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Most Marriott properties award elite nights based on the number of nights stayed. Of course, there's the occasional elite night multiplier promotion to take advantage of. And, the right Marriott credit card combo could boost your elite night count to 40 as soon as the year begins.
But many travelers are surprised to learn that, at least until recently, certain Marriott brands awarded only one elite night for every two nights stayed. That was problematic as no elite nights would be rewarded for any one-night stays, and you'd only earn one elite night credit on a three-night stay.
Thankfully, Marriott Bonvoy has changed to this policy. Let's dig into the details of this development.
Marriott Brands Where You'll Now Earn Half Elite Night Credits
The change only affects those frequenting four Marriott limited-service brands:
- City Express by Marriott
- Four Points Flex by Sheraton
- Protea Hotels by Marriott
- Series by Marriott
These properties are aimed at a different type of frequent travelers — including road warriors and international travelers. Hotels like City Express cater to business travelers on longer assignments away from home. Meanwhile, brands like Four Points Flex (formerly Four Points Express) and Protea cater to several markets outside the U.S. — although City Express and Series by Marriott are expanding domestically.
Because of this, Marriott decided to award fewer elite nights for these stays. That decision is likely due to brand protection. Cheaper stays abroad could flood elite ranks at higher-priced markets. So, Marriott found a solution that delivered some elite benefits to keep guests loyal to the brand.
What's Changing With Marriott Elite Nights?
For the four brands mentioned, Marriott will now award 0.5 elite nights per night stayed, rather than one elite night per two nights stayed.
If you've always stayed an even number of nights, you won't notice any change whatsoever. However, if you are a frequent one-night (or any odd number of nights) guest of these limited service brands, you'll be able to earn elite status at a faster clip.
One brand that won't be seeing any changes is Marriott Executive Apartments. There, guests earn just one elite night for every three nights stayed. At this brand, you'll still earn just one Marriott Elite Night Credit for a five-night stay.
Bottom Line
This is a genuinely positive — and frankly overdue — change from Marriott Bonvoy. Awarding zero elite night credit for a one-night stay wasn't fair to travelers. By awarding half-night elite credits, Marriott improves a frustrating quirk of its loyalty program.
This update won’t suddenly propel most members to Titanium or Ambassador status, but that’s the point. It preserves brand differentiation while still ensuring that every night you stay now counts for something. For road warriors, international travelers, and anyone piecing together shorter stays at these brands, this change removes an unnecessary penalty.
If you visit countries with a multitude of these properties — like South Africa's homegrown Protea brand — you'll be thankful that Marriott made the change.
- Our best offer is back and better than ever! Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
- 2026 Exclusive Offer: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC
- 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3X points for every $1 spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 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 Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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