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Earning Marriott Bonvoy® elite status can be rewarding and valuable for frequent travelers. In exchange for their loyalty, Marriott Bonvoy elite status offers frequent travelers valuable perks and bonus points each time they stay at a Marriott property — such as guaranteed late checkout, suite upgrades, and free breakfast.
Travelers have several shortcuts available to boost their progress toward Marriott elite status. A few premium travel rewards credit cards — including some Marriott co-branded credit cards — even offer Bonvoy status as a benefit to cardholders. Whether you earn your status through a premium credit card or with paid stays, the benefits of Marriott elite status are the same.
In this post, we'll show you how to earn Marriott Bonvoy status. We'll also dive deeper into the perks and benefits offered to Bonvoy members with elite status. You might already have access to Marriott Bonvoy elite status and not even know it! Here's what you need to know about Marriott elite status.
Page Contents
How Do You Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status?
Travelers have two ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status. The most common approach to earning status with Marriott is by earning enough Elite Night Credits (ENCs) to qualify for status. You'll earn elite night credits on most stays. Some Marriott cards also allow you to boost your way toward elite status with extra elite night credits each calendar year.
The second way to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status is by holding a premium travel rewards credit card that offers Bonvoy status as a cardholder benefit. In this post, we'll cover earning status through earning elite night credits and holding eligible credit cards.
Reach Bonvoy elite status by earning elite night credits
The most straightforward way to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status is by earning Marriott elite night credits on paid or redeemed stays with Marriott. Elite nights are any nights spent at a Marriott property that count towards stay requirements for elite status. If you book your stay through Marriott's website, you're pretty much guaranteed to earn elite nights during your stay.
However, there are some instances in which a stay isn't eligible to earn elite night credits. Here are the types of bookings that are not eligible to earn elite night credits:
- Stays booked through a third-party website. Third-party booking engines include popular sites like Expedia, Priceline, and Hotels.com.
- If your stay is booked as part of a group booking and you do not personally pay for your hotel room.
- Note: The member who made 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.
- When a voucher or third-party award is redeemed for your room.
It's worth noting that the types of stays listed above are also ineligible to earn Marriott Bonvoy® points. So, if you want to work your way towards Bonvoy elite status and rack up points, it's recommended that you always book through Marriott's official website.
So, how many Elite Night Credits do you need to earn to reach 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* |
* A member must also meet an eligible spend requirement to earn Ambassador Elite status. In addition to 100 or more elite night credits, members must spend $23,000 or more in a calendar year at Marriott properties.
Related: Award Travelers Guide to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Earn bonus elite night credits with eligible Marriott credit cards
Some of the most frequent travelers don't travel enough to hit 75 or 100 nights each year and fall short of the next-highest elite tier. Luckily, there are ways to boost how many elite night credits you earn, helping you level up faster. Some Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards allow cardholders to earn bonus elite nights credits, and these count towards reaching higher elite status qualifications.
What cards earn bonus elite night credits, and how do you earn those bonus credits? Here are the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that can let you reach elite status with added elite night credits each calendar year:
- Cards open to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Receive 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and earn one Elite Night Credit towards 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: 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.
If you were wondering: Yes, Marriott allows members to stack elite night credits from multiple credit cards — but only from certain types of cards. You can start each year with up to 40 Elite Night Credits, but this requires pairing the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- 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: 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.
- A Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- 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.
- 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.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport 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.
- 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.
- 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
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 a card's annual fee.
Here are the Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards that offer cardholders Bonvoy elite status or the ability to earn status through eligible spending:
- Cards open to new applicants
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Platinum Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Gold Elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Silver Elite status. Earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 in an account year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: 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 Gold Elite status.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Match your hotel status to Marriott Bonvoy
A third way to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status is through a status match. However, this third method requires you to already have elite status with another major hotel chain. In our full guide to matching, you can learn how to match your status to Marriott Bonvoy.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Tiers & Benefits
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers members five elite status tiers above the standard membership level. Each tier has a set number of nights members must stay to earn that status. Each status tier also comes with various benefits, ranging from late check-out to a dedicated personal ambassador.
The benefits of Marriott Bonvoy elite status vary depending on your tier. For example, Bonvoy Silver Elite status doesn't offer a ton of luxe benefits, while Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status comes with a long list of extremely lucrative benefits.
Though some unfavorable changes have been made to the Bonvoy program (e.g., free breakfast no longer offered to Gold Elite members), the Bonvoy program remains quite rewarding — especially for travelers with top-tier elite status.
Here's a detailed overview of the benefits that come with each Marriott Bonvoy elite status tier:
| Benefit | Basic 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 | |
| Points bonus | 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 | 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 | Stay 50 qualifying nights | Stay 75 qualifying nights | ||||
| 48-hour room guarantee (book by 3 p.m. at least 48 hours before check-in) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Your24 check-in and checkout times | Yes | |||||
| Ambassador service | Yes | |||||
| Additional Benefits (Car Rental and Airline Partners) | 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 |
Sometimes, the benefits you receive with your elite status won't be available at a property you visit. For instance, there's a huge variation in welcome gift options across Marriott's hotel brands. Additionally, you can't use Nightly Upgrade Awards at multiple brands, including:
- The Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
- Design Hotels™
- all-Suite Hotels
- Marriott Executive Apartments
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Marriott Grand Residence Club properties
- Vistana properties
To make things more confusing and less straightforward for members, individual hotels get to determine which of their suites are eligible for upgrades at check-in or using Nightly Upgrade Awards. These differences leave some members with a feeling of inconsistency in the program.
Here is a detailed breakdown of Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits by tier:
Basic Member (0–9 nights per year)
You will receive this tier for simply enrolling in the Marriott Bonvoy program. If you haven't enrolled yet, you can do so here. Remember to check for any new member bonus offers with any loyalty program when enrolling.
Basic member benefits include:
- Complimentary in-room internet access.
- Access to member rates.
- Mobile check-in/services.
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent at most brands, plus one elite night credit for each night you stay.
- Earn 5 points per $1 at Homes & Villas, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, Protea & City Express.
- Receive one elite night credit for two nights spent at Protea & City Express.
- Earn 2.5 points per $1 spent at Marriott Executive Apartments, plus one elite night credit for every three nights stayed.
Note that stays at Residences properties, like JW Residences or Renaissance Residences, don't earn elite nights or points, as these sub-brands are not participants in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Silver Elite (10–24 nights per year)
Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite members get all basic member benefits plus:
- 10% points bonus.
- Priority late checkout (based on availability).
- Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.
Gold Elite (25–49 nights per year)
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members get all Silver Elite benefits plus:
- 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)
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members get all Gold Elite benefits plus:
- 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 qualifying nights, select an Annual Choice Benefit:
- 5x Suite Night Awards.
- $100 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+ nights per year)
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite members get all Platinum Elite benefits plus:
- 75% bonus points.
- 48-hour guarantee.
- Additional Choice Benefit with two additional options:
- Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points.
- Gift Gold Elite status to someone.
- United MileagePlus Premier Silver status (register here).
- Hertz Five Star status.
Ambassador Elite (100+ nights + $23K qualifying spend per year)
Marriott Ambassador Elite members get all Titanium Elite benefits plus:
- Ambassador Service.
- Your24.
- Hertz President's Circle status.
On January 26, 2022, Marriott updated the “Non-Qualifying Charges” and “Paid Upgrade Awards” sections of its program terms and conditions. These changes note that Cash & Points stays do not earn points on the cash portion of the payment. This cash portion also does not count as qualifying spend toward the spending requirements for Ambassador Elite status.
Platinum Elite (and above) welcome gift options
Once you earn Platinum Elite, you're eligible to select a welcome amenity at check-in. Let's take a look at your options:
| Hotel Brand | Welcome Gift Option(s) | Compensation for Not Providing the Specified Gift |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection, and Renaissance Hotels | $100 USD | |
| Gaylord Hotels | 1,000 points per stay or $10 USD F&B credit per stay | $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, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Design Hotels™, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy, Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Vistana properties provide Elite Welcome Gift only to Members who are not Vistana Owners using their ownership interest. | 1,000 points per stay | N/A |
| Courtyard | $50 USD | |
| AC Hotels, Moxy Hotels | $50 USD (AC Hotels), $25 USD (Moxy Hotels) | |
| SpringHill Suites, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites | $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 | $25 USD |
| 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 | 500 points per stay or breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for Member +1 | $25 USD |
| City Express |
*Outside of the U.S., hotels will pay compensation in the local currency
** The U.S. $10 food and beverage credit per night of stay is for the member. An additional U.S. $10 food and beverage credit per night of stay is given for one (1) guest staying in the same guest room as the member. $10 credit per night does not roll over to the next day to create accumulated value.
Related: From Adana Kebabs to Elite Upgrades: Why I Keep Returning to This Moxy in Istanbul
Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy offers its most loyal members lifetime Bonvoy elite status. Following Marriott's merger with Starwood, Marriott honored lifetime elite status from previous Marriott Rewards/Starwood Preferred Guest programs.
But if you haven't earned it yet, here's how to get Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite status:
- 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
You'll enjoy a complimentary gift upon qualification for Lifetime Platinum Elite. 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's portfolio of hotels and resorts now includes almost 8,700 properties worldwide. With such a massive network of hotels, Marriott's loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, can be a rewarding program for frequent travelers. Members earn points on each stay and progress towards Bonvoy elite status.
You earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status by meeting elite night credit requirements or via eligible credit cards. Once you receive elite status, you will receive added benefits and perks during each stay. Members' benefits depend on their status tier and can range from late check-out to a personal ambassador.
While the program has some negative aspects (such as charging resort fees on award stays, using dynamic pricing, and offering different perks at different hotel brands), it also has numerous benefits.
Attaining mid-tier Bonvoy Gold Elite status is also surprisingly easy, thanks to several credit cards that offer it as a benefit to cardholders. But, Platinum Elite is the level that offers most of the benefits many travelers seek, and now you can get it 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 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.
Additionally, you can’t use Nightly Upgrade Awards at multiple brands, including:
I think this was changed
Thanks for flagging. That list wasn’t updated, but it is now. (Sadly some brands / types of properties are still excluded.)
Question on Elite Night Credits from credit cards each calendar year – If I sign up for a credit card before the end of 2022, do you know if the Elite Night Credits will count towards 2022 or not until 2023?
Thanks!
Hi , If I chose the 5 night suite award as a platinum member will that also count as nights stayed in my account ?
You won’t earn any Elite Night Credits for *selecting* Suite Night Awards. However, when you use those Suite Night Awards for a stay, you’ll earn elite nights on the stay. If you need extra Elite Night Credits to hit Titanium, consider selecting the 5 Elite Night Credit choice reward instead.
Technical question….if I stay at a hotel on New Years Eve does that night go to 2022 nights or 2023 nights?
That’s one of those mysteries that I’ve never gotten a clear answer on. Some people believe 2023 as it’s based on when you checkout. But the actual night stayed is December 31, 2022. I’d love to hear if you figured it out from experience!
Are nights that are above your status level at the end of the year applied to the following year in any way?
Just trying to figure out if it is worth trying to make it to the next level with Marriott or sticking to Hilton the rest of the year (which does carry those might over).
Unfortunately, Marriott doesn’t allow rollover nights — but Hilton indeed does have rollover nights for elites. Plus, Hilton is offering 2x elite nights: https://awardwallet.com/blog/hilton-honors-bonus-points-promotion/
No. You’ll see in the chart above that status is an range, eg Platinum is 50-74. The excess nights accrue towards your lifetime status which cap at 600 nights for Platinum. Better to put the nights into another loyalty brand (for which you have a chance at attaining or maintaining status) once hitting the minimum threshold (if you have no chance of hitting the next tier threshold) or lifetime cap.
I understand that upon obtaining any level of elite status, you will keep that status for the rest of the calendar year, plus the entirety of the following calendar year before having to requalify. but, how does it work with elite nights? do they get “expunged” from your account at the start of every calendar year? let’s say I currently have the amex biz plat card so I’m automatically gold. plus I got the 15 elite night credits for holding the amex marriott biz card, plus I had a 5 night stay, so i’m currently at gold status and 20 elite nights. now let’s say I don’t earn any more elite nights until next calendar year (2023), and then at the end of january of ’23 amex gives me my 15 elite night credits for the year. so my question is, would I then have 35 elite nights, or would I only have 15 because my 20 which I currently have would have “expired” at the end of 2022?
Different hotel loyalty programs treat this differently. Some (IHG, Hilton) will let you rollover elite nights that you earned in addition to what was required for that status. Marriott doesn’t. You start from zero elite nights every January 1st.
We are now Lifetime Platinum. How many more nights will we need to stay each year to keep our Titanium Elite status each year? Is it just the difference between Platinum (50 nights) & Titanium (75 nights) which would be 25 nights?
Thanks
DS – I know that you specifically must still hit the 50 nights and 75 nights to get the annual gift choices. That makes me think you would still need to stay 75 nights to hit Titanium — not just the 25 nights’ difference. However, I reached out to Marriott to confirm. Once I get a reply, I’ll come back here and update. Good question! Never thought about this.
DS – Marriott says you still need the full 75 nights to maintain Titanium Elite each year.
Hello….I currently have 49 nights and need 1 more to reach Platinum status. If I book a stay for December 31 will it count for this years stay or next years because it takes about 3 days for the stay to be added to my account.
I just skimmed Marriott’s terms and conditions and couldn’t find anything conclusive. But I’d assume that the date is based on the checkout date. So, I’d recommend getting a night before 12/31.
I don’t know if I would really go for elite status without a credit card. They seem to be a hit or miss with getting any benefits with a hotel I stay at.
The 4p late checkout is a great perk and is more consistent than what Hilton promises/offers. Lounge is a hit-or-miss these days as many are still closed due to COVID.
It’s great they extended the elite status. There are so many choices for staying at a Marriott brand hotel, it is fairly easy to rack up points/nights.
They dont exactly wow you with the elite benefits especially since some of the hotels actually try to get out of giving it and the benefits itself is underwhelming like late check out for silver status but not even guaranteed.
It’s sad Marriott took away free breakfasts from the Gold Tier….it is almost worthless now and Platinum is not worth the trouble. Also, the Ambassador program has gone downhill since Marriott took it over from SPG. At least they still have the points transfer to 15-20 airlines…..hope it lasts.
Im a platinum member I recommed getting this status lots of great benefit.
I find that there are not a lot of tangible benefits to elite status but a 4 pm checkout can be very useful. Earning more points per stay is always helpful.
Don’t forget, benefits are slightly different for all-inclusive resorts. Some similarities but a couple of very different things, all the way up to a complimentary massage for Ambassador elites!
I much preferred Marriott Rewards before the Bonvoy program. One perq used to be that AAA members could get Silver Elite status upon request. I don’t see that option anymore. Is that still available somehow?
I remember that! Unfortunately, that seems to have been phased out with the Marriott Rewards program.
Marriott is one of my preferred hotels but I’ve been less loyal to that brand with some of the benefits offered at their competitors such as Hilton and Hyatt. The best approach is generally picking one brand and using them consistently to gain the most elite status possible.
Is acheiving platinum status worth it? I have 45 nights and could do a cheap mattress run somewhere.
All I know is that Gold has been useless since the SPG merger, used to include lounge access and now doesn’t 😢
What is Qualifying Spend (of Ambassador Elite)? Any expense is not qualified?
Section 2.1.b of Marriott’s T&C (https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi) has a long list of what’s eligible.
The short list includes:
A. Qualifying Rates for Stays;
B. Food and beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages where prohibited by law) and may exclude charges incurred at outlets that are not managed or operated by the Participating Property;
C. Direct-dialed in-room telephone and direct-dialed in-room fax;
D. In-room movies and video games;
If you book a night on the annual free night certificate that is attached to a Bonvoy credit card, will that night count towards elite status?
It sure will! This is explicitly stated in Marriott’s terms and conditions: “4.2.c. Free Night Award stays will count toward Elite Night Credit.”
Yes it will, but are you planning to do this right now to get credit for it this year? I am not sure which year will get credit for the night. My free night that was associated with my credit card was counted toward my elite status, but the stay didn’t show up in my account for about 10 days. Not sure if that has been the case for anyone else but it didn’t matter to me as I used it in June. Good luck!
That’s a good question for the original poster! Indeed, it may take some time for a stay to post to an account, but it will still count for the year in which you stayed.
I’ve got Platinum status and a 90 day work trip coming up. I need 14 days to bump me up in tier level level. How do I get the bump in tier level, to take advantage of the increase in bonus points, during this stay. My understanding is that I don’t get credit until the end of the trip, thus I won’t get the extra bonus points.
If I earn 60 nights this year I will attain gold with 10 extra nights to space. Do those 10 nights carryover toward next years goal to accumulate another 50+ points & platinum next year also?
I am Lifetime Titanium Elite what do I need to get Lifetime Ambassador ?
If I got the amex brilliant card . I get gold status and 15 elite nights. How many nights would I have to stay to get to Platinum? 50, 25 or 10?
Plat requires 50 nights, so if you get 15 with the Brilliant card, that would leave 35, no?
That’s correct
From a FrequentMiler post this year (https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/shortcuts-to-marriott-platinum-elite-status/), the $75k Platinum spend must be done in a calendar year but this post says “account year”. Which one is correct?
Thanks for reaching out, have updated the post as it is $75K in a calendar year.
I have 44 nights this year (incl the 15 freebies). I just learned that nights where I reserved, checked in and paid for 2 rooms, I only received “stay” credit for the rooms I stayed in, but I still earn points. Apparently this a rule Marriott slipped into the plan in 2018 (to the SPG’ers). Now with so few days left in the year, I have to book 6 night (not 2) to retain my status (I had a trip w/ my family where we had two rooms rooms for 4 days and I only received 4 days of credit). Really lame. What would you do?
Do you receive credits for nights toward status when paying with points? Have 32 nights, will be using points to stay 6 nights later this month will I increase to 38? Have a qualifying credit card for 15 night credut. Trying to hit 50 to keep my platium elite again for 2020.
Yes your award nights count toward status. I wouldn’t be platinum if they didn’t allow that as I use points almost exclusively and rarely pay for a room. Good luck!
Bonvoy has a “challenge” plan for Gold and Platinum Elites in 2019, heard if they will have the same in 2020? Many thanks.
Will be staying at a Marriott hotel for 60 days. I was told I would become a Platinum Elite during my stay. Can anyone tell me how soon after I’ve hit the 50 day mark will my status be active?
Before SPG merged into Marriott Bonvoy, the resort fee was always waived as I was a Platinum member. Now with Marriott Bonvoy I am a Titanium Elite and I was wondering is the resort fee still waived?
Hey Kathie, I don’t believe Marriott waives resort fees for elites.
I have 43 nights right now and will not be staying at a Marriott again this year. If I get the Chase card with 15 elite nights bonus will that give me 58 for this year and Platinum status?
Yep!
Did you end up doing this and getting these nights for 2019? In reading the terms it looks like the 15 nights may not apply until the following year? I am also a few nights short and looking to close the gap for Platinum status.
Terms I am referring to:To be eligible to receive the 15 Elite Night credits with this Card, you must be the primary cardmember, your Card Account must be open as of December 31 of the prior year, and you must have an active Marriott Bonvoy member account linked to your credit card account.
I used the $75K CC spend using Bonvoy Brilliant to get Platinum status. Is it possible to spend my way to Titanium Elite status? If yes, how much more?
Unfortunately, you can’t get to Titanium Elite with additional spend.
Just curious, when you do the 75k spend, do you get nights added to your lifetime count that equals platinum, for example does 50 nights show up in your account when you hit the spend? I’m curious because by next year I’ll be 8 years platinum, but not sure if next year will have me traveling as much. If I do the spend, i still need additional lifetime nights to go toward lifetime platinum to reach 600. Hope this makes sense, thanks
No your spend has nothing to do with nights. You get the number of nights that come with the credit card each year. Once you hit $75k you could choose five more nights as your choice benefit, but you should only do this if you are within five nights of the next tier of status. Getting platinum through the credit card will not really affect your number of nights otherwise.
I also didn’t bite at all the offers they kept sending to upgrade the Marriott Visa. The ability to earn nights via CC spend is too good to lose.
Hi,
so i will be staying at a westin for about 90-95 days, i have been a member of spg for the past 7 years or so, did the update to Bonvoy. my questions are
1. upon checkout will i be qualified automatically for the titanium elite status?
2. will the night count for the lifetime status?
Hey Nemer, you can qualify for Tintanium Elite with 75 nights, so 90 would qualify. Paid nights should qualify for lifetime status. Both questions are answered in this post. 🙂
I kept the old Chase Marriott Visa because we received a one night credit for every $3k spent. I was originally told that the 15 night maximum didn’t apply to this grandfathered card.
I’m at 554 nights and 10 years plat, so I’m hoping that I can get more credit card nights to make Lifetime Platinum
I am a 5 Star Elite owner at Vistana (5+) weeks of ownership). I had heard a rumor that the ownership may qualify for Titanium Elite status. Does anyone know the answer?
Hi (maybe again)….I don’t think my first post posted.
I just learned the same thing…that is truly crazy! If you spent that last dollar in December they are stealing 1/3 of your year you should be Platinum!
Anyway, have you learned anything more about this delay? Any workarounds? We, too, will be traveling and I want it ASAP.
Also, to be clear, once you reach that spend level in 2019, I assume the status extends through all of 2020. Correct?
Final question, do you get all of the benefits that you get if you earn it through nights stayed? Or do they eliminate some of those since you earned it the easy way?
Thanks and good luck!!
Sorry but I don’t check this very often. I was told it would be 12-16 weeks, but in reality it was less than a week, so all was well and I achieved Platinum with plenty of time to spare. I just wish I hadn’t frontloaded all of my spending on my Bonvoy card. I find Chase points to be more valuable since the merger. Best of luck!
I just got off the phone with American Express to ask them how long it will take for my platinum status to begin after I have spent the $75,000. I will be cutting it close with a trip that is coming up. They told me that their infor says 12-16 WEEKS! Has anyone earned status through the $75k spend that can tell me if this is what is happening in practice? If I have to wait 3-4 months this will really impact a couple of family trips that I have coming up. Would appreciate if anyone could let me know if they really had to wait this long. Thanks!
I am a Gold Elite, as the owner of an enrolled Marriott Timeshare Week, having a value of 3075 Points. If my Points value was more than 4000 I would be upgraded to Platinum. However, I also own 4 Starwood Vistana Weeks, and despite that program being taken over by Marriott, I am allowed no Credits towards a Higher Elite Status. I can see no fairness or logic in this. Do you know if Marriott are proposing to eliminate this inequality?
I wish I had more info to give you George but I’m not familiar with the timeshare side of Marriott.
I have Gold Elite now through Amex Platinum. If I get the new Bonvoy card that offers 15 elite nights. Does that mean I will just need 10 nights to reach Platinum Elite?
No, the 15 nights doesn’t stack on existing status or with additional credits from other cards. You will still need 35 nights to make Platinum.
As an SPG lifetime gold member and and Hilton Diamond for life I will just not be staying at Marriott properties any longer. Don’t know if Marriott purposely chose to downgrade SPG members but I have a choice in where I stay an I chose to stay at Hilton properties.
How yo know if my stay has qualifying nights to progress towards platinum, am a gold elite
Am at Sheraton these days
SPG: 975 nights; 9 years $ spent were way beyond Marriott requirement for lifetime platinum. I guess I missed being grandfathered by duration (1 year)? Thanks
Ouch! Yes, 10+ years is the benchmark to achieve lifetime Platinum status.
Hi everyone, so I’m about to choose my annual benefit and as I’m reading through the description, I must say I’m confused because the benefit sounds weak.
– 5 suit night award: is this just a free upgrade? Sounds weak because we’re already eligible for the free upgrade at platinum level.
– 5 Elite night Credit: I thought this was 5 FREE nights. The more I read into it I’m getting the idea that it’s not the case. So what is it?
Thanks
Hi Ginna, Sad to confirm your suspicions. The 5 suite nights are a guaranteed in advance suite upgrade (unlike the when you check in and they are hopefully available perk). But eve3n these “guaranteed” suite upgrades do not confirm until several nights before your stay.
And again, sad to confirm, the 5 night elite credit is just that – credit for staying 5 nights towards your next year total nights (without staying the 5 nights).
In my opinion, it is not worth jumping through hoops to get to 75 nights for these meager additional perks either.
Ugh!
Thanks for your feedback, Cecelia. That does sound pretty lame ?
Here is a stupid question for you guys. If I am Lifetime Gold, does that mean I just need 25 nights to get to Platinum the following years? Or would I still need to spend 75 nights per year in order to reach platinum?
Aaron – you will need the full number of nights to get to Platinum (or any level) in any one year.
Lifetime Gold does not count in your night tally for the year.
For these credit cards, do you have to spend the dollar minimum to also get the 15 free elite nights or is that just for the automatic gold status? If I earn platinum using the 15 elite nights, would that year counts towards my lifetime years? I just need to more years to earn platinum for life since I’m already lifetime gold.
No, you get the 15 nights just for holding the card and paying the annual fee each year. And yes, if those 15 nights help you make Platinum status, that year of status will still count towards your lifetime status count.
I have the marriott Bonvoy card and then get the 15 nights. However, if I get the ritz card, will I also get complimentary 15 nights, for the a total of 30 nights credited towards status each year?
Unfortunately, the benefit is capped at 15 nights, regardless of how many cards have the 15 night benefit.
Hi,
Can Non US resident apply for the those Marriot credit card ?
If yes, how useful do you think it will be ?
Thanks.
No, these are US issued cards.
Hello,
I just made gold lifetime member with 659 nights / 8 years.
I’d like to get to lifetime platinum of course.
Two questions –
I had 144 nights 2018, of course none of them rolled over and was platinum premiere elite.
How long does that status last? Is it calendar year?
I would need 2 more years at platinum elite or higher. Does that mean, i have “earn” platinum status for 2 more years or however years i was a platinum status?
Hey Ethan, sorry to say I don’t know for sure. Hopefully, someone else can help out here in the comments. Otherwise, I’d recommend double checking with Marriott before planning 2019 stays.
Howie – do you know when in January Marriott will start notifying people who made Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite? I just hit 800+ nights and 12 years Platinum on Marriott so I should qualify? Thanks –
Hey stepping in for Howie here; the only thing we know is that it should happen in January.
I am lifetime plat and also plat premier for 2019.
Headed to Mexico city -looking at either LosAlcabos (Luxury Collection) or St. Regis.
Find I may be able to book for less at a 3rd party site.
Will my plat premier benefits be honored?
As a lifetime Plat I don’t see that I need the night credit any longer as I will likely never get to the 75 needed for the extra perk choice…and if I understand it right-that is all I lose by booking 3rd party? Well, that and the 5th night free I guess, if and when it applies.
BTW-that5th night free is not working online for paid stays-although it comes up on the point stay. Just another Marriott broken issue or is it really only good for point stays?
Any time you travel, at any of the big hotel companies, if you book on something like Expedia, you arrive as an Expedia guest, not a Bonvoy guest. Therefore, the only recognized status would be the status you hold with Expedia.
The company that you book through, is the membership your reservation is focused on.
It seems odd that as a AMEX Platinum card holder you would not receive the 15 elite nights credit for Marriott. Already a Marriott Platinum Elite member so the Gold Elite status is not a perk. I’d have to drop down to a SPG branded card to get a perk.
Anyone seen any clarification as to if AMEX Palatinum card holders get the 15 elite nights as well?
Amex Platinum Charge Cardholders do not get 15 elite nights towards status.
I received my e- certificate for a free night stay at a category 4 hotel. What do you need to do to qualify for a category 5 hotel?
You need a credit card that offers it as a benefit.
Hi,
I am currently a Lifetime Gold Member. To achieve Platinum I need 40 more nights. Is it worth it to chase the Lifetime Platinum status. With either staus the what happens to the lounge/breakfast access with lifetime elite status?
Thanksin advance
You’ll need Platinum for breakfast. Gold won’t get it anymore.
Personally, I’d probably push to try to get Lifetime Platinum as long as you think you’ll receive value from it in the future.
Hi there,
i have a really stupid and easy question:
How long do you keep your status?
I started the Marriot Rewrds Programm in March 2018 and will get to 75 nights by end of November.
How long will i keep my platin status?
Couldnt find the answer to this question anywhere.
Thanks in advance
You’ll keep it through the beginning of 2020.
I have been a SPG member since 2003. i have had 1891 nights in 11 years as a platinum member how much money did i spent on that?
And i don’t see any advantage compared to before the merger. Maybe someone can point out something!
They promote a dedicated elite reservation line??? I called and nobody where able to give me a number for Europe. So i have to call the regular number and wait for 2-3 min before i can talk to someone…
The so-called enhanced Marriott Elite loyalty programs beginning in June 2018 may in Marriott’s mind be an improvement but removing access to the lounge and eliminating free breakfast for Elite Gold and Platinum members can only be an improvement in Marriott’s bottom line and certainly in no way an improvement for the Elite Member.
Just wondering. I’m already Lifetime Platinum with 3,500,00 and as of today now 1000 nights.
Does achieving 1000 nights get anything extra? Hard to believe I’ve spent nearly 3 years in a hotel room.
Nothing extra, but you’re grandfathered in at Platinum Premier, which I’m jealous of as I’ve got 880 nights + 10 years with SPG and I get Platinum — so you win!
$80,000 is quite a bit of money. How long is the time period that you based your spend on?
For years I worked so hard to get spg platinum and rarely saw any benefits from it. Now I am just coasting along as lifetime gold. Sometimes it helps, but usually not.