AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers
No matter where you are in the world or where you're going, there's a high chance a Marriott property sits within a stone's throw. Marriott also features a valuable rewards program called Marriott Bonvoy, offering unique benefits to make your stay more than comfortable.
Now, there's a lot to love about Marriott Bonvoy as a whole, but there's even more to love about its upper-mid-level Platinum Elite status: increased points earning on stays, complimentary room upgrades, welcome benefits, and more. It's also surprisingly attainable — even for the casual Marriott visitor.
Here's why Platinum Elite is Marriott's elite status sweet spot and how you can earn it easily.
Page Contents
Marriott Platinum Benefits
Marriott's Platinum Elite status begins to shine when you look under the hood at the perks, which are noticeably better than those that come with lower-tier Silver and Gold status. There is another tier above Platinum Elite called Titanium Elite, but the best bang for your buck is right here.
Platinum Elites can enjoy a variety of benefits, including:
50% more points on stays
Platinum Elite members will earn a 50% bonus on all Bonvoy points earned on eligible hotel purchases, including room rates, dining, spa packages, and other incidentals. This is a 25% increase over what you'd otherwise earn with Gold Elite status.
At a majority of Marriott properties across the globe, you'll earn 10 points per dollar, meaning that your Platinum bump gets you 15 points per dollar. Some brands — like Residence Inn and Element — earn fewer miles per dollar, but you'll still earn a 50% boost on those stays no matter what.
Complimentary room upgrades
Platinum Elite status holders are eligible for room upgrades — including suites, subject to availability. This is the lowest tier of Marriott elite status that qualifies for suite upgrades at check-in.
PRO TIP: It is entirely possible for these rooms to be assigned before check in. So, as a best practice, I call ahead or message the hotel via the Marriott app and let them know what kind of upgrade I'm looking for. Check to see what rooms are for sale in the app and when you arrive, ask to be assigned to one of those rooms.
Welcome gifts
Depending on the brand you stay with, you'll have a choice of complimentary breakfast, additional points, or other amenities to enjoy throughout your stay.
Let's spare a moment here to talk about breakfast. While the benefits of a complimentary breakfast sounds good on paper, there are plenty of restrictions. Certain brands such as EDITION, Design Hotels and Ritz Carlton don't offer free breakfast. While many properties will offer a full breakfast, brands such as AC Hotels, Courtyard and Moxy only offer a voucher for a discount off the cost of breakfast.
Traveling internationally is a different bag, considering that many international hotels will treat elite members even better. As an example, we checked into the Home Hotel Zurich, a Member of Design Hotels and were granted a free breakfast. When I asked why, they let us know that they always like to treat their Platinum members and above to a free breakfast.
Annual choice benefit
Upon reaching 50 elite night credits, Platinum Elite members can choose from a selection of benefits, including:
- Five Nightly Upgrade Awards
- Five Elite Night Credits
- $1,000 off a Marriott-branded bed
- The ability to gift Silver Elite status to a friend or family member
- A $100 charity donation to World Wildlife Fund, Anne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund or UNICEF.
Related: Marriott Annual Choice Benefit Options and Deadline
4 p.m late check-out
A late checkout can be your best friend if you've got an evening flight. Platinum Elite members can take advantage of a 4 p.m. checkout at Marriott resorts and convention hotels — subject to availability.
One call out is that this is not available at “resort hotels,” and that term is encompassing more and more properties across the world. Once you make your reservation, I'd recommend going back and calling or texting the hotel to ask for that late checkout as soon as possible. Exceptions may apply, so always remember to be nice when asking for your extension.
Lounge access
Marriott M Club lounges are available at select Marriott properties worldwide. As a Platinum Elite member, you and one additional guest can enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast, snacks throughout the day, evening appetizers, and sometimes even cocktails in the lounge. Just note that what you get can vary from lounge to lounge.
Ancillary Marriott benefits
Aside from the headline benefits, Platinum Elite members can also take advantage of:
- In-room Wi-Fi: It's completely free.
- The Ultimate Reservation Guarantee: Marriott will pay for you to stay elsewhere and compensate you if your hotel can't honor your reservation for any reason.
- Exclusive member rates: Save by booking via the Marriott app or website.
- Mobile check-in and checkout: Made possible by using your phone as your room key.
- Book with Cash + Points: Paying for your room with both means stays for as little as $55 plus 3,500 points.
- Instant redemption: Automatically use your Bonvoy points for things you'd charge to your room on a stay.
How To Get Marriott Platinum Status
One way to earn Marriott Platinum Elite is by staying 50 nights per year in a Marriott property. After reaching this threshold, you'll automatically be awarded Platinum Elite.
But for those who want the status and can't afford to spend that many nights in a Marriott-branded bed, there are a few other ways to expedite your track to status.
Related: Strategies To Reach Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Automatically earn Marriott Platinum by carrying one card
Marriott's most premium co-branded credit card is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. This card charges a hefty annual fee of $650 (Rates & Fees). Seeing the glass as half full, this card unlocks complimentary Platinum Elite status for $650 — plus a host of other Marriott and travel-related benefits.
Do note that while you'll receive complimentary Platinum Elite status each year, you still need to reach 50 qualifying nights to get an Annual Choice Benefit each year.
- Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when the stay is booked with a Qualifying Rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy, subject to availability upon check-in.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- With Cell Phone Protection*, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. *Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card full review
Earn up to 40 Elite Night Credits with a Marriott credit card combo
Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 40 Elite Night Credits by carrying two Marriott credit cards: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card plus the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card already unlocks Platinum Elite status on its own — plus, this card combo isn't cheap.
So, instead of staying 50 nights in a Marriott property or carrying an ultra-premium credit card, you can earn 30 of the 50 requisite nights for Platinum Elite by holding the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card plus one of three Marriott consumer cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
Each of these cards offers 15 Elite Night Credits, meaning this card combo leaves you just 20 nights to qualify for Platinum Elite — a far more attainable goal for some than staying 50 nights outright.
Just keep in mind that the maximum number of elite night credits you can earn from consumer credit cards is 15. You won't earn additional nights if you have two personal Marriott credit cards. That's why you'll also need to combine a personal card with the 15 nights from the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card for a total of 30 towards Platinum Elite status.
Related: Making Sense of the Marriott Bonvoy Co-Branded Credit Card Options
What Is the Marriott Platinum Elite Phone Number?
Another perk of Marriott Platinum Elite status is access to dedicated Elite Support. Platinum Elites and higher can take advantage of shorter wait times when reaching out to Marriott via phone. It's the small things that'll make you feel special, and this is definitely one of those small things.
To reach Marriott's Elite Support line, dial 800-228-2100. If you don't have Platinum status and try and sneak in via this number, however, you will be routed to the normal support line.
Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Requalifying for status year after year is no small task. Keeping up with the number of Elite Nights you've earned is another task in and of itself. But at what point do you no longer have to worry about requalification?
For Lifetime Platinum Elite, the answer is after 600 qualifying nights and 10 years as a Platinum Elite or higher.
The easiest way to track your path to Lifetime Platinum is in the Marriott app. Select “account” in the bottom right corner of the screen, and tap the “View Progress” arrow next to the Lifetime Status header. It's worth mentioning that you'll have the status, but you'll still need the 50 nights each year to qualify for an annual choice benefit.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Marriott Lifetime Status
Is It Worth Earning Marriott Platinum Elite Status?
Here are the top three reasons it's worth earning Marriott Platinum Elite status.
Breakfast is on the house if you've got Marriott Platinum Elite
On its own, breakfast isn't enough of a reason to go out of your way to stay 50 nights — or pay a hefty annual fee — for hotel elite status. But when you think in terms of numbers, the perk of having elite status begins to tip the financial scale.
Whether traveling alone or with a family, breakfast costs can add up quickly — and more so the more often you travel. Platinum Elites won't have to worry about the breakfast cost; everything's on the house — except for the tip. You won't get this benefit with Gold or Silver Elite.
Some properties may limit the amount of the breakfast benefit or the offerings, so if you have questions about the specific type of breakfast offered to elites at your property, make sure to give them a call ahead of time.
Complimentary upgrades plus Nightly Upgrade Awards mean more space for less
As a perk of being a Platinum Elite member, you'll have access to space-available upgrades upon arrival at a Marriott property. Upgrades are never guaranteed, but they're a surefire way to make your next stay more comfortable if they do.
Additionally, after reaching 50 qualifying nights, one of Platinum Elite's perks is choosing an Annual Choice benefit. And if you use this benefit to pick five Nightly Upgrade Awards (formerly Suite Night Awards), you can apply your upgrades to an eligible reservation to bump yourself up to a more premium room, possibly even a suite — even if you paid for a standard room with points or cash.
Earn your next free night sooner with the 50% point-earning bonus
Platinum Elites earn 50% more points on stays than general members, so you'll rack up Bonvoy points quickly. And more Bonvoy points means more award nights — which could go towards a free night (or two) at a jaw-dropping destination like the St. Regis Bora Bora.
There are plenty of unique uses of Bonvoy points, and earning more of them can easily offset the cost of a future vacation — even to some of Earth's most incredible places that you might never visit if you had to pay the cash rate for the hotel.
Final Thoughts
Marriott Platinum Elite status can be a valuable tool for making your next Marriott stay more comfortable, rewarding, and affordable. If you can swing it, it's worth the effort. And, by utilizing cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and/or Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, the effort is probably less than what you previously thought.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
