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If you've got top-tier Marriott elite status, we have good news. In 2024, Marriott rolled out a new perk for Ambassador Elite members — a Plus One benefit that allows Ambassador Elites to gift their status to someone living at their same address. Although it appeared to be a temporary benefit, it's now a permanent, codified perk for top-tier members.
So, what is this secret-sounding benefit? Here's what to know.
Which Marriott Ambassador Elites Are Eligible for the Plus One Benefit?
The Plus One benefit is not open to all Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elites. It's only available to exceptional members who exceed the status spending requirements — in grand fashion. To reach Marriott Ambassador Elite status, you must stay 100 nights and spend at least $23,000. To qualify for the Plus One benefit, Ambassador Elite members must have $40,000 in qualifying spending. That's a big amount of spending.
Unfortunately, you cannot gift status to anyone you like. Instead, this perk is designed to be gifted to a spouse, companion, or significant other. The critical criterion is that they have to reside at the same address as you. Marriott makes it clear that if fraud is suspected, both accounts will be investigated. If the suspicions are confirmed, both accounts will be canceled. So, be very careful to follow the rules here.
The recipient will retain Ambassador Elite status for a minimum of a full calendar year. For instance, if you gift Ambassador Elite status to your spouse in November 2025, your spouse will enjoy status through the next program year, which expires in February 2027. In order for your spouse to keep their status beyond that, you will need to earn Ambassador Elite the next program year. If not, you and your spouse will both be downgraded to Titanium Elite.
Related: All Hotel Elite Status Match & Fast Track Opportunities
Marriott Ambassador Plus One Benefit Limitations
This benefit sweetens the pot for the top-tier Marriott members who spend the most money with the hotel giant. However, the major issue is that it is restricted to someone who resides at the same address. We all have loved ones who we do not live with.
Take, for instance, a single person who qualifies. Should they not be able to gift status to one of their parents or siblings? Alternatively, why can’t you gift status to one of your kids who travels for work?
Couple that with the fact that, in many cases, if traveling for pleasure, the qualifying member may be traveling with the “loved one” they would have gifted status, greatly diminishing the utility of this benefit.
If you're deciding whether to eclipse the $40,000 spending threshold, consider these limitations before you spend extra.
Related: Do Any Credit Cards Provide Top-Tier Hotel Elite Status?
Our Take
The bottom line is that the new Marriott Plus One benefit is a great perk. However, the number of people taking advantage of it will be very small. On the one hand, it is great for Marriott to add more benefits for its top-tier members who spend huge sums at their properties. On the other hand, the restriction to only someone who lives at the same address is a little stingy.
However, it is good to know this perk exists, especially if you can take advantage of it. Only time will tell if Marriott will roll out something similar for lower-tier elites.
- 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.
- 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
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
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