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Earning Marriott Bonvoy® elite status can make your stay at Marriott properties more rewarding, with perks like late checkout, suite upgrades, and free breakfast. And there are several shortcuts available, so you don't have to spend dozens of nights to get there.
In this post, we'll show you how to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status and dive deeper into the perks and benefits offered for each tier. You might already have access to unlock Marriott Bonvoy elite status and not even realize it!
How To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Travelers have two ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status. There's the traditional approach — which involves earning enough Elite Night Credits to qualify for status — or you get Marriott status through a premium travel rewards credit card.
Several cards grant Marriott Bonvoy elite status as a cardholder benefit, regardless of how many Elite Night Credits you've earned. We’ll cover both options below, including how many Elite Night Credits you need and which
Reach Marriott Bonvoy elite status by earning Elite Night Credits
You'll earn Elite Night Credits on most eligible paid and award stays with Marriott. Not every stay qualifies, but if you book through Marriott's website, you're pretty much guaranteed to earn elite nights.
However, you generally won't earn Elite Night Credits on:
- Stays booked through third-party sites like Expedia, Priceline, and Hotels.com.
- Group bookings when you don't personally pay for your hotel room.
- Note: The member who makes the group booking can still earn Elite Night Credits on up to 20 rooms each night.
- Stays booked through a tour operator or at a wholesaler rate.
- Rooms booked using certain vouchers or complimentary stay certificates not issued by Marriott Bonvoy.
So, how many Elite Night Credits do you need to earn to reach Marriott Bonvoy elite status? Here's a breakdown by tier:
| Bonvoy Elite Status Tier | Elite Night Credit Requirements (ENCs) |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite status | 10 ENCs in a calendar year |
| Gold Elite status | 25 ENCs in a calendar year |
| Platinum Elite status | 50 ENCs in a calendar year |
| Titanium Elite status | 75 ENCs in a calendar year |
| Ambassador Elite status | 100 ENCs in a calendar year + spend requirements* |
* To earn Ambassador Elite status, members must also meet an eligible spending requirement. In addition to earning at least 100 Elite Night Credits, you'll need $23,000 in qualifying annual Marriott spend.
Related: Award Travelers Guide to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Earn bonus Elite Night Credits with eligible Marriott credit cards
You don't have to earn every Elite Night Credit through hotel stays. Some Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards allow you to earn bonus Elite Night Credits, which count toward elite status qualifications. And some even let you earn additional credits through spending.
Here's what each card offers:
- Cards open to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Receive 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees): Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and earn 1 Elite Night Credit toward elite status for every $5,000 you spend.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (Rates & Fees): Receive 5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Cards closed to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
Marriott allows members to stack Elite Night Credits from certain personal and business credit cards. You can start each year with up to 40 Elite Night Credits by pairing the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
- Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: With the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, you can get up to $25 per month each calendar year in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide when you pay with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- 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®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. 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.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Each calendar year, receive 25 Elite Night Credits towards 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.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,300 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or in-between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $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.
- 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
Get complimentary Marriott elite status with a credit card benefit
Some Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and premium travel rewards credit cards offer Bonvoy elite status as a cardholder perk. Cardholders may have to meet eligible spending requirements depending on the card to reach certain elite status tiers. Other cards feature status as a benefit to justify the card's — generally steeper — annual fee.
Here are the Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards that offer cardholders Marriott Bonvoy elite status or the ability to earn status through eligible spending:
- Cards open to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite status. Earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 in an account year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite status.
- Cards closed to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card: Silver Elite status, receive Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 in an account year.
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card: Silver Elite status, receive Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 in an account year.
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card: Gold Elite status, receive Platinum Elite status when you spend $75,000 in a calendar year.
You can also get complimentary Bonvoy elite status by carrying one of the following two premium cards:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Match your hotel status to Marriott Bonvoy
Already have elite status with another hotel
Marriott doesn't currently publish a general status match offer, but targeted opportunities can become available, so be on the lookout. Check out our full guide to learn more about matching your status to Marriott Bonvoy.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Tiers and Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy offers five elite status tiers above the basic membership level: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite. Benefits become more valuable as you move up the ranks, ranging from bonus points and late checkout to suite upgrades, lounge access, and dedicated Ambassador Service.
Here's an overview of the benefits that come with each Marriott Bonvoy elite status tier:
| Benefit | Member | Silver Elite (10 ENCs) | Gold Elite (25 ENCs) | Platinum Elite (50 ENCs) | Titanium Elite (75 ENCs) | Ambassador Elite (100 ENCs + $23k Spend) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member rates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile check-in/services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Complimentary in-room internet access | Yes | Yes | Yes, enhanced | Yes, enhanced | Yes, enhanced | Yes, enhanced |
| Ultimate Reservation Guarantee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonus points | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 75% | |
| Late checkout (based on availability) | Priority | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 4 p.m. | |
| Welcome gift at check-in (varies by brand) | Points | Points, breakfast, or amenity | Points, breakfast, or amenity | Points, breakfast, or amenity | ||
| Room upgrades | Based on availability | Based on availability, including some suites | Based on availability, including some suites | Based on availability, including some suites | ||
| Dedicated elite support | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Lounge access (including complimentary breakfast in lounge) at hotels with lounges | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Annual Choice Benefit | Earn 50 Elite Night Credits | Earn 75 Elite Night Credits | Annual Choice Benefit at 50 and 75 Elite Night Credits | |||
| 48-hour room guarantee (book by 3 p.m. at least 48 hours before check-in) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Your24 | Yes | |||||
| Ambassador Service | Yes | |||||
| Additional benefits (Car rental and airline partners) | SIXT Gold Card (for non U.S.-based members) | SIXT Platinum Card (for non U.S.-based members) | SIXT Platinum Card (for non U.S.-based members) | Fast-track to Hertz Five Star® status, Emirates priority check-In and boarding | Hertz Five Star® status, United Airlines Premier® Silver status, Emirates Priority Check-In and Boarding | Hertz President's Circle® status, United Airlines Premier® Silver status, Emirates Priority Check-In and Boarding |
Here is a detailed breakdown of Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits by tier:
Member (0–9 nights per year)
You'll receive this tier for simply joining Marriott Bonvoy. Remember to check for any new member bonus offers with any loyalty program when enrolling.
Member benefits include:
- Complimentary in-room internet access
- Access to member rates
- Mobile check-in and services
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent at most brands, plus 1 Elite Night Credit for each night you stay
- Earn 5 points per $1 at Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Element by Westin, Marriott Executive Apartments, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Protea Hotels by Marriott, City Express by Marriott, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Series by Marriott (Outside of the U.S./Canada and Greater China)
- Earn 4 points per $1 at StudioRes
- Receive 0.5 Elite Night Credit per night spent at Protea Hotels by Marriott, City Express by Marriott, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Series by Marriott (Outside of the U.S./Canada and Greater China)
Stays at Residences properties, like JW Residences or Renaissance Residences, don't earn elite nights or points, as properties in these sub-brands do not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Silver Elite (10–24 nights per year)
Earn 10 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year and you'll reach Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. In addition to all Member benefits, Silver Elite members receive:
- 10% points bonus
- Priority late checkout (based on availability)
- Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
Gold Elite (25–49 nights per year)
Earn 25 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year and you'll reach Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. In addition to all Silver Elite benefits, Gold Elite members receive:
- 25% bonus points on stays
- 2 p.m. late checkout (based on availability)
- Enhanced in-room internet
- Gold welcome gift (250 or 500 points, varies by brand)
- Preferred room upgrade (based on availability, does not include suites)
Related: From VIP Pyramid Access to Elite Upgrades: 7 Reasons I Loved Staying at Marriott Mena House in Cairo
Platinum Elite (50–74 nights per year)
Earn 50 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year and you'll reach Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. In addition to all Gold Elite benefits, Platinum Elite members receive:
- 50% bonus points
- 4 p.m. late checkout
- Dedicated Elite Support Line
- Welcome gift (choice of points, breakfast offering, or amenity — varies by brand)
- Room upgrade, including select suites (based on availability)
- Lounge access
- Guaranteed room type
- After 50 Elite Qualifying Nights, select an Annual Choice Benefit:
- 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
- $1,000 discount on a Marriott bed purchase
- 5 Elite Night Credits added to your account within 48 hours
- Gift Silver Elite status to someone
- $100 charity donation in your name
- Fast-track to Hertz Five Star status
- Emirates priority check-in and boarding
Those with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card receive complimentary Platinum Elite status each year. However, you still need to reach 50 Qualifying Nights to get an Annual Choice Benefit each year.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Titanium Elite (75-plus nights per year)
Earn 75 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year and you'll reach Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. In addition to all Platinum Elite benefits, Titanium Elite members receive:
- 75% bonus points
- 48-hour guarantee
- An additional Annual Choice Benefit after earning 75 Elite Night Credits, with two additional options:
- Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points
- Gift Gold Elite status to someone
United MileagePlus - Hertz Five Star status
Ambassador Elite (100-plus nights + $23K qualifying spend per year)
Earn 100 Elite Night Credits and spend at least $23,000 in qualifying Marriott purchases in a calendar year to reach Ambassador Elite status. In addition to all Titanium Elite benefits, Ambassador Elite members receive:
- Ambassador Service, with access to a dedicated personal Ambassador.
- Your24, which lets you request a specific check-in time and check out at the same time on your departure day (subject to availability).
- Hertz President's Circle status.
- Ambassador Plus One after reaching 100 Elite Night Credits and $40,000 in qualifying annual spend, allowing you to gift Ambassador Elite status to an eligible household member.
One important caveat if you're working toward Ambassador Elite status: The cash portion of Cash + Points stays doesn't count toward the $23,000 annual qualifying spend requirement. You also won't earn Marriott Bonvoy points on that portion of your stay.
Platinum Elite (and above) welcome gift options
Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members receive a welcome gift at participating Marriott properties, but the options vary by brand and location. Depending on where you stay, you can choose from points, breakfast, a food and beverage credit, or another amenity.
Here's what you can expect at each Marriott brand:
| Hotel Brand | Welcome Gift Option(s) | Compensation for Not Providing the Specified Gift |
|---|---|---|
| Autograph Collection, Delta Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels | $100 USD | |
| Gaylord Hotels | 1,000 points per stay or $10 USD F&B credit per stay | $100 USD |
| Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy | Trailborn, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy: 1,000 Points per Stay or U.S. $10 F&B credit per night of Stay for Member +1 Postcard Cabins, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy: 1,000 Points per Stay or F&B amenity per night of Stay for Member +1 | $100 USD |
| St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Le Méridien, Westin, and Tribute Portfolio | 1,000 points per stay or amenity per stay or breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for member +1 (including resorts) | $100 USD |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, EDITION, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Design Hotels™, EDITION, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Marriott Vacation Club, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Sheraton Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton, Westin Vacation Club | 1,000 points per stay | N/A |
| Courtyard | Properties with lounge - 500 Points per stay and breakfast in lounge - if lounge is closed, breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for member +1 | $50 USD |
| AC Hotels, citizenM, Moxy Hotels | $50 USD (AC Hotels), $25 USD (citizenM and Moxy Hotels) | |
| SpringHill Suites, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites | 500 Points per Stay or F&B amenity per Stay | $50 USD (SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn), $25 USD (Fairfield by Marriott, TownePlace Suites) |
| Four Points, Aloft | 500 points per stay or amenity or breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for member +1 | $50 USD (Four Points), $25 USD (Aloft) |
| Protea Hotels | 500 points per stay or breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for member +1 | $50 USD |
| Element | 500 points per stay or amenity | $25 USD |
| Four Points Flex, Series by Marriott | 500 Points per Stay or breakfast in restaurant per night of Stay for Member +1 If property (i) does not have a restaurant, (ii) the restaurant is closed, or (iii) the restaurant is operated by a third party, Member will receive 500 Points per Stay. | $25 USD |
| City Express | 500 Points per Stay At City Centro locations: Breakfast in restaurant per night of Stay for Member +1 | $25 USD |
* Outside of the U.S., hotels will pay compensation in the local currency.
**The $10 food and beverage credit is available per night for the member and one guest staying in the same room, for a total of up to $20 per night. Credits don't roll over from one day to the next.
Related: From Adana Kebabs to Elite Upgrades: Why I Keep Returning to This Moxy in Istanbul
Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy's most loyal members can earn lifetime elite status, allowing them to keep their status without requalifying each year.
Here's what you'll need to qualify:
- Lifetime Silver Elite: 250 qualifying nights + five years of Silver Elite status or higher.
- Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 qualifying nights + seven years of Gold Elite status or higher.
- Lifetime Platinum Elite: 600 qualifying nights + 10 years of Platinum Elite status or higher.
Note that you still need to meet the annual threshold for the Choice Benefit, even though your status is guaranteed for life. And yes, the Elite Night Credits from Marriott Bonvoy credit cards count toward these numbers.
Related: Decoding Marriott's Credit Card Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying
Final Thoughts
Marriott Bonvoy elite status can make your stays considerably more rewarding, but you don't necessarily have to spend dozens of nights in Marriott hotels to get it. Credit cards can help you earn Elite Night Credits faster or even provide elite status automatically.
Gold Elite status is relatively easy to get through several credit cards, but Platinum Elite is where many of Marriott's most valuable benefits kick in, including suite upgrades, lounge access, and a choice of welcome gifts. And you can get Platinum Elite status automatically just by holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
