenge for Marriott Gold?
Second, the number of nights required to retain status through this challenge seems a bit arbitrary. Earning Marriott's Platinum Elite status usually requires double the nights of earning Gold Elite status (50 nights vs. 25). However, as part of this Marriott status challenge, you have to stay triple the number of nights to retain Platinum Elite status (15) compared to Gold Elite (5).
Ultimately, though, this is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in Bonvoy status with plans to stay at a Marriott in the near future. If you can, certainly try for Bonvoy Platinum, as the difference in benefits between Gold and Platinum is fairly significant.
Do you plan to take advantage of this Marriott status match promotion?
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